What we're doing
We’re replacing windows in council homes where the current windows have reached the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced.
We are legally required to make sure that council homes meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS), and the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) set by the Scottish Government.
SHQS is the main way Scottish Government measure housing quality in Scotland.
EESSH is a standard for improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, fuel poverty, and the emission of greenhouse gases in council homes.
We know that making these improvements to your home will be disruptive, but we’ll make sure support is available where it’s needed during the works.
Costs
There are no costs for council tenants to have their windows replaced.
Who'll get new windows
We’ll survey every council home. If your windows need replacing, we’ll put in new ones. Not all homes will get new windows.
Home survey
Maintenance, Supply and Install (MSI) Scotland, our contracted partners for the work, will survey your home to see if any window replacements need to be done. They may also do an asbestos test in older buildings.
They will go through any proposed works with you in more detail during the survey. You can ask any questions or tell them anything they need to know, like any relevant medical conditions, or times and dates when you won’t be at home.
Once they have surveyed your home and decided if you need to have your windows replaced:
- they'll write to you with a date for when the contractor will start work in your home
- you’ll get at least 7 days’ notice of the date the works will begin.
You must confirm if this date is suitable or tell us of any times where you will not be available because of holidays, appointments or other reasons, and ask for another date and time.
Before your windows are replaced
Make sure everyone in your home, including any visitors, knows the works are going on, and advise them to be careful.
Let us know if there are any elderly, infirm and or disabled persons who need special assistance or respite care while the work is being done.
Before the contractors arrive, remove all personal items away from windows and windowsills including ornaments, photos, blinds, and curtains.
Contents insurance
The contractor carries all required insurance. However, we recommend you have your own contents insurance to represent you in any claim or dispute. We advise you to take all reasonable measures to protect your belongings from accidental damage.
If you’re a council tenant, you can join the AVIVA home contents insurance scheme or make your own arrangements for home contents insurance.
What happens during the installation
Access to your home
The contractor will arrive each day between 8am and 9am, so all access to your windows must be clear.
All contractors and council employees carry identification (ID), and they must show this to you before they enter your home.
They can only work in your home between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, unless they have permission from you and the council to work outside of these hours.
You must allow the contractors access to your property to replace the windows. If they cannot access your property at the agreed time, or there is no one at home, then we’ll need to reschedule the installation.
During the work
They will protect your home as much as possible during the work with clean dust sheets and will clean up at the end of each working day.
You’ll have a contact person throughout the works who you can phone, and an out-of-hours emergency contact number if needed.
Always supervise children and pets while the work is in progress.
How long it will take
It normally takes around 2 working days to remove and replace windows, but it will depend on the size of your home. The contractors will give you an estimate of how long they think it will take.
While we aim to finish within the planned timescales, it may take longer if we identify unforeseen issues.
The contractor will make sure you are kept up to date on this at the end of each working day.
After your windows have been replaced
MSI will inspect the windows to make sure they are completed to our satisfaction and address any concerns you have around the installation, the quality of the work, or general snagging issues.
If necessary, they will arrange for any necessary plasterwork to be done by MP Group. We’ll also let MP Group know if there is additional décor required for windows with MDF sills.
When the work is complete, the contractor is liable for addressing any issues or defects relating to the installation of the windows for a period of 1 year.
After this point, you can report any issues to us on 0300 300 0300 to arrange for a repairs person to come to your home and assess the issue.