What is the Handyperson service?

Up to 4 hours free help per year

The Handyperson Service is available to Soha tenants who are 70 and over, living in general needs accommodation and who do not have help at hand.

The purpose of the handyperson service is to:

• Help elderly tenants with repairs they might otherwise not be able to do or afford to pay a contractor to do.
• Give our older tenants peace of mind that they will get a good job done by a trustworthy and professional operative.
• Check whether any other assistance is required from Soha, such as planned work, repairs, gardening work etc.

The amount of work the handyperson will carry out in each home will be limited to a maximum of 4 hours per property per year.

The work will be free of charge but if a request is too time consuming or complex we may refer you to a costed service.

Requests for work will be prioritised based on the nature of the work required and the tenant’s circumstances.

What sort of work can be done?

• Door and window repairs and adjustments.
• Small scale wall and floor tiling.
• Unblocking drains.
• Minor electrical work e.g. changing bulbs, plugs, sockets and switches.
• Re-pointing/ re-bedding bricks, paving slabs etc. responsibly.
• Additional draught proofing.
• Painting, decorating and plaster work (on a small scale only).
• Fitting Shelving and cupboards.
• Clearing gardens – if not extensive.
• Assembling flat pack furniture.
• Fitting disabled ramps.
• Hanging pictures, fitting plaques, door bells, signs etc.
• Fitting curtain battens/ poles etc.
• Minor carpentry work.
• Minor plumbing work.

Urgent work where there is a risk to the tenant, such as trip hazards, will be given priority over less urgent work such as hanging picture frames.

Tenants will be expected to provide all materials required to carry out the work. Soha will provide the labour, tools and any equipment. The Soha handyperson will also carry a stock of small items such as nails, screws, wall plugs, sandpaper etc. that will be provided free of charge as required.

Soha will guarantee the handyperson’s workmanship and any materials we provide for one year. We are unable to guarantee any materials provided by the tenant.

Are there any jobs that cannot be undertaken by this service?

• No gas work can be undertaken, or any work that is to any part of the heating and hot water system.
• No major plumbing or notifiable electrical work will be possible using this service without specific permission.
• No work will be carried out that will structurally alter the house in any way. There may be a few jobs where we may grant permission via our tenant alteration process before undertaking (e.g. blocking up an existing internal doorway).
• The Handyperson service does not cover works that would be part of our normal maintenance service.
• No work will be allowed in the loft.
• Doors, windows, drains etc. that are not the tenant’s responsibility.

How do I access the handyperson service?

If you would like some work carried out in your home please contact Jane Cox, Soha Estates and Neighbourhoods Manager, on 01235 515900.