Our Projects

Your property will be assessed and, depending on the age and condition of your current facilities, will determine whether you receive a kitchen/bathroom or both simultaneously.

We will review your kitchen and bathroom after a period of 25 years.

Our surveyor will complete a detailed plan of your kitchen/bathroom and agree on the design with you.

An install manager will be present to establish if any preparatory works may be required before the installation and answer any questions you may have about the process. A copy of the agreed design and choices will be left with you at the end of the process. It will not be possible to make any changes to the plan after this time.

For each installation, we usually advise five working days; however, we may require access to your property at a later date to complete any snagging items.

A typical kitchen installation will comprise of:

• Replacement wall and base units (tenant choice available);
• Replacement worktops (tenant choice available);
• Replacement 1 ½ bowl stainless steel sink with mixer lever taps;
• Decorative wall boarding between the worktop and wall units;
• Installation of decorative glass splashback at cooker space;
• Installation of extractor fan;
• Upgrading of electrical sockets and replacement light fitting;
• Installation of vinyl floor covering (tenant choice available);
• Decoration of walls and ceiling (tenant choice available).

A typical bathroom installation will comprise of:

• Replacement sanitary goods including bath, shower cubicle, washbasin and WC;
• Replacement chrome mixer lever taps;
• Installation of extractor fan;
• Electrical upgrading and replacement light fitting;
• Over bath shower and shower curtain;
• Waterproof wallboard to all walls (tenant choice available);
• Installation of decorative ceiling panels (tenant choice available);
• Installation of vinyl floor covering (tenant choice available).

Tenant's Guide to the Kitchen and Bathroom replacement (PDF, 258 KB)(opens new window)

Local Authorities must provide tenants with a home that is both wind and watertight and meets the tolerable standard requirements as set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.

We may refurbish or replace your windows to ensure we meet this obligation.

We typically expect windows to last 25 years before needing to be renewed.

The work will take around two days to complete.

What will happen

• The surveyor will visit the property for up to 1 hour.
• You will be advised, by letter, of proposed dates for the work.  It may be delayed by weather, wherein additional dates will be notified.
• Scaffolding and access equipment may be erected.
• Removal of Windows and doors (as applicable).
• Installation of new windows/doors.
• A demonstration of the window operation.
• We will inspect the work and ask you to complete a satisfaction survey.

Tenant's Guide to the Window and Door replacement (PDF, 112 KB)(opens new window)

The heating system in your home is old and needs to be replaced. We typically expect heating systems to last 15 years before needing to be renewed. A new system could reduce fuel bills and make your home more comfortable.

We will complete a survey of your property to decide which system is best for your property and will discuss the proposed installation with you.

The work should take no more than two working days, and the council will notify you of any delays.

What work is involved in the central heating replacement?

• The council will remove your existing boiler, hot water cylinder and tanks in the loft (only where possible). Old fittings will be removed directly from the site.
• Wherever possible, a new high-efficiency combination (combi) boiler will be installed on an external wall in your property. The council may need to re-site or remove some wall units to make room for it. A plastic pipe will be connected to your new boiler to take away water produced by the boiler in condensing mode.
• There will be no requirement for a hot water tank as a combination (combi) boiler is installed, as this provides instant hot water.
• New thermostatic valves will be fitted to all radiators (except in the hallway, which does not need one). This will allow you to control the temperature in each room.
• New heating and hot water controls will be fitted. You will be shown how to adjust the controls should you wish to change the settings in future.

More information can be found on the Central Improvement leaflet (PDF, 142 KB)(opens new window).

As part of the planned work to install new cavity fill insulation and upgrade or install loft insulation (where required) to your home, we will also carry out the following work:

• Erect scaffold or access equipment
• Drill holes in the exterior of the building.

West Lothian Council have a statutory duty to complete periodic electrical inspections in all of our tenants' homes every five years.

Electrical installations deteriorate with use and age, so inspections are required to confirm they continue operating in a safe and serviceable condition.

You must provide access to your home and have credit in your meters. We may force entry to your home if access if not given. The work should not take any longer than four hours to complete.

What is involved during the Electrical Periodic Inspection?

The inspection will assess the condition of the wiring and associated fixed electrical equipment to ensure they are safe. The inspection is non-intrusive and will:

• Reveal if any of your electrical wiring, sockets, switches, circuits, currents, fuses or equipment are overloaded.
• Find any potential risks from electrical shocks or thermal or fire hazards in your electrical installations.
• Identify any defective earthing, bonding, voltage or electrical works.
• Carry out any urgent or minor remedial works in your property.
• Please note that if the electrician identifies repairs requiring a more detailed investigation, non-urgent but more extensive repairs, they will arrange a follow-up appointment with you on a suitable date and time that meets your needs.
• To minimise disruption, we will attempt to inspect other works such as gas servicing or smoke and heat alarm installation.

More information can be found on the Periodic Testing leaflet (PDF, 156 KB)(opens new window).

West Lothian Council was recognised as one of five local authorities to fully comply with the new interlinked smoke alarms legislation, which came into effect in February 2022. We want to thank all of our tenants for providing access and allowing us to ensure our homes comply with the latest fire safety legislation.

Smoke and heat detectors will be replaced on a 10-year cycle. 

What work is involved during the smoke and heat detector installations?

Where the existing alarms in your home are not compatible with interlinked detectors or are reaching their expiry date, they will be removed and new ones installed.

The new standard requires that:

• One smoke alarm in the most frequently used areas, typically the living room/ lounge
• One smoke alarm in a used daytime living place, typically living room/lounge in each storey, typically the hallways/landings
• One heat alarm installed in every kitchen
• All alarms must be either mains-operated or tamper-proof long-life lithium battery alarms
• The alarms are to be ceiling mounted & interlinked
• You will be shown how to work the alarms and how to test the alarms
• To minimise disruption, we will attempt to fit these alarms alongside other works such as gas servicing or periodic electrical checks

More information can be found on the Smoke and Heat Detectors (PDF, 134 KB)(opens new window).

Cyclical maintenance covers work done to maintain the general condition of the property and some communal fittings. It includes:

• external painting 
• internal decoration of communal areas such as stairwells and entrance halls
• general repairs to boundary fences and paths
• checking, repairing, and replacing guttering and downpipes.

What is a stock condition survey?
A 'Stock Condition Survey' is an inspection of the outside and inside of your home.  These help us to assess the age and condition of each building element, so we can plan possible future improvements.

Why are we doing stock condition surveys?
A stock condition survey helps us to comply with the Government's  Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) and Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH).  It helps ensure all homes are safe and maintained to the standard.

What will we be checking?
External - the roof, rainwater goods, walls, windows, doors, fences and paths
Internal - kitchen, bathroom, heating system, electrics and insulation.
We will also make a note of the general structure of the property (both internal and external) and any communal areas.
The survey takes around 30 minutes for a flat and up to 60 minutes for a house. Ideally, we will need access to all rooms in your home, and some photos will be taken during the survey but not of your personal possessions.

This survey does not collect information on any outstanding repairs to your home.  If you need to report a repair, please do this in the normal way VIA the repairs HUB

When will my home be surveyed?
We aim to inspect as many of our properties as possible on a 5-year rolling programme.
 

Why is this work being carried out to my tenancy?
Like most things, roof and roughcast has a limited lifespan and requires to be replaced in order to preserve the properties weatherproof envelope by keeping it securely wind and watertight. These works are not only essential, but will also improve the external facade of your property, making it more aesthetically pleasing.

What works are involved in the Roof & Roughcast Replacement?
In advance of any works being carried out, it is essential that you provide access where requested, to facilitate Asbestos Surveyors, Architects and Structural engineers - (where Building Warrants are required). It may also be necessary to extract the existing cavity wall insulation installed and refill before any Roof and Roughcast works commence. At each step of this process, please be assured that you will be kept fully informed, covering any concerns that you may have. Please be assured, that we aim to minimise any disruption and inconvenience through these work projects.

More information is available from the Roof and Roughcast Replacement works guide (PDF, 808 KB)(opens new window).