Internal decoration scheme for Council tenants

The decorating of rooms within a Council home is the responsibility of the tenant or tenants, even in sheltered accommodation. However, we recognise that for some tenants this causes difficulties, both financially and physically. Through the Pride Project, we provide a self-financing internal decorating scheme for tenants. Two prices are available through the scheme, one for emulsion (painting) a room and one for stripping and re-hanging wallpaper.

What are the costs for the two types of work?

Please note: These charges will be reviewed and recalculated annually to take into consideration any increases in contractor charges and inflation.

Every July, the contractor advises on their price increases, which in 2009/10 amounted to a seven percent increase.

Rooms Emulsion Weekly charge Wallpaper Weekly charge

52 weeks

104 weeks

52 weeks

104 weeks

Living room / dining room

£421.77

£8.11

£4.06

£610.46

£11.74

£5.87

Bedroom

£341.25

£6.56

£3.28

£475.86

£9.15

£4.58

Hall

£285.97

£5.50

£2.75

£394.14

£7.58

£3.79

Hall, stairs and landing

£693.38

£13.33

£6.67

£1,002.25

£19.27

£9.64

Kitchen

£285.97

£5.50

£2.75

£313.61

£6.03

£3.02

Bathroom

£259.52

£34.99

£2.50

£285.97

£5.50

£2.75

Toilet

£177.80

£3.42

£1.71

£231.89

£4.46

£2.23

All tenants are eligible for this scheme as long as they don't currently have any housing debt or rent arrears, and have had no rent arrears for the past six months. If you would like more information about the scheme, please contact Tenant and Leaseholder Services on 01483 755855.

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What does the cost include?

  • Emulsion to ceiling.
  • Emulsion to walls or wallpaper.
  • Emulsion to coving.
  • Gloss to skirting.
  • Gloss to all doors and windows as required.

By taking advantage of this service, you will not attract the VAT that an independent contractor would add to the cost of decorating a room.

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How can I pay for the decoration to my home?

The total cost of the decoration to your home will be set up as a recharge and we will give you a payment book to pay the minimum weekly charge for the work we carry out, over a two year (24 month) maximum period. You can pay off larger amounts or pay in full if you want to.

Please note: This charge will not attract Housing Benefit.

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What choice of paper and paint would I have?

A wide choice of paint colours will be available to select from, and the cost of the paint is included in the total and weekly costs given in the table.

Wallpaper can be chosen from a book but you can also provide the paper yourself. There will be no cost deduction if you do this and you must ensure you have enough paper to decorate the room.

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Who is eligible for this scheme?

Any tenant who has no arrears at present and has none for the last six months can use this service.

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How many rooms can I have decorated at once?

Eligible tenants can have a maximum of two rooms decorated at a time, and the work must befully paid for before they have any more rooms decorated.

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What happens if I fail to keep to the payment arrangement?

If you fail to pay the weekly charge and clear the debt, this could result in legal action through Guildford County Court by a Money Judgement Order.

Please note: Tenants will not be able to transfer or exchange their home until the debt is paid in full.

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Contact us

If you are interest in this scheme or have any questions about it, please contact us:

  • by telephone to our switchboard on 01483 755855 and asking for Tenant and Leaseholder Services

  • email: T&L@woking.gov.uk

  • or write to us at:

Woking Borough Council
Tenant and Leaseholder Services
Civic Offices
Gloucester Square
Woking
Surrey
GU21 6YL