A service to carry out small repairs and maintenance jobs within people’s homes and their immediate external environment has been extended.

The handyvan service which is run by Cestria Community Housing was launched last year and is already proving to be a huge success with tenants. 

The original criteria to access the service was restricted to tenants aged over 60 years old. However, the Chester-le-Street based housing association which owns and manages the former district council housing stock, has now extended the criteria so that all of Cestria tenants can benefit.

Jim Newton who is responsible for delivering the service said: “It has been very popular with tenants especially those who are vulnerable or registered disabled. It is ideal for tenants who need small repair jobs doing around the house and now that it is available to all tenants, I hope even more will access this service.”

Despite the extension, priority will still be given to help elderly, disabled and vulnerable tenants who need help carrying out minor repairs and improvements that make their lives easier to manage.

The service covers jobs which are not Cestria’s responsibility, such as:

The only services that are not covered by the handyvan service are any work connected to gas, plastering and working at height.

If the repair work that needs doing is the tenant’s own responsibility, the cost of the service is £10 per hour inclusive of VAT plus the cost of any materials used.