New kitchens are to be installed in 67 Housing Executive homes in east Belfast, in a project worth £273,000, it has been announced.

The homes involved were all built between 1980 and 1986, and comprise two, three and five bedroom houses, and two bedroom flats.

Electrical and plumbing installations will be upgraded and new floor covering and mechanical extract fans will be provided.

Each property will also be fitted with a mains wired smoke alarm with lithium battery backup in the hall, landings and living room with provision of heat detectors to kitchens.

The kitchens are being installed under our new EGAN style approach to planned maintenance which ensures the contractor works closely with tenants to ensure a higher quality service.

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A Tenant Liaison Officer has been employed to work alongside our Schemes Officer; dealing with the whole process of consultation, improvement works and finishing touches.

Alice Mills, NIHE's East Belfast Assistant District Manager, said: "We want to provide our tenants with the best possible service we can in terms of quality, efficiency, value for money and customer satisfaction.

"This new contract requires high performance standards from the contractor, and performance will be monitored closely and assessed on a regular basis.

"The contractor will be aiming for zero defects and, with the appointment of the Tenant Liaison Officer to work closely with the Housing Executive staff and tenants, this should be achieved," added Ms Mills.

Sean McCaughan, of PK Murphy Construction Ltd, contracted to complete the scheme, said: "We are very glad to be completing the kitchen replacements in the Newtownards Road area, and will ensure that the work carried out will be done so in liaison with tenants and to the highest standards."

The scheme at Vicarage/Glenallen has a contract value of £273,977.19 and will be carried out by PK Murphy Construction Ltd.

Work is expected to take 17 weeks to complete in the following Glenallen Street; Harvey Court; Kathleen Drive; Martin Street; and Vicarage Street.

(PR/JM)