How home improvements have made a real difference for Patricia
Patricia, 80, has been an Ongo tenant for more than eight years and says she couldn’t be happier with her home, her community, and the recent improvements made to her property.
After moving back to the UK from Turkey, Patricia chose to settle close to her family and quickly felt at home.
“It’s a lovely area and everything I need is nearby,” said Patricia. “If I couldn’t get out and drive, I’d still be able to access shops and amenities easily. When I first moved in, so many people stopped to say hello and make me feel welcome. It’s a really friendly community.”
As part of our investment programme, Patricia recently had a new roof installed, along with additional insulation to help improve the energy efficiency of her home.
“The difference in how it looks is incredible,” she said. “Before, the roof was almost solid with moss and everything looked tired. The path was dirty too. Now it all looks fresh and modern.”
“I love driving up, parking outside and looking at my nice new roof. It’s really modernised it and made it look so much better.”
With winter approaching, Patricia is hopeful the extra insulation will make a noticeable difference.
“I’m looking forward to seeing if it helps keep the house warmer and reduces my bills. That will be a real benefit.”
Patricia praised the team who carried out the work and the communication she received throughout the project.
“The contractors were great. They worked through some very hot weather over the summer and were always polite and considerate.”
“Tracey was brilliant as well. She kept me informed with phone calls, texts and visits to the door. If I ever had a question, there was always someone I could ask.”
For Patricia, having a landlord that listens and supports its tenants makes all the difference.
“I think it’s brilliant that we can always get in touch and get information. Knowing there’s someone just a phone call away takes away a lot of stress.”
She also recalled an example of a member of staff going above and beyond.
“One of the electricians came to do some work and noticed I was struggling to reach some dust in the hallway, so he helped me clean it. I also pointed out a switch that wasn’t part of the job and he fixed it there and then. He didn’t have to, but he was more than happy to help.”
Patricia would encourage other tenants who are due to receive home improvements not to worry.
“It’s natural to feel a bit nervous beforehand, but you’re kept informed throughout and there’s always somebody there to answer questions. At the end of the day, you’re getting improvements that make your home more comfortable and bring it up to date. I have no complaints at all.”
We are committed to ensuring that every tenant lives in a safe, secure, and well-maintained home. Each year, they invest millions into upgrades like new kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, and insulation – improvements that make a real difference to people’s lives.
If your home is on this year’s programme of works, we’ll be in touch to let you know. Further information about how we approach planned works to your home can be found here.