THE final phase of a multi million pound, comprehensive modernisation and improvement programme is underway at Magna West Somerset Housing Association properties.
Almost £16 million has already been spent on internal and external repairs since Magna took over the housing stock from West Somerset District Council in 1998.
Now a further £2 million is being spent during 2002-03 on the next stage of a combination of internal and external renewal and property upgrading to some 900 homes.
Magna property services are already on site at homes in Exmoor and Quantock villages.
Work starts shortly on properties in Williton, Watchet, Minehead and district, and on homes around Blue Anchor Bay in the autumn, with surveys on each home dictating the extent of the work to be done.
Externally, this could include repairing and redecorating, render repairs and guttering, and installing new windows. Inside, work could include renewing ceilings, upgrading kitchens, bathrooms and electrics. Tenants are being consulted on a choice of flooring and wall colourings as well as kitchen worktop finishes.
Magna technical services manager Ian Hancock said: "We are approaching the end of the five-year catch-up repair programme, but that is not the end.
"A stock condition survey is being carried out shortly on every single property and we will be looking at what needs to be done over the next five years.
"Improvements are likely to include further window replacement, installing more heating systems, and looking at energy efficiency, so that homes are cheaper to run."
Repairs so far have included re-roofing 122 houses, fitting new UPVC windows to 196 properties, installing well over 200 new central heating systems, rewiring and other internal modernisation work since transfer of the properties from West Somerset District Council.
Magna has also rebuilt or refurbished all PRC houses, with work about to start on the remaining six. Major sewerage treatment work has also been carried out at three village locations.
Mr Hancock said: "We are keeping the key promises made to tenants at transfer which are to increase spending on all repairs and bring all homes up to a good standard within five years.
"The amount of spend highlights our commitment to a system of effective maintenance and repairs that result in a high standard of housing for all tenants."