The Group Repair Scheme - Northern Ireland Housing Executive

THE 

GROUP 

REPAIR 

SCHEME

“The Group Repair Scheme is a very fine example of partnership 

working effectively and not only has the scheme improved homes 

and living conditions, but its unique nature has greatly enhanced the 

image of neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland.” Brian Rowntree, 

Chairman, Housing Executive at a Group Repair scheme in Castlederg.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive carried out the 

first Group Repair Scheme to 4 homes in St James Road, 

Belfast in 995. 

Since then the Group Repair has been carried out to a 

further ,00 properties throughout Northern Ireland at 

a cost of over £4 million. 

The Group Repair Scheme enables the Housing Executive 

to help landlords and owner occupiers improve the 

external fabric of terraced houses. 

Typically work includes the provision of new roofs and 

guttering, window and door replacement, and work to 

chimneys, walls and front and rear boundaries. 

We have developed Group Repair to assist rural and 

urban regeneration and encourage owners to follow-up 

the work with any necessary internal improvements. 

This booklet shows the improvements that can be made 

through the Group Repair Scheme and outlines how the 

scheme works.

Before Group Repair

After Group Repair 

East Street, Donaghadee



Glenville Road, Whiteabbey

There are specific requirements for homes to be included 

in a Group Repair Scheme: 

• Each scheme must include at least four adjoining 

dwellings (a terrace). 

• At least 5% of the homes must be in disrepair, this 

means that the work required to the external structure 

is beyond the scope of routine maintenance. 

• At least 5% of households to be included should be 

dependent on a qualifying state benefit. 

• Homes involved in the scheme should have a 0 year 

life span after completion. 

Before work can begin a number of issues must be resolved: 

• There must be agreement from all participants for the 

work to take place. 

• Scheme costs will be determined through an external 

survey of each property with costs agreed in advance 

of commencement. 

• The estimated costs to the owner will be determined 

by the amount of works required.



Hesketh Park, Belfast



St. Patrick’s Street, Draperstown



Railway Terrace, Castlederg

The Housing Executive appoints an approved contractor 

to carry out the work. The scheme will be supervised by a 

technical offcer acting for the Housing Executive for the 

duration of the scheme. 

A Contract Administrator is responsible for surveying 

the properties, preparing proposals for each house, 

producing documents for contractors to price the work 

through competitive tendering and managing the 

contract on site. 

The Development Offcer will carry out the consultation 

with residents and liaise with them throughout the 

duration of the scheme.



Sunnyside Street, Belfast



York Drive, Belfast

The aim of Group Repairs is to improve the external fabric 

of private sector dwellings. 

Works may include: 

• Roof 

• Repair of brick work 

• Chimneys 

• External doors 

• Windows 

• Rain water goods 

• Rear yard walls 

• Garden fences 

• Walls and railings. 

The contractor will be appointed by the Housing 

Executive following competitive tendering. 

The contractor will have a foreman on site during the 

time when the work is being carried out. He will act as the 

contractor’s representative on site. 

A Clerk of Works is employed by the Housing Executive 

to assist the contract administrator in ensuring the 

contractor carries out work to the required standards.

Before Group Repair 

, Catherine Street


Red Row, Drumaness

Some comments from residents: 

“We are really pleased that our home is included in the 

Group Repair scheme… it’s an excellent scheme which 

will improve and add value to our home.” 

“Our homes and properties have been given a new lease 

of life and the whole town looks better than it has done 

for many years”. 

“This Group Repair scheme has brightened up these 

three particular terraces and given them a complete 

makeover”. 

Ann Blease, the Housing Executive’s Group Repair Manager: 

“As the regional housing authority for Northern Ireland, 

the Housing Executive has a responsibility to help 

bring about improvements to homes across all housing 

tenures. Initiatives such as private sector grants and the 

Group Repair scheme ensure that homeowners have 

the opportunity to maintain their properties to modern 

day standards. Group Repair particularly encourages 

neighbours to come together so that their homes can 

benefit from work at the same time.”



Canal Street, Newry



Glen Crescent, Belfast



Church Street, Downpatrick



Portallo Street, Belfast

THE 

GROUP 

REPAIR 

SCHEME 

For further information on the scheme 

contact the Group Repair Unit at 

044 90 900 

www.nihe.gov.uk 

October 00

The Group Repair Scheme - Northern Ireland Housing Executive

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