Positive Ageing - Good Homes Project

Sometimes people put off repairs and maintenance around their homes because they find it too hard to organise or they are worried at the likely cost. But there can be a greater cost – to personal health and safety – when a house is cold, uncomfortable or unsafe.

The Good Homes Project has created three practical checklists to help people to assess whether repairs or maintenance work is needed on their property.

One checklist provides an easy way for to work out whether there are jobs that really need to be done; looking at things like whether external lights are working properly and whether steps are level, well-marked and non-slip, to fire and earthquake risk factors.

These checklists are available free on-line at www.goodhomes.co.nz

There’s also a ‘solutions’ section with tips about getting repairs done. The Good Homes Project suggests:

• Talking to family or friends about who they use and the quality of their work
• Going to Citizens Advice Bureau, RSA, Age Concern or Grey Power for a list of local tradespeople
• Always getting at least two written quotes for a job - unless you know the tradesperson well and are confident in their work.

Contact Work and Income (WINZ) if you cannot afford to get the work done; you may qualify for help to pay for essential house repairs. Ph: 0800 552 002 or go to www.workandincome.govt.nz