The terms are listed in alphabetical order. Click on the following links or scroll down the page.

AMP (agreed maximum price)
Bathroom renewal
Boiler renewal, individual systems
Cavity wall insulation
Central heating renewal – individual systems
Clerk of works (COW)
Client representative (CR)
Communal boiler renewal
Communal decoration
Communal lighting
Considerate Constructors Scheme
Constructor
Contract period
Decent Homes standard
Defects liability period
Environmental works
Feasibility surveys
Framework agreement
Homes for Islington standard
Kitchen renewal
Lateral mains renewal
Lift refurbishment and/or renewal
Mechanical fan installation
Partnering adviser
Project officer (PO)
Project partnering agreement (PPA)
Project partnering team (PPT)
Project partnering timetable
Quantity surveyor (QS)
Resident liaison officer (RLO)
Rewiring, internal
Roof repair/renewal
Security works
Site compound
Site manager
Snagging
Steering group
Structural repairs
Sustainability budget
Underpinning
Window repair/renewal

AMP (agreed maximum price)
The price that is agreed after HFI, the constructor and residents have worked up the detail of the project. The final cost of the project should not normally exceed this price.

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Bathroom renewal
Where bathrooms in HFI tenanted properties do not comply with the Decent Homes Standard or are likely to fail before 2010, new bathroom fittings will be installed. Tenants will be fully consulted on proposals and choices will be offered. (Not applicable to leasehold dwellings)

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Boiler renewal, individual systems
Renewal of gas fired central heating boilers where these have reached the end of their serviceable life. Other components e.g. radiators and programmers/controls will not be replaced. (Not applicable to leasehold dwellings)

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Cavity wall insulation
The installation of thermal insulation between the external and internal leaves of cavity walls. This improves thermal comfort and reduces fuel bills. Although HFI aims to undertake this work as part of its commitment to achieving Decent Homes Standard, it is only possible where the existing building construction permits.

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Central heating renewal – individual systems
Renewal of complete gas fired central heating systems where these have reached the end of their serviceable life. All other components, e.g., radiators and programmers/controls will be replaced as part of the works. (Not applicable to leasehold dwellings)

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Clerk of works (COW)
Employed by HFI to ensure that the constructor’s work is of the required quality. Under the project partnering agreement it is the constructor’s role to ensure that work is of the specified quality. The clerk of works typically undertakes random sample inspections and checks that the Constructor’s quality control systems are adequate.

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Client representative (CR)
The name given to the architect/surveyor under the project partnering agreement.

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Communal boiler renewal
Renewal of the boilers that serve communal heating systems.

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Communal decoration
The redecoration of the exterior of the building, common hallways, staircases and foyers, etc. The renewal of floor coverings is often included where required.

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Communal lighting
The renewal of communal light fittings, generally with vandal resistant, low energy fittings. Works may include the introduction of new lighting points and/or the re-siting of existing fittings to improve security.

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Considerate Constructors Scheme
The considerate constructors scheme is a voluntary scheme and aims to present a more positive image of the construction industry. It does this by constructors committing themselves to higher standards of site cleanliness, improved site safety, better site housekeeping and traffic management, a reduction in their impact in the local community and the wider environment.

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Constructor
The name given to a building contractor under the project partnering agreement (PPA).

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Contract period
The period from inception to completion of the works.

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Decent Homes Standard
Standards of repair and comfort set by central government for all public sector housing. All public sector housing is required to meet the standards by the end of December 2010.

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Defects liability period
The period, (generally 12 months from hand over of the works), during which defective work will be remedied by the constructor.

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Environmental works
Works to the external areas of estates. These may include any or all of the following subject to budgetary restrictions:

• Landscaping
• Accessibility works
• Paving repairs
• Fencing
• Parking space marking
• Refurbishment or repair of play equipment

The selection and design of environmental work is always the subject of consultation with residents. Works may be funded from sustainability budgets.

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Feasibility surveys
These are surveys undertaken on sample properties in order to make an initial assessment of work requirements. Detailed work specifications are generally developed once a constructor has been appointed for the project, in the period leading to the agreed maximum price (AMP).

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Framework agreement
An agreement between HFI and a number of constructors to work together in a spirit of partnership for a set period of years.

The selection of the constructors that HFI work with was based on a combination of their prices and their commitment to the provision of quality service and work. A panel of residents and HFI technical staff were involved in the selection process.

The advantages of working in this way are that we build long-term relationships with constructors who understand our requirements in relation to quality of service and work. We do not have to repeat the learning process every time we start a new project.

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Homes for Islington standard
Repair/improvement standards set by HFI. These standards are over and above those required by the government’s Decent Homes Standards.

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Kitchen renewal
Where kitchens in HFI tenanted properties do not comply with the Decent Homes Standard or are likely to fail before 2010, new fitted kitchens will be installed. Tenants will be fully consulted on proposals and choices of finish will be offered. (Not applicable to leasehold dwellings)

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Lateral mains renewal
The re-wiring of the mains supplies to individual dwellings from the electricity supply company's intake board. The great majority of the work is done in communal areas, but access is required to individual dwellings in order to make the final connection to the distribution panel (fuse board).

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Lift refurbishment and/or renewal
Repairs or renewals to lift engineering and/or renewal or refurbishment of lift cars.

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Mechanical fan installation
Where windows are being renewed mechanical extractor fans are generally installed in kitchens and bathrooms to reduce the risk of condensation. (Optional in leasehold dwellings)

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Partnering adviser
A professional from within the construction industry whose role is to ensure that all members of the Project Partnering Team work effectively together. They advise on technical aspects of the Project Partnering Agreement and help the team to draw up the Project Partnering Timetable.

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Project officer (PO)
The HFI staff member who formally commissions the work, is responsible for driving the project forward and who directs the resident consultation process.

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Project partnering agreement (PPA)
The legal form of contract now used by HFI and its Constructors to undertake major works.

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Project partnering team (PPT)
The team of professionals who work together to develop and implement the project. The PPT includes the Project Officer (PO), Client Representative (CR), Quantity Surveyor (QS), Partnering Advisor (PA) and the Constructor.

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Project partnering timetable
The programme for the project that sets out the anticipated dates when the major events are scheduled to take place.

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Quantity surveyor (QS)
The surveyor who is responsible for cost control and valuation of works. It is normal to have a QS on the Constructor side and one who works for HFI.

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Resident liaison officer (RLO)
Employed by the constructor to make arrangements with residents regarding access for the works, etc.

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Rewiring, internal
The re-wiring of ring mains and lighting circuits within individual flats. (Not applicable to leasehold dwellings)

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Roof repair/renewal
Roofs will be subject to detailed inspection. Results of inspections will determine whether repairs or complete renewals are required. As it is essential that all HFI properties meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010, decisions on action to be taken will take account of likely deterioration up to that date. Roof coverings will generally match existing except in the case of flat roofs where upgraded specifications may be applied.

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Security works
The installation of measures to improve resident security.

These may include any or all of the following subject to budgetary restrictions:

• CCTV installation
• Concierge works
• Improved communal lighting
• Automatic door control systems
• Re-design of landscaping to improve lines of sight

The selection and design of security work is always the subject of consultation with residents. Works may be funded from sustainability budgets.

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Site compound
The secure area where the constructor’s offices and/or materials storage area for the works are located.

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Site manager
Employed by the constructor responsible for:

• Management of work on site.
• Responsibility for the subcontractors and sequencing of works.
• Responsibility for checking the standard of workmanship prior to inspection by the clerk of works

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Snagging
An inspection of works that are virtually complete in order to prepare a list (snagging list) of works that need to be completed before the work is certified as complete.

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Steering group
A regular meeting that provides residents with the opportunity to ‘have their say’ about scope and delivery of works etc. Steering group membership includes:

• Tenant management organisation representative (on TMO managed estates)
• Tenant and resident association representative (if there is a recognised TRA - tenant and resident association)
• Other resident representatives
• Project officer
• Client representative
• Constructor (usually site agent and liaison officer)

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Structural repairs
These may include repairs to spalling concrete (where concrete has lost it’s adhesion and is falling away from the surface of the structure), repairs to brickwork including re-pointing the cement mortar joints and cutting out and renewing any badly damaged bricks.

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Sustainability budget
A budget that is used to supplement the budget for each Decent Homes scheme. It is used to pay for works that would normally be outside the scope of Decent Homes works, but which residents feel would materially enhance the scheme and contribute to the useful life of the major works.

The choice and design of sustainability work is always the subject of consultation with residents.

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Underpinning
Repairs to foundations (usually where these have been affected by subsidence)

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Window repair/renewal
Windows will be subject to detailed inspection. Results of inspections will determine whether repairs or complete renewals are required. As it is essential that all HFI properties meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010, decisions on action to be taken will take account of likely deterioration up to that date. Where replacement is required, replacement windows will generally be double-glazed. The type of windows and material they are made from will be the subject of consultation with residents and Islington Planners.

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