Tenants getting paid to carry out home DIY jobs

People renting properties in Essex are being offered rent holidays if they agree to carry out DIY jobs in return.

Tenants of the housing association Home Group have the chance to take part in the scheme and save up to £500 a year by carrying out home improvement work such as fixing leaky taps, laying flooring, tiling and wallpapering rooms.

According to a report by the Braintree Chronicle, 34 tenants have so far signed up to the initiative. The Home Group said it expects hundreds of its other tenants across Essex, North Yorkshire and Cumbria to also take part.

Stephen Bartlett, who had £430 knocked off his rent after getting out his hammer and drill, said the scheme was a good incentive for people to keep their home in good condition.

He said: "We've always looked after our property but it's perhaps an incentive for people who don't.

"I would not say I'm brilliant at DIY but we said we had no problem doing any minor repairs ourselves."