The biggest project will be the replacement of 120 older bathrooms across Dalkeith-based Melville’s Midlothian stock.

The investment will also pay for new kitchens, heating systems and replacement roofs.

John McMorrrow, who took over as Melville chief executive in January, said: “The past 12 months have been challenging for all of us and we still have some catching up to do on last year’s programme.

“The ongoing pandemic has obviously had an impact but our contractors will be doing their best to catch up and then deliver the programme for the new year, helping us deliver on our promise to provide homes that are of a good quality, but at the same time affordable.”

This year’s home improvement programme builds on the successes of recent years which, since 2018, has seen more than 500 new kitchens fitted across Melville’s stock.

Details of Melville’s 2021/22 planned maintenance programme are currently being finalised.

All Melville tenants due a home upgrade will be contacted closer to the time. Details will also be available online through the tenant zone section of Melville’s website.