Rok Eastbourne will upgrade kitchens, bathrooms, electrics and roofing at properties managed by Home, one of the UK's largest providers of affordable housing.
The work will also help reduce fuel bills for many tenants in the town as old heating systems are replaced with modern boilers.
As part of the contract, worth £15m across the south east, Rok has created a pioneering mobile presentation unit to allow Home tenants to choose their new bathrooms and kitchens.
The trailer will be driven to Eastbourne in time for the start of the local maintenance programme in July.
Andrew Troop, regional customer leader for Rok Eastbourne, said, "We are delighted to have been chosen by Home as its partner in this major scheme that will bring real improvements to thousands of tenants.
"We have vast experience of working closely with registered social landlords and already have a good relationship with Home, working on schemes in the south east and other parts of the UK."
The work in Eastbourne is part of a scheme to ensure that all 11,000 rented properties managed by Home in the south east meet the government's Decent Homes standard by 2010.
Steve Errington, procurement manager for Home, said, "We have already made excellent progress improving much of our stock across the south. We are confident Rok will ensure the good work done so far will be rolled out efficiently and cost effectively across the whole south east region.