What can I expect from my new home?
Contents:
7. Hard-wired equipment standard
8. Internal decoration standard
9. Non-standard fixtures and fittings
10. Serviceable items left by previous tenants
1. General standards
We will:
- Check all gas appliances to make sure they work safely. We’ll fix or replace anything that’s broken. We’ll also test the gas pipes to make sure there are no leaks. You’ll get a gas safety certificate.
- Test the electrics to make sure they are safe and meet the latest rules. We’ll check that all switches, lights, and sockets are secure. If the wiring needs to be replaced, we’ll decide if it should be done now or later. You’ll get an electrical safety certificate.
- Make sure the water supply works properly.
- Make sure there is a way to heat your home.
- Clean the home and remove any rubbish.
- Check that all inside doors work properly.
- Change the locks on the front and back doors.
- Check all windows to make sure they open and close properly and the glass is safe. We’ll also check any window safety locks.
- Make sure any glass in doors and windows is safe and fix it if needed.
- Check that the floors are in good condition and ready for new flooring.
- Make sure the walls are in good shape.
- Check for asbestos (a harmful material) and do any work needed to make it safe.
- Remove any dangerous materials.
- Give you an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
- Make sure handrails and banisters are safe and complete.
- Check that any outside handrails by the doors are safe.
- Remove any fireplaces and safely block them up if needed.
Extra for sheltered housing:
- If possible, we’ll move the fuse box lower so it’s easier to reach for older or disabled people.
- We’ll provide a key safe for sheltered housing tenants.
We will:
- Make sure the kitchen is clean and works well. We’ll use the space in the best way to give you enough cupboards and worktops.
- Check that the pipes and taps don’t leak, and that the drains aren’t blocked.
- Add taps and a drain for a washing machine if they aren’t already there.
- Make sure there is a safe place to plug in a gas or electric cooker.
- Clean and check any air vents.
- Make sure extractor fans are clean and working well.
- Make sure the kitchen floor is in good condition, clean, and doesn’t let water through.
- If needed, we’ll fit a special switch (called a sure-stop) to help turn off the water easily.
3. Bathroom standard
We will:
- Check that the pipes and taps don’t leak, and that the drains aren’t blocked. If needed, we’ll replace the plug and chain for the bath and sink.
- Make sure the bath, toilet, and sink are clean, safe, and work properly.
- Replace the toilet seat and check that the toilet flush works well.
- Clean and check any air vents and extractor fans.
- Check the electric shower. We will change the shower head and hose. If in place, shower curtains will be renewed. If we installed the shower, we’ll clean and fix it. If someone else installed it, we’ll just make sure it works and is safe to use. In these cases, any future changes will be in line with our standards.
- Make sure the bathroom floor is in good condition, clean, and doesn’t let water through.
4. Cleaning standard
We will:
- Make sure there is no rubbish inside or outside the home, including sheds, cupboards, gardens, and the loft.
- Sweep, mop, and dry all hard floors (like tiles or concrete) to remove dirt and marks.
- Clean the inside and outside of kitchen cupboards and drawers. We’ll also clean sinks, taps, worktops, wall tiles, and the sealant around them. If the sealant or tile grout is badly stained, we’ll replace it.
- Remove all cobwebs, blu-tack, tape, and drawing pins.
- Make sure there is no graffiti or large stains.
- Clean all bathroom fixtures like the sink, bath, and toilet.
- Wash and dry all wooden parts of the home, like skirting boards and doors.
- Clean plastic doors and windows.
- Vacuum any carpets in the home.
5. Garden standard
We will:
- Clear away all rubbish and overgrown plants from the garden. Once you move in, it’s your job to look after the garden.
- Remove things like ponds, garden ornaments, sheds, greenhouses, lean-tos, and conservatories, unless they are safe and in good condition. If any of these are safe and useful, we’ll offer them to you when you view the property. If you choose to keep them, you’ll sign a form saying they are now your responsibility.
- Make sure any fences we are responsible for (like post and wire fences) are in good condition. You’ll usually need to look after and fix any wooden or other types of fencing.
- Check that paths and steps leading to the front and back doors are safe, with no trip hazards or too much moss. We’ll also make sure entrance gates work properly.
- Make sure any flat balconies are clean and safe, with no trip hazards or too much moss.
6. Loft standard
We will:
- Clear out any rubbish from the loft.
- Add new loft insulation if it’s missing or not good enough, so your home stays warmer and uses less energy.
Please don’t use the loft (the space under the roof) unless we say it’s okay in writing. If you go into the loft without permission and something gets broken, like wires, water pipes, or the ceiling, you'll have to pay to fix it. We also won’t be responsible if you or anyone else gets hurt or if your things get damaged.
7. Hard-wired equipment standard
We will:
- Check that the pull cord system in sheltered housing works properly.
- Make sure heat detectors and smoke alarms are fitted where the rules say they should be.
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm if it’s needed to keep you safe.
8. Internal decoration standard
We will:
- Make sure the decoration (like paint and wallpaper) is clean and not damaged, even if it’s not your favourite style. Any wallpaper that’s coming off will be removed.
- Paint and decorate all empty sheltered housing homes if they need it.
- In some cases, if the decoration is really bad, we’ll decorate other empty homes too.
- Where we have not redecorated, we offer vouchers to help you redecorate.
9. Non-standard fixtures and fittings
Sometimes, tenants make changes to their homes and add things that aren’t normally installed by us. These might include built-in cookers, wardrobes, electric showers, kitchen units, baths, or even a conservatory.
We will check all these extra items to make sure they are safe and won’t cause problems. If we think they are safe and in good condition, we’ll let them stay in the home, but will not be responsible for maintaining them. You’ll need to sign a form saying you agree to take care of them and get rid of them if no longer needed.
We will take care of any non-standard doors or windows that were added by past tenants.
We will replace non-standard kitchens, baths, front doors, and windows when they get old, as part of our planned work. This may not be like-for-like
10. Other serviceable items left by previous tenants
Sometimes, the person who lived in the home before you leaves things behind, like carpets, wardrobes, curtains, furniture or white goods such as fridges or freezers.
We will?check these items?to make sure they are?safe, clean, and in good condition. If they are okay to use, we’ll?offer them to you?when you come to view the property. If you want to keep any of them, you’ll need to?sign a form?saying you agree to?look after them?and?get rid of them?when needed.
While the home is empty, we’ll?protect these items, but the contractor is?not responsible?for their final condition. If you don’t want to accept this risk, you’ll need to?pay to have the items stored yourself.