Publications and Documents

Your New Home Standard

When we let a home, we make sure it is clean, safe and functional for the start of your tenancy.

All empty homes will be supplied with the following:

  • Gas safety certificate
  • Electrical test certificate
  • New Yale lock and five-lever mortice deadlock to the front entrance door - except for sheltered accommodation
  • Smoke alarms (one in flats and bedsits; two in houses and maisonettes)

 

Cleaning standard:

  • Kitchen units, work surfaces, cupboards, drawers and sink will be thoroughly cleaned
  • Bathroom fittings and floor to be cleaned and disinfected
  • Internal windows and frames to be cleaned and washed down
  • All doors including the front entrance door, door frames and side casings to be thoroughly cleaned
  • Stairways and steps to be swept and cleaned to a high standard
  • Radiators to be cleaned at the front and behind as far as possible
  • All skirting boards to be washed down
  • All tiled areas to be cleaned
  • All floors to be swept and mopped, attention to be given to removing scuff marks and paint splashes
  • Air vents to be thoroughly cleaned

 

Bathrooms:

  • Baths, showers, wash hand basins and toilet pans that are damaged will be replaced
  • All wall tiles and mastic will be sound and watertight
  • Taps will be replaced if they are not in good working order
  • All bathroom fittings will be chemically cleaned
  • A new toilet seat will be fitted
  • Showers fitted over baths will be removed, including all associated water and electrical supplies and all holes and fixings will be made good
  • All previous tenants’ bathroom cupboards, shelves, shower curtains, mirrors and accessories will be removed
  • The bathroom floor will be tiled or have a vinyl covering
  • Where the existing bathroom has a shower and no bath, the shower unit will be left in place

 

Kitchen:

  • The kitchen floor will be tiled or have vinyl covering
  • If there is space for a washing machine next to the sink, we will provide the plumbing
  • All taps will be in good working order

All kitchens, size permitting, will contain at least the following:

  • Single drainer sink unit;
  • Double base unit and worktop;
  • Double wall unit or equivalent;
  • Electric cooker point; and
  • Gas cooker point, where gas is fitted to the property.
  • Cookers/fridges will only be provided in sheltered accommodation and will be inspected, repaired or replaced as necessary
  • All mastic and wall tiles will be sound and watertight

 

Garden and fences:

  • Gardens will be cleaned of all rubbish and grassed areas trimmed
  • Overgrown bushes will be cut back
  • Boundary markings/fences will be repaired/established, as necessary.

 

Miscellaneous:

  • The building will be structurally sound, weather tight and in a safe condition
  • All polystyrene ceiling tiles or plastic cladding in the kitchen will be removed, as these are a fire hazard
  • If there is asbestos in the property – but it is not hazardous – we will identify its location, type and condition for your information
  • The location of the stopcock, gas and electricity meters will be identified for your information

Decorating:

  • If you are a disabled person, we can arrange for a room of your choice to be decorated, unless you have an able-bodied person living with you
  • It may be possible to assist you with the cost of decorating your home. The officer accompanying you will be able to provide further advice

 

Download the 'You and Your Home' service standard leaflet

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