When you move into your new home, you can expect that we will ensure it meets certain standards. Outlined below are the standards you will see when you have a weekly tenancy (where you pay rent every week) or when you have a monthly tenancy (where you pay your rent to us monthly).
You can find out more about who is responsible for repairs and home maintenance.
General building | Floors, stairs, wall and ceilings| Doors and locks | Windows | Heating and insulation | Gas and electricity| Kitchens |Bathrooms | Electrical
General building condition and external areas
We will ensure that:
The property is structurally sound, weather tight, clean and cleared of any debris or the previous occupants' belongings.
The external balconies if provided will be sound, clean and cleaned of any debris or pervious occupants’ belongings.
Paths, paving, steps, boundary walls, fences and gates, plus any garden buildings are in reasonable repair and safe.
Gardens are clear of rubbish and grass is cut to a manageable level, with a maximum height of 600mm.
Floors, stairs, wall and ceilings
We will ensure that:
Floors are safe and level, with no trip hazards and that worn or broken tiles are replaced.
Non-slip flooring is fitted in the bathroom.
Kitchen flooring which includes ceramic tiles if fitted and if in sound condition will remain.
Stairs and banisters are safe and banister rails are in place.
Doors and locks
We will ensure:
All doors and frames are free of rot or decay and doors open and close easily.
Glazing is in good condition and meets current British Standards.
Front doors have a cylinder lock and a five-lever mortice lock, each with two keys.
Side or rear doors are fitted with a deadlock and/or barrel bolt.
Loft access is safe.
External letterboxes have a new lock and key
We will install a FD30 door leaf with Intumescent only. We will not install cold smoke seal and self-closers. This will exclude any doors where the means of escape requires a resident to pass the kitchen, and where the internal design of the flat is provided with a protected lobby.
Windows and frames are free of rot or decay and open and close easily.
Glazing is in good condition and meets current British Standards.
Window locks are working, and keys are provided.
Child restrictors are fitted to windows at first floor level or above.
Glazing below a height of 800mm is safety glass.
Heating and insulation
We will ensure:
The property is heated by radiators or by electric storage or panel heaters.
External pipes are lagged and the cold-water tank is covered and insulated.
All stopcocks are labelled and working.
Lofts are insulated to a minimum thickness of 270mm.
Gas and electricity
We will ensure:
There is an electricity supply to the property (most homes have gas too).
Wiring and gas systems are checked, and valid safety certificates issued (Electrical Installation Certificate and Landlord Gas Safety Record).
The property has meters, whenever possible (the tenant may need to arrange this with their utility supplier), and there is a key for the meter box.
Tenants must arrange connection of gas and electricity supplies. Read more about gas safety and electrical safety in your home.
Worktops, tiling, units and drawers that is clean and functional.
Space for a gas or electric cooker, a washing machine and a fridge (subject to space).
An electric and/or gas cooker point and at least two double sockets.
A sink, with a hot and cold-water supply and a plug and chain, plus tiled splashback.
A method of ventilation, either by opening windows or by a clean and working extractor fan.
We will install a FD30 door leaf with Intumescent only. We will not install cold smoke seal and self-closers. This will exclude any doors where the means of escape requires a resident to pass the kitchen and where the internal design of the flat is provided with a protected lobby.
Wash hand basins, baths, taps, toilets and toilet seats that are clean, free from cracks and chips and in working order.
Plugs and chains for baths and wash hand basins.
Shower curtain rails, and if a shower is fitted, the shower will be in working order.
Tiled splashbacks that are clean and sealed.
A method of ventilation, either by opening windows or by a clean and working extractor fan.
Lounge: at least three double sockets.
Main/only bedroom: at least two double sockets.
Other bedrooms: at least one double socket.
Hall/landing: at least one single socket per floor.
Bathroom/WC – none. A shaver point will not be provided unless already fitted.
A working (preferably low energy) bulb in every light.
Sealed lights in the bathroom and kitchen.
A working smoke detector in the hall and on each floor and a wired heat sensor in the kitchen.
All switches, light fittings and sockets will be safe and working.
General building |Floors, stairs, wall and ceilings| Doors and locks | Windows | Heating and insulation | Gas and electricity| Kitchens |Bathrooms | Electrical
General building condition and external areas
We will ensure:
The property is structurally sound, weather tight, clean and cleared of any debris or the previous occupant’s belongings.
The external balconies if provided will be sound, clean and cleaned of any debris or previous occupants’ belongings
Paths, paving, steps, boundary walls, fences and gates, plus any garden buildings, are in reasonable repair and safe.
Floors, stairs, walls and ceilings
We will ensure:
Floors are safe and level, with no trip hazards and that worn or broken tiles are replaced
Carpets are fawn/mid-brown/mid-grey in colour and underlay is in good condition. Any tears in the carpet are replaced. Any carpets worn away from the threshold are replaced and fixed
Non-slip flooring is fitted in the bathroom.
Kitchen flooring which includes ceramic tiles if fitted and if in sound condition will remain.
Stairs and banisters are safe and banister rails are in place.
Walls, skirting boards and ceilings are free of nails and screws.
Walls will be decorated in a light colour (magnolia or cream).
Doors and locks
We will ensure:
All doors and frames are free of rot or decay and doors open and close easily.
Glazing is in good condition and meets current British Standards.
Front doors have a cylinder lock and a five-lever mortice lock, each with two keys.
Side or rear doors are fitted with a deadlock and/or barrel bolt.
Loft access is safe.
External letterboxes have a new lock and key.
Windows and frames are free of rot or decay and open and close easily.
Glazing is in good condition and meets current British Standards.
Window locks are working, and keys are provided.
Child restrictors are fitted to windows at first floor level or above.
Glazing below a height of 800mm is safety glass.
Heating and insulation
We will ensure:
The property is heated by radiators or by electric storage or panel heaters.
External pipes are lagged and the cold-water tank is covered and insulated.
All stopcocks are labelled and working.
Lofts are insulated to a minimum thickness of 270mm.
Tenants are issued with an Energy Performance Certificate and gas safety certificate.
Gas and electricity
We will ensure:
There is an electricity supply to the property (most homes have gas too).
Wiring and gas systems are checked, and valid safety certificates issued (Electrical Installation Certificate and Landlord Gas Safety Record).
Remove any prepayment meters and clear existing debts.
The property has meters, whenever possible (the tenant may need to arrange this with their utility supplier), and there is a key for the meter box/cupboard.
Worktops, tiling, units and drawers that is clean and functional.
Working gas or electric hob and oven
Any remaining white goods i.e washing machine and a fridge/freezer (subject to space) are PAT checked
PAT or gas safety check of a full working oven, hob and extractor fan
An electric and/or gas cooker point and at least two double sockets.
A sink, with a hot and cold-water supply and a plug and chain, plus tiled splashback.
A method of ventilation, either by opening windows or by a clean and working extractor fan.
We will install a FD30 door leaf with intumescent only. We will not install cold smoke seal and self-closers. This will exclude any doors where the means of escape requires a resident to pass the kitchen and where the internal design of the flat is provided with a protected lobby.
Wash hand basins, baths, taps, toilets and toilet seat that is clean, free from cracks and chips and in working order.
Plugs and chains for baths and wash hand basins.
Shower curtain rails or shower screen where applicable, and if a shower is fitted; the shower will be in working order.
Tiled splashbacks that are clean and sealed.
A method of ventilation, either by opening windows or by a clean and working extractor fan.
Mould sealant to be cleaned, raked out and resealed.
Lounge: at least three double sockets.
Main/only bedroom: at least two double sockets.
Other bedrooms: at least one double sockets.
Hall/landing: at least one single socket per floor.
Bathroom/WC – none. A shaver point will not be provided unless already fitted.
A working (preferably low energy) bulb in every light.
Sealed lights in the bathroom and kitchen – where applicable spotlights.
A working smoke detector in the hall on each floor and a wired heat sensor in the kitchen.
