Your New Home - What you can expect
We want you to be happy in your new home. We will make every effort to meet these standards.
Our promise is your new home will be clean, safe, secure, free from hazards and in good repair. Your new home will have:
Inside your home
- All locks changed and three sets of keys will be handed over at sign up.
- Gas and electric meter readings taken and passed to you at sign up.
- All gas and electric installations tested to make sure they’re safe and in working order. You will receive a copy of the gas safety and electrical certificate at sign up.
- An up-to-date energy performance assessment (EPC) which you will receive a copy of at sign up.
- Smoke, heat and Carbon Monoxide detectors checked and tested.
- Any belongings or rubbish left by the previous customer will have been removed, including from the garden.
- Been cleaned thoroughly throughout
- All external doors and windows including glazing throughout your home will be serviced, in working order and keys provided for locks.
- All fire doors and fire prevention mechanisms will be checked and compliant.
- A fully working heating system throughout your home.
- Staircases, handrails and bannisters are installed where required
- Suitable child-safety catches will be fitted to all windows above ground floor.
- All water systems have been checked and tested.
- All light fittings will be supplied with lightbulbs.
- Any adaptations are checked, serviced and in working order.
- The roof space is clear and free of obstacles.
- Free from damp and mould growth.
- All extractors have been cleaned and are free flowing.
- Floors are secure and free from trip hazards.
Kitchen
- There will be space provided for a cooker (gas or electric or both), fridge and where possible a washing machine
- An extractor fan installed and in working order.
- Kitchen cupboards and drawers open and close freely.
- Wall tiles will be, grouted, sealed and clean or upstands to worktops and splash back to cooker area will be provided.
- All surface areas will be cleaned and wipeable.
- Vinyl flooring will be fitted.
Bathroom
- Will have a bath with an over bath shower or a shower, a wash hand basin and a toilet including seat, clean and free from lime scale. Some properties will have separate bathing facilities to the home.
- Where there is a shower, a new shower curtain will be provided
- Wall tiles will be grouted, sealed and clean or tileboard provided giving a splash back in the bath area and behind the basin.
- An extractor fan installed and in working order.
- Vinyl flooring will be fitted.
Decorations
- All surfaces will be prepared and ready for decorations or where necessary decorations will be carried out prior to sign up.
- Paint pack vouchers will be provided when deemed necessary. A selection of neutral colours can be chosen on collection.
Outside your home:
- Your home will be safe, secure and watertight.
- The roof, gutters and downpipes are in working order and clear of any blockages
- Drainage systems and waste pipes are in working order and clear of any blockages
- Paths and paving are clear, safe and free from trip hazards
- Any external handrails and steps are safe and in working order
- Any existing fences, walls and gates are safe
- Gardens will be cut back, strimmed & hedges cut where required
- Household waste bin will be provided
Some external work may be completed after you have moved into your new home.
We hope you enjoy living in your new home. Please help us maintain it and report any repairs promptly, while also giving us access as needed. This will make sure that your home stays safe and secure.
If you would like to make changes to your home, you must make sure you get written permission from your Neighbourhood Housing Officer, before starting the work.
A customer survey will be sent to you within the first few months of you moving in to get your feedback to understand your satisfaction with your new home.
You can find out more on what is expected of you in ‘your obligations’ section within your tenancy agreement.
