What to expect when you move into a new council house

• Sink top and work surfaces will be left in a clean and hygienic condition.
• All units will be secure and doors and drawers will be in a good state of repair.
• The water supply will be working.
• The storage space will consist of wall and floor units. The number of units will depend on the size of the kitchen.
• Tiled areas will be sealed and free from cracked or broken tiles.
• There will be a safe and compliant cooker space with a suitable gas and electricity point, if these are both available. (Please note, it is your responsibility to arrange the connection of your cooker by a suitably-qualified person.)
• There will be a minimum of two double electrical sockets.
• We will provide space for a fridge and washing machine, with plumbing, taps and waste. (Again, the connection of the washing machine is your responsibility.)
• The kitchen floor will have a washable, clean floor covering, free from broken and damaged tiles.
• Surfaces and cupboards will be clean and ready for use.

• There will be a fully fitted, operational bathroom, free from leaks.
• All tiled areas will be correctly sealed and free from cracked or broken tiles.
• All toilets will work properly, be securely fixed and have a new toilet seat fitted. (Note: you will be responsible for the replacement of any further toilet seats during your tenancy.
• The sink, washbasin, bath and shower, and toilet will be sanitised and ready for use.

• Visible plasterwork will be clean and finished to allow for decorating.
• We will remove polystyrene tiles throughout the property.
• All walls, ceilings and surfaces will be free from damp or mould.
• All walls, inside and outside the property, will be free of graffiti.

• With your agreement, and assuming they are in good condition, existing floor coverings such as carpets, lino, ceramic tiles and laminated or wooden floor coverings, will be left in the property. At this point, the maintenance and replacement of them will become your responsibility.
• We will ensure that floors are even and free from trip hazards.
• We will ensure that flooring in kitchens and bathrooms is clean and washable. We will replace broken and damaged floor tiles.
• Wooden floors will be secure and in a good condition.
• We will ensure that stairs have safe and secure handrails and balustrades.
• We will leave floors in a clean and clear condition. Carpets will be vacuumed and hard floors will be swept and mopped.

• We will ensure that all fire doors are checked to ensure legal requirements and agreed standards
• We will ensure that all internal and external doors work correctly, are secure and are fit for purpose.
• The locks to all external doors will be changed and you will be provided with keys. Please note, we do not keep copies of any keys.
• Glazing in all windows will be intact when you move in. We will ensure that all windows which are designed to open are in good working order.

• If the property has a gas supply, we will have the gas supply and any appliances tested in line with current gas safety regulations to make sure they are safe and in working order
• We will give you a copy of the landlord’s gas safety certificate and let you know where the emergency control valve is when you sign the tenancy agreement
• The mains water supply will be left working, the main stop-tap (also called a stopcock) will be checked and left operational. We will let you know where it is on the sign-up visit
• We will have the electrical supply checked in line with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors (NICEIC) inspection procedure.
• Appropriate smoke alarms will be installed at the property
• Legionella – All water services will be flushed in line with current regulations
• There will be a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector in all required rooms in accordance with legislation and regulations

The majority of the upkeep of any garden and yard is your responsibility. However, before you move in, we willl:

• Leave recognised access paths safe and free of hazards.
• Ensure that boundaries are clearly defined.
• Ensure that any existing fencing is in good repair and where needed either repair or replace.
• Ensure that roofs, walls, gutters and downpipes are in a safe and working condition.
• Remove all external rubbish from gardens, bin stores and any sheds or outer buildings.
• Remove any sheds, greenhouses or other structures which aren’t in good condition.
• Cut back hedges, lawns and trees to an acceptable height/length.

If any sheds greenhouses and other structures are in good condition, you will have the option to keep them. Please be aware that should this happen, the ongoing maintenance and replacement of them would then become your responsibility.

• The property will be clean and free from rubbish including the loft space
• Surfaces and cupboards will be cleaned
• Kitchen and bathroom floors will be mopped
• The sink, wash hand basin, bath/shower and toilet will be sanitised