Tips about your move
Our responsibility
The Lettable Standard
Before you move into your new home we will ensure the property is safe, clean and in a reasonable state of repair, this is called the Lettable Standard. This means we'll:
- clean the property to a high standard
- make sure that gas and electrical appliances have had a safety check
- make sure that all water and heating systems are working (for gas appliances, a gas recommission appointment will be required from the gas contractor)
- issue new tenants with a gas safety certificate and NICEIC electrical inspection certificate
We promise to make sure that the properties we rent to tenants meet our lettable standards.
Every home should be clean and in a good state of repair when you move in. Our lettable standard sets out what you can expect and cover our general needs properties, private sector leased (PSL), hostels and acquisition properties.
Before you move in, we will check your new home, to make sure it is safe, secure, clean and in a good state of repair - we ask you to keep your home in this condition:
- Private Sector Leased Lettable Standard document
- Acquisitions Lettable Standard document
- General Needs Lettable Standard document
- Hostels Lettable Standard document
Keys to your new home
We will give you two new keys for each lock and two fobs (where applicable) for your new home. You will have to pay for any extra keys or additional fobs find out more on our fobs page.
Your responsibility
Going away
If you are going to be away from your home for more than 28 days you will need to inform your tenancy officer and give the anticipated date you will return.
If you are away for more than 28 days without informing us, we will assume you have abandoned the property and steps will be taken to regain possession and re-let the premises.
Keeping pets
You can keep a cat, fish or a caged bird and they should not cause a nuisance.
Contents insurance
It's your responsibility to organise contents insurance. It's important that you take out contents insurance against flood, fire and burglary.
Connecting gas, electricity and other services
Gas
When you move into a new home you will need to decide which gas supplier you are going to buy your gas from. You should arrange with your gas supplier to reconnect the gas at your home and read the meter. To find your current gas supplier call 0870 6081 524.
Electricity
You will need to decide which company you are going to buy your electricity from. When we show you around your new home, we'll show you where your fuse box is located and how to find your mains switch for the electricity (it's usually next to the fuse box).
We recommend that you keep a torch in an easily accessible place in case the electricity supply box goes off when it's dark. To find your current electricity supplier call 0845 6015 467.
Water supply
Your water supply should be connected when you move in. You will need to contact the water company and give them your name, address and the date you moved in. The water company can then set up your account. You do not need to do this if you pay water charges directly to us and we will tell you if this is the case.
If you wish to have a water meter fitted, you must ask us before you do this.
We will show you where your stopcock is, so you can turn off your water supply in an emergency. There are no rebates or benefits available towards the cost of water charges. However, most water authorities accept payments by installations.
Telephone
It's your responsibility to contact the telephone company you'd like to use. If you had a telephone at your previous address, you might be able to take that telephone number with you. If there's a telephone line in your new home, you may only have to pay a reconnection fee. Let your Tenancy Officer know your telephone number.
Your gas, electricity, water and telephone charges are between you and the utility company. You are responsible for paying the charges for these services.