Moving in or out of Council Housing

We aim to rent your home as quickly and efficiently as possible and will support you so it’s a smooth transition without added stress.

Before moving in

Before you move into your home, we will have:

• carried out electrical and gas safety checks
• made any necessary repairs
• removed non-standard electrical fittings and appliances
• changed the locks to front and rear doors
• removed all rubbish from inside and outside your home
• made sure the property meets our standards

All new incoming tenants can expect:

• the garden is tidy with any grass cut
• the property is clear, clean and watertight
• there are no visible leaks
• doors and windows are watertight
• gas and/or electric supplies are tested and safe
• home alterations have been inspected and approved
• there is no visible mould or damp
• the kitchen has space for essential appliances such as the cooker and fridge
• the number of kitchen units is suitable for the size of the property
• there is electricity and where possible a gas supply for the cooker

After moving in

We want you to be able to move into your new home as soon as possible, so it may be possible that we might need to carry out some non-essential repairs after you have moved in.

You will be given a list of these repairs when you sign the tenancy agreement. We’ll also discuss with you how long it will take for the repairs to be carried out.

What you need to know

Gas supply

The gas supply will be turned off and can only be turned back on after we have carried out a ‘turn on and test’ of the gas supply, after your home is relet.

We recommend you arrange an appointment for a ‘turn on and test’ straightaway.

Until this test is completed, we won’t know if any gas appliance needs to be replaced. A gas ‘turn on and test’ appointment will be completed within one working day of you requesting it.

Your responsibilities

As the tenant, you are responsible for:

• having your gas cooker (if relevant) installed by a qualified gas engineer
• arranging the instalment of other appliances, e.g. washing machine
• decorating your home, including installing new flooring (if relevant)
• arranging your own contents insurance
• paying for your utilities - you will need to arrange for these services to put in your name when you move in
• keeping your keys safe - you will be provided with three sets of door keys and will be charged if they need replacing

Your tenancy agreement will list out all of your responsibilities in full, like ensuring your garden is free from rubbish and maintained, and internal decoration of your home.

Decent Homes Standard

All of our homes meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. In addition, we have also worked with our tenants to agree a lettable standard that guarantees that a new incoming tenant will be housed in a good quality home.

Here are some of the services we provide to keep your home well-maintained:

• we inspect all homes and carry out essential repairs before we let you move into one of our homes
• we complete any non-urgent repairs or external maintenance within three months of you moving in
• we provide a 24-hour emergency repair service all year round
• by law we carry out a gas safety check on your home every year