What to expect in your council property

We will carry out most repairs before your tenancy starts. However, in order to avoid unnecessary delays, some works may be carried out shortly afterwards. We will discuss this with you before you sign your tenancy agreement.

We expect that you will keep your home in this condition.

Contact Building and Technical Services if you need repairs

Security and safety

All doors will be fitted with new locks while the property is empty. We will provide you with three keys (two for communal doors) and two security fobs (where required). 

We will provide window keys (where possible) and make sure any window restrictors are working properly. We will ensure that the main entrance has suitable lighting.

Kitchen

The kitchen will:

• be fitted with minimum of one sink unit and one double unit (wall or base)
• have a minimum of 0.5m food preparation surface
• have walls adjacent to sink units and food preparation areas will be fitted with minimum 30cm ceramic tile splashback

We will create space for a washing machine if possible

You will need to arrange your own cooker (it won’t always be possible to have a gas cooker).

Bathroom

The bathroom will have:

• a toilet, wash hand basin and bath or shower will be in good working order
• moisture resistant flooring that easy to clean
• no lock installed on the bathroom door
• walls adjacent to baths and basins will be fitted with minimum 30cm ceramic tile splashback

All rooms

All rooms will have:

• at least one light fitting per room
• two double sockets in double bedrooms and living rooms, and one double socket in single bedrooms
• hard wired smoke detectors will be checked and tested battery operated carbon monoxide detectors, where installed, will be checked and tested
• lighting to staircases to have a two-way switch
• staircases fitted with handrails
• windows that will be reasonably draught free
• window catches that will work properly and windows will open easily
• fire doors, where appropriate, will be in place
• doors that will open and close freely and all handles, catches, etc will work properly
• floors and window glass that are clean
• level and even floors enough to receive coverings
• walls and ceilings free of major defects and in suitable condition for preparation and re-decoration

Decorative condition will be assessed and a decorations voucher may be given to you.

Carpets

We will not provide carpets. If the previous tenant has left good quality, well fitted carpet or laminate flooring, we will leave it in the property for you. In this case, we are gifting it to you and take no further responsibility for upkeep or maintenance

Outside

Footpaths and drives will be level and free of tripping hazards.

Boundary walls, fences, gates and outbuildings will be free of major defects and structurally sound.

Chestnut pale fencing (stick and wire) will be provided for party boundaries and close board fencing for public boundaries.

The garden (if there is one) will be free from hazards and rubbish.

Tall hedges, including Leylandii, will be reduced or removed.

Ponds will be filled in and outside taps removed.

Request to use communal greenland in your flat block

If you're a council tenant and want to use your communal greenland in your flat block you will need make a request to us.

General

All fixed appliances and pipework will be checked in accordance with current regulations.

There will be an adequate power and utility supply exclusive to the property or able to be metered independently.

Drainage will be free from obstruction and suitably enclosed or covered.

Each room will have adequate ventilation without compromising security.

We will check for asbestos and deal with it appropriately if found.

Any polystyrene tiles will be removed.

We will ensure the property has current valid gas safety and electrical check certificates and a valid energy performance certificate.