Moving in standard

Empty room with staircase What is a moving in standard?

This is the minimum standard of repair you can expect to find when you move into your home. It is also the minimum standard that we expect the property to be in when your tenancy with us ends. This page explains what you can expect from us, the things we will not do and the things you need to do to maintain your home. It is very important that you follow this guidance as you may be re-charged for the cost of repairing any damage or maintenance work that is your responsibility.

What we expect from you

It is your responsibility to report any necessary repairs to us promptly - as well as to keep the property clean and in good decorative order. You are also responsible for maintaining your garden areas as well as hedges and trees. Please note that it may be necessary to carry out some repairs after you have moved in. These will normally be garden clearances, replacements where materials are on order, and external repairs. We will agree with you what these repairs are and when they are to be carried out.

What we do

Heating and mains services

  • Electrical and gas (if applicable) safety checks completed

  • However, we may need to visit you once you move in to commission your heating system and carry out a gas safety check

  • Main stopcocks will be working and tagged for easy identification, so that you can turn the water supply off in an emergency

  • Energy performance certificate

Kitchens

  • Kitchen units and worktops will be free from major scratches and chips

  • Tiled areas will be clean and intact

  • We will provide an electric cooker point to all properties

  • If your property does not have a gas cooker point, you will need to arrange for one to be installed by a competent person

  • Washing machine and fridge/freezer spaces will be provided where possible but this may be in another room or outbuilding

Bathrooms and toilets

  • A new toilet seat will be provided in every property

  • All sanitary ware will be clean and free from major chips, scratches and stains

  • We will only provide shower curtains for wet rooms and level access showers

  • Tiled areas will be clean and intact

Walls and ceilings

  • We will remove polystyrene ceiling tiles and coving and leave the area ready for decoration

  • Major cracks or holes to walls and ceilings will be filled

  • Any torn or soiled wallpaper will be removed but not replaced

  • Wallpaper will not be removed if it is in reasonable condition

Decorations

  • You are responsible for the decoration of your home, including filling small holes and cracks

  • Vouchers will be awarded for properties that have been assessed to be in a less than reasonable condition

  • Decorating vouchers are to help towards the cost of decorating materials they are not to cover the full cost

  • Curtain battens will be fitted to all habitable rooms

  • In exceptional circumstances we may decorate some or all rooms in a property

Cleaning

We will make sure your property has a good basic clean:

  • Kitchen cupboards and worktops will be washed down

  • Toilet, bathroom fittings and tiles will be cleaned

  • Fixtures and fittings, window sills and ledges, radiators and pipes, door frames and handles, picture rails, skirting boards and fire surrounds will be wiped clean

  • Windows will be cleaned on the inside only

  • Floors will be swept and cleaned

  • Bin stores and outbuildings will be swept

  • Loft areas will be clear

Doors

  • All internal and external doors will open and close easily and be free from damage

  • Security chains will be fitted to all front doors

  • Locks will be changed on all external doors and we will give you at least two keys for each lock.

Windows

  • All windows will be intact, windows designed to open will do so easily

  • Where possible, all upstairs windows will have restrictors fitted for safety

  • We will not provide replacement window keys where none have been left by the previous resident, we will ensure that all windows open

Floors

  • All visible floor areas will be secure, have no holes or serious damage and be free from damp

  • We will provide a level surface suitable for you to lay your own floor covering eg latex or screed

  • We will provide a clean, washable floor covering to kitchen, bathroom and toilet areas

Outside your property

  • Roofs, walls and gutters will be safe

  • All garden areas will be free from rubbish

  • Lawns and hedges will be cut back to a manageable level within two weeks of the start of your tenancy

  • You are responsible for the trees within your garden; we will ensure trees are inspected before or soon after your tenancy commences

What we don’t do

There are some things you might inherit from the previous resident and also some things you will need to take care of because we cannot do it for you. We don’t:

  • Connect your washing machine

  • Connect your cooker – this must be done by a competent person

  • Register you with utility suppliers – you must arrange gas, electricity and water yourself

  • Decorate your property – it is your responsibility to keep your property in good decorative order

  • Remove floor coverings left by the previous resident if they are in a reasonable condition eg carpet, laminated or wooden flooring. It will be your responsibility to maintain these in future

  • Remove or demolish garden buildings if in reasonable condition. You will be responsible for maintaining them

  • Remove outside concrete bases if in a reasonable condition

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