Our lettings standards

We'll make sure your new home is fit to live in, safe and secure, and complies with legal requirements.

Checklist of our letting standards 

Structure and appearance 

• The roof will be wind and weather-tight 
• Gutters, downpipes, and gullies will be working and free from blockages. 

Heating and mains services 

• We'll carry out full and certified electrical and gas-safety checks 
• We'll lag any cold-water tanks, hot-water cylinders, and exposed pipes 
• The property will have a working smoke-alarm system 
• Any boiler will be in good working order with a timer or programmer (or both) fitted 
• You'll have adequate heating. 

Electrical 

• Sockets will be switched, double pole, clean, free of paint and fit for purpose 
• We'll test the consumer unit and make sure it's in line with current BS7671 electrical regulations 
• We'll test and inspect any existing non-standard fittings and may leave them in place - it's then your responsibility to maintain them 
• Pendant lights and switches will be clean, free of paint and fit for purpose.

Doors 

• External doors will have secure locks and they'll open and close. They'll also be wind and weather-tight 
• Internal doors and frames will be in working order. They'll open and close.

Windows and other glazing 

• Glazing will be intact 
• Windows will be safe, secure and in working order.

Floors, stairs and internal woodwork 

• Internal woodwork will be in good condition and free from damage or decay 
• Floors will be secure and without nails or gripper rods. We'll check stairs and handrails to ensure they're safe and secure 
• We don't provide any floor coverings but we'll leave any left by the previous tenant if they're in good condition - like laminate or carpets. It's then your responsibility to maintain them.

Walls and ceilings 

• Ceilings will be in a reasonable condition - they won't have any large cracks or loose plaster.

Bathrooms and toilets 

• Sanitary ware and fittings: bath, shower, toilet, toilet seat and wash hand-basins - will be clean, disinfected, sealed, and in good working order with an adequate supply of hot and cold water 
• The bath and wash hand-basins will have adequate tiled splash-backs. We'll replace any missing tiles with white tiles if no match is available.

Kitchens 

• There will be an adequate supply of hot and cold water 
• All kitchen units and worktops will be in good working order and cleaned inside and out 
• We'll provide a gas or electric cooker connection point depending on the supply. It's your responsibility to get a cooker installed by a Gas Safe or NICEIC-registered engineer 
• There will be a suitable sink and drainer with plug and chain 
• You'll have adequate-sized base units, wall units and work-tops for the size of room 
• The sealant around the sink and worktops will be clean and in good order 
• We'll provide a washing-machine point if there's space 
• We'll prepare the floor surface for you to fit your own flooring 
• Doors, drawer fronts, handles, tiles and worktops will be fit for purpose 
• We'll inspect and clean any white goods that remain in the property - and it's up to us to maintain them.

Decoration 

• We'll decorate only in exceptional circumstances - like if walls have mould or graffiti on them 
• It's your responsibility to decorate, including filling cracks. Make sure you don't use steam wallpaper strippers as these can damage the plaster 
• We'll offer decorating vouchers only in exceptional circumstances.

Gardens and fencing 

• The garden will be tidy and free from rubbish 
• We'll cut hedges and shrubs back and trim the grass 
• We'll remove any garden sheds or other structures that are in poor condition - but you'll be responsible for their maintenance if we leave them 
• We'll repair any fencing that falls under our responsibility if it poses a health and safety risk.

Cleaning 

• The property will be free from rubbish 
• Floors will be swept and mopped if appropriate 
• All sanitary fittings will be de-scaled and chemically cleaned 
• Kitchen units and cupboards will be washed down and left clean 
• Windows will be cleaned.

Asbestos 

• We'll contain any asbestos found in a property and set up a management plan for it. 

Rubbish bin 

• You'll be responsible for asking your local council to provide a rubbish bin if there isn't one outside when you move in. 

General advice 

• We'll explain how the heating and hot water works 
• We'll show you where the main fuse box and the gas and water stop-taps are 
• We'll give you a welcome pack with information and equipment on energy-saving opportunities. 

Tenant's sign-up 

We'll ask you to sign a form to show that you're happy with the condition of the property - and that it's met the required standards.