Standards for Empty Homes
Relet Standards (formerly Void Standards) - The Condition of Your New Home
1. AIDS AND ADAPTATIONS
1.1 Existing aids and adaptations will be left in the property and will be subject to a safety check.
1.2 Where possible, major new aids and adaptations will be installed while the property is empty following consultation with Social Care and Health Services.
2. ASBESTOS
2.1 Any asbestos-containing materials which are left in your home will be sound, in good condition, and covered or out of reach so that removal will not be necessary.
3. BALCONIES (individual, common access and galleries)
3.1 Balconies will provide protection against falling by young children or other vulnerable occupants.
3.2 Safety glazing will be provided for window glass below 800mm and glazed doors.
3.3 All glazing below 800mm will be checked to ensure that it complies with the current safety standards. Where the existing glazing does not meet current standards, it will be replaced.
3.4 The floor surface will be slip resistant and there will be adequate drainage.
3.5 Fungal wash will be used on floors where required
3.6 Tripping hazards will be removed.
4. BATHROOM / SANITARY WARE
4.1 The bathroom will include a fully plumbed in wash hand basin and a bath or shower.
4.2 A WC will be provided.
4.3 Where sinks, baths or taps are replaced, lever taps will be installed.
4.4 Sanitary fittings will be sound and in a good condition.
4.5 In shared dwellings, bathroom sharing will be restricted to a maximum of one bath, one WC and one basin per five persons; a separate WC with wash hand basin will be provided if bathroom sharing is by more than two persons.
4.6 Floor coverings to bathrooms will be hygienic, easy to clean, slip resistant and moisture resistant.
4.7 Sanitary fittings will be replaced if they are in a poor condition, e.g. if they are cracked or leaking. The replacement colour will be white, unless an exact colour match can be achieved.
4.8 Plastic WC cisterns in a poor condition will be replaced with ceramic cisterns wherever possible.
4.9 Where a new bathroom is installed, a thermostatically controlled shower will be incorporated over the bath, along with a shower rail. The type of shower will be determined by the existing plumbing installation.
5. BOILERS
5.1 Where a boiler needs to be replaced, this will be with a combination condensing boiler.
6. CARELINE
6.1 Careline equipment in sheltered and supported accommodation will be checked to ensure it is working.
7. CLEANING
7.1 We will clean empty properties, ensuring each property is left ready for occupation.
7.2 If needles or other hazardous materials are found in an empty property, they will be removed by trained staff.
8 DRYING FACILITIES
8.1 Pole(s) and lines or rotary dryers will be provided.
9. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
9.1 Electrical installations, including cooker connections, will be checked and certified as safe by a qualified electrician.
9.2 Artificial lighting will be adequate to ensure a safe living environment.
9.3 Appliances
9.3.1 No built-in electrical cookers, fridges or dishwashers will be left in an empty property, except in the circumstances set out in 9.3.2 below.
9.3.2 In cases where built-in appliances have been purchased from the outgoing tenant by the incoming tenant, or where the incoming tenant otherwise wishes to keep the appliances, they will be left in the property and the circuit will be tested as part of the overall electrical safety check on the property. However, the appliance itself will not be tested and the incoming tenant will need to satisfy themselves that the appliance is safe to use. The new tenant will be responsible for ensuring the safety of the appliance and for maintaining it and will be asked to sign a form taking on responsibility for the item.
9.3.3 No freestanding electrical appliances will be left in an empty property, except in the circumstances set out in 9.3.4 below.
9.3.4 In cases where freestanding electrical appliances have been purchased from the outgoing tenant by the incoming tenant by private arrangement, these will be clearly marked and precautions will be taken to ensure that these are protected during void works. Such appliances will not be tested. The new tenant will be responsible for ensuring the safety of these items and for maintaining them and will be asked to sign a form taking on responsibility for the item(s).
9.4 Rewiring
9.4.1 A decision on whether or not to rewire an empty property will be taken following the electrical test. The property may be programmed for rewiring in the future.
9.5 Smoke or Heat Detectors
9.5.1 The location and condition of smoke or heat detectors will be noted.
9.5.2 A minimum of one smoke or heat detector per floor of the property will be provided.
9.5.3 Smoke detectors will be tested as part of the electrical installation check and batteries will be replaced. After that, battery-operated smoke detectors and battery replacement will be the tenant’s responsibility, except for tenants in sheltered housing.
10. FENCING AND GATES
10.1 Existing fencing will be repaired or replaced as necessary.
10.2 Where existing fencing is beyond economical repair, we will replace with:
10.2.1 A single 6’0” wide, 6’0” high close boarded privacy panel on concrete posts adjoining the house.
10.2.2 The balance of the fencing will be 4’0” high concrete or steel strained posts and wire, covered with galvanised or plastic coated chain link.
10.3 Any existing external gates will be checked to ensure they can be closed securely with a latch.
11. FLOORS (excluding kitchens and bathrooms)
11.1 As far as possible, dependent on the age and nature of the building, floors will be level and suitable for coverings.
11.2 Floors will be checked to ensure that there are no loose floorboards and no nail heads sticking up.
11.3 All floor coverings and gripper rods left by the previous tenant will normally be removed. However, if floor coverings and/or gripper rods are in very good condition, they will be retained and the incoming tenant can choose whether or not to keep them.
11.4 In cases where floor coverings have been purchased from the outgoing tenant by the incoming tenant by private arrangement, these will be clearly marked and precautions will be taken to ensure that these are protected during void works.
11.5 Properties will be checked for fleas and other pests and the appropriate action taken. If woodworm treatment is required, water based treatments will generally be specified. In all cases, treatment will be compliant with health and safety practices. Certificates will be obtained.
12. GARDENS
12.1 Rubbish and debris will be cleared from gardens.
12.2 Ponds will be filled in or removed unless the incoming tenant wishes to keep the pond, in which case they will be asked to sign a form taking on responsibility for the upkeep of the pond.
12.3 Green houses, sheds and lean-tos will be removed except when they are in a good, serviceable and safe condition. In these circumstances, they will be cleared of rubbish and the incoming tenant will be given the option to keep them but will be asked to sign a form taking on responsibility for the maintenance of the structure.
12.4 Access paths and steps will be checked for safety.
13. GAS INSTALLATIONS, APPLIANCES AND FLUES
13.1 All properties with gas installations, appliances and flues will be subject to a gas safety check and a gas safety certificate (CP12) will be issued to the new tenant.
14. HEATING
14.1 Heating provision will be combined with appropriate levels of ventilation and insulation.
14.2 The main living room and bathroom will have fixed heating appliances.
14.3 Other habitable rooms will have either fixed appliances or facilities for portable heaters (not paraffin or bottled gas).
14.4 Where a property has full electric heating, a variable rate electric meter will be installed, where possible. These meters will not be installed where the property is already earmarked for replacement of the heating system.
14.5 Full central heating will not always be provided prior to the letting. Where a property has partial central heating, we will consider the installation of full central heating in the future.
14.6 Where a property has oil fired central heating, we will carry out a visual check of the oil tank to ensure it is sound.
14.7 Hot water cylinders will be provided with adequate insulation.
15. INTERNAL DECORATION
15.1 All internal exposed surfaces will be in a sound condition.
15.2 Wood chip paper will be decorated and not removed, except in the kitchen and bathroom
15.3 Properties in poor decorative order will be decorated internally. Alternatively, decoration vouchers may be provided to the incoming tenant.
16. KITCHEN
16.1 The kitchen will include a food preparation area, fully plumbed in sink, hygienic and easily cleaned worktops and space and connections for a cooker.
16.2 We will provide at least two appropriately positioned double socket electrical outlets in addition to any electric cooker point.
16.3 Kitchen fittings will be sound and in good working order.
16.4 In shared dwellings, a cooker will be provided.
16.5 Floor coverings to kitchens will be hygienic, easy to clean, slip resistant and moisture resistant.
16.6 If a sink is replaced, the new sink will include a stainless steel inset with a single drainer wherever possible.
16.7 Where sinks or taps are replaced, lever taps will be installed.
16.8 Plumbing for a washing machine will be provided where there is space for a washing machine. Where there is no existing space for a washing machine, space will be made in the kitchen wherever possible, unless there is space in another part of the property such as a utility room.
16.9 Where a new kitchen is to be installed, and the incoming tenant has been identified, they will be consulted on the design and layout of the new kitchen.
17. LOFTS
17.1 Lofts will be emptied and checks will be made to ensure that the location, size and construction of the loft access, i.e. the trap door or hatch, are safe.
17.2 Where loft insulation is lacking or substandard, new insulation will be provided.
17.3 Indirect heating systems and water tanks in lofts will be checked and where insulation is lacking or substandard, new insulation will be provided.
18. METERS AND ENERGY SUPPLIES
18.1 All meters (gas, electric and water) will be read.
18.2 Where a meter has been removed, we will replace it.
18.3 Electricity and (where available) gas will be supplied by Scottish and Southern Energy Limited at the time of letting. After that, the new resident is free to switch to another supplier if they wish.
19. OPEN FIRES
19.1 If a solid fuel system is to be retained or installed, the chimney will be swept.
19.2 Solid fuel appliances will be subject to safety checks.
20. PLANNED MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS
20.1 Wherever possible, we will let new residents know if their home is due to have major works or improvements in the near future, such as a new kitchen, bathroom, or window replacement.
21. SECURITY
21.1 Windows at ground floor level or in vulnerable positions will be provided with locks, wherever possible.
21.2 External doors to individual dwellings will be sturdy with a Euro profile mortice lock.
21.3 All available keys will be provided to the new tenant at the start of the tenancy. A minimum of two keys will be provided to the main entrance door to the home.
22. STAIRS (internal and external, including communal approach)
22.1 Stairs and staircases will be well lit. Balustrades / handrails will be safe and secure, and wherever possible will run along the whole length of the stairs.
22.2 The floor surface will be slip resistant and there will be adequate drainage on external stairs.
22.3 Tripping hazards will be removed.
22.4 Lighting levels will be appropriate to the location and use.
23. VENTILATION
23.1 Appropriate ventilation will be provided by a combination of openable windows and background ventilation (e.g. by way of air bricks or vents in window frames).
23.2 Extraction fans will be provided for rooms such as basements, which would otherwise be difficult to ventilate.
23.3 Where a dampness or condensation problem is identified, remedial measures will be provided.
24. WELCOME PACK
24.1 All new residents will be provided with a Welcome Pack, containing a number of useful household items. The content of the packs may vary from time to time.
25. WINDOWS AND GLAZING
25.1 All window glazing below 800mm and all internal and external glazed doors will be checked to ensure that it complies with current safety standards. Where the existing glazing does not meet the required standard, it will be replaced.
25.2 Windows will only be replaced where they are in exceptionally poor condition and are not due to be replaced within the next few years. Windows may be programmed for replacement in the future.
25.3 Restrictors will be fitted, where the design or material allows, on windows above ground floor, or on ground floor windows where the drop from the external sill to ground level is greater than 1.5m.
25.4 Where restrictors are already fitted these will be checked to ensure that they are in a serviceable condition.
25.5 Windows will have handles and stays which are in a serviceable condition, capable of being opened and closed securely. Wherever possible, keys will be available for windows where locks are fitted.
last updated 03.08.06
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