Letting standard

Our customer scrutiny group's reviewed this standard on letting voids (empty homes) and it was rewritten to reflect their findings.

Doors and windows

• Ensure safe operation; repair or replace if in dangerous condition.
• Ensure all are in a good state of repair, open/close as required. Ease/repair as necessary.
• Re-glaze broken or cracked glass. Damaged or misted double glazed units may be replaced after letting if made safe.
• All windows above ground floor should have restrictors fitted and in working order.
• All external doors will have a lock in working order.
• The main entrance door will have a letterbox (if not possible then a box shall be provided) and a house number and will be in good decorative order.
• Any glass in doors should be safety glass.
• All door bells whether battery or hard wired should be removed.

Kitchen and bathroom

• Provide wipeable splashback to sink, basin, worktop, and bath. If shower in place splashback to ceiling.
• Kitchen units will be in good working order and adjusted as required; doors/drawer fronts may vary.
• Provide space for a cooker to meet regulations (minimum 600mm), washing machine and fridge/freezer where required. In some schemes, washing machine spaces may not be required.
• Provide an electric point and/or gas point for cooker connection.
• Check pipes and fittings for leaks and repair as necessary. Locate and identify stopcock.fan
• Replace plug and chain to basin, bath and all sinks if required.
• Ensure that bathrooms have a bath and/or shower, wash hand basin and WC, in good working order.
• Replace cracked or excessively stained baths, showers, toilets, and wash hand basin.
• Replace toilet seats and ensure toilet operates correctly.
• Mastic seal to be in place and free from stains.
• Humidity controlled extractor fans should be provided. Where in place existing should be cleaned and serviced to ensure full working order.

Walls, floors and ceilings

• Make good any major defects to plasterwork/finishes to walls and ceilings.
• Repair or replace damaged floorboards/floor tiles.
• Replace vinyl sheet in kitchen and bathroom if in poor condition or not slip resistant.
• If floor coverings are in good condition, then leave ready to be gifted to the incoming tenant. Clean carpets if required so they may be left.
• Laminate or wood flooring can remain if in good condition other than in flats/maisonettes above ground floor where it should be removed on the ground of preventing noise nuisance.
• Anti-vibration mats are to be fitted into the washing machine space to prevent noise nuisance in all properties with a kitchen above ground floor.
• Ensure all floors are reasonably level and ready for new floor covering.
• Replace missing skirting and architrave.
• All picture hooks, drawing pins, Sellotape and blue tack will be removed from walls and holes filled ready for decorating.
• Curtain battens will be fitted above all windows.
• Polystyrene tiles and coving will be removed from ceilings and the areas made good and left ready for decorating or decorated as agreed.

Gas and electric

• Undertake gas and electric safety checks and provide certificate.
• Undertake portable appliance testing (PAT) as required for Westward owned appliances.
• Remove standalone (open flue) gas fires if central heating is installed.
• Block any open fireplaces with blockwork with a plastered finish.
• Space heating will be provided for all rooms and in working condition.
• Meter cupboards should be in good condition.

Decorating

• Property will be left in good decorative order.
• Where decoration is poor, decoration vouchers will be offered.
• If the property is in such condition that it is unreasonable to expect incoming customer to re-decorate, we will redecorate.
• Older people's services and supported housing will be in a good decorative order. If in poor condition, redecorate as directed (as defined by supported housing manager).

Cleaning

• The property will be clean and tidy to include:
• Clean kitchen units inside and out/work surfaces
• Clean any Westward owned appliances such as fridges and cookers.
• Wipe clean all sockets, switches and pendants.
• Clean window frames and sills
• Wipe clean wall tiles.
• Stains/mould removed from all surfaces.
• Clean kitchen sink, drainer, and taps
• Dust and clean doors, skirting boards and radiators
• Floors swept and free of debris and mopped.
• Clean bathroom suite, including shower chairs.
• Remove all cobwebs.
• Remove junk mail.
• Vacuum carpets and clean if required.
• Clean all furniture owned by Westward.
• All windows on ground floor to be cleaned inside and out including frames and glazing.
• All windows above ground floor to be cleaned inside including frames and glazing.
• Woodwork/radiators will be washed down and be free of dust and mould.

Throughout

We will:

• Provide two sets of front/back door keys and two sets of keys to any communal entrance. In supported housing, keys to be provided to housing worker.
• Carry out visual inspections to check for structural stability and other health and safety issues via the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
• Provide an energy performance certificate (EPC) where one is not available
• Ensure hard wired smoke/carbon monoxide alarms are in place, in date and in working order and meet BS5839 LD2 as a minimum.
• Remove or make safe any damaged asbestos.
• Where asbestos is in good condition, ensure it is safe and continue to monitor.
• Treat visible infestation of insects/pests
• Loft insulation will comply with latest building regulations
• Provide location, serial number and read meters for gas, electric and water at start and end of void period.
• Clear loft space

External areas

• Roofs/chimneys/flashing will be watertight, structurally sound and fit for purpose.
• Repair or replace any leaking rainwater guttering or downpipes.
• Ensure that paths, fences and gates are in reasonable condition and do not present any health and safety hazard. Patios/decking should be made safe from trip hazards prior to being gifted to the incoming customer.
• All grass areas to be trimmed to a manageable level.
• Bushes/trees will be cut back to a manageable level.
• All air brick vents to be checked for obstructions and cleared if necessary.
• Remove any dangerous structures such as sheds, greenhouses, and garages.
• Clear the property and garden of all rubbish.
• Ponds - remove wildlife, drain and infill with soil.
• Remove decorative features unless the incoming customers wishes to be gifted them for example dado rail, shelving, wall cupboards, mirrors.

Works for completion after occupation

• We will let the customer know if any minor works are outstanding and agree when these will be completed.
• We will let the customer know of any planned future improvement work in the property.