Moving In

When does my tenancy start?

The date written on your Tenancy Agreement is when you become the legal tenant. From that date on, you are responsible for your home and for paying rent, even if you do not move in immediately.See TENANCY AGREEMENT and When You Move in below.

What about repairs and redecoration?

Before we let a property, we inspect it, and carry out gas and electrical safety checks. We also do any essential repairs. These should be completed before you move in, although we may have to do some minor jobs after you move in. You will be informed if this is the case. Decorating the inside of your home is your responsibility, although we may give you a decoration allowance. See Decoration Allowances below.

Can I put in my own fittings?

You can install your own fittings such as shelves and wall cupboards, as long as you do not damage or remove anything, or alter our property. If you want to make other alterations you must ask for our written permission. See IMPROVEMENTS.

Are there any spare keys to the property?

We do not hold spares. We provide you with at least one set of keys and any existing spares. It is your responsibility to obtain any further sets.

What if I am a first time tenant?

We want you to be happy and settled in your home. Being a tenant brings with it some responsibilities and we appreciate that renting a home for the first time can be a bit daunting. We are happy to offer advice whenever we can. Contact your Area Housing Office and see When You Move in below and SAFETY IN THE HOME. If you cannot afford to furnish or equip your new home, there are some organisations that can help towards buying basic items or getting hold of second-hand furniture. Ask at your Area Housing Office.

Can I have a water meter fitted?

Yes, but you need to get our permission if you intend to have one fitted. See Water Meters below. Your water company will install the meter. Contact your water company.

When You Move In

You will need to make the following arrangements:

contact the electricity, gas, water and telephone companies to tell them you are the new tenant
take out home contents insurance for your own possessions
arrange for your TV licence to be transferred
tell your Council Tax Office that you have moved
if you received Housing Benefit at your previous address inform the Housing Benefit Office that you have moved. If you do not move into your new home immediately and have a period of 'overlap' you will only receive benefit for rent on one of the properties
if you claim Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance, tell the Benefits Agency that you have moved.
if you are not on Housing Benefit you should apply immediately as you may be entitled to some benefit. This must be done during the first week of your new tenancy otherwise Housing Benefit may not be paid from the start of the tenancy.

See USEFUL CONTACTS for how to contact the various offices.

Tenants' Home Contents Insurance

We strongly advise you to take out insurance. For example, if a pipe bursts, we will not normally be responsible for any damage to your belongings - only for repairing the burst pipe.

A basic insurance scheme should also cover you against damage to, or theft of, your personal belongings, carpets, furniture and other household contents and decorations.

Decoration Allowances

When you move in you may be given decoration vouchers to help with decoration. The vouchers can be exchanged for certain types of materials at local stores. This will depend on the decorative condition of the property when you move in. Decoration is your responsibility so the vouchers will only be a contribution. It will not cover the full cost.

When you move in you will be given a form to complete. When you return this form we will send you a cheque to cover your decoration allowance.

Water Meters

If you choose to have one installed you need to get our permission. You need to contact your local water company to get it installed.

If you decide to go onto a water meter the water company may give you a limited period in which you can change your mind and go back to 'unmetered' billing. However, if you move into a home that already has a meter your water will always be metered.

Community Alarm

If you have moved into a property fitted with a community alarm linked to the Council's Central Control, you should have a leaflet explaining how the equipment and the service work.

If you would like someone to explain the system to you, you should contact our Community Alarm Service. See USEFUL CONTACTS.

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MOVING IN

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