Moving Into Your Home

We like to make the process of moving home as easy and welcoming as possible. To achieve this, we have certain standards that our homes must meet before we let them.

The Standard of Your Home

Before we let a home, we make sure it’s secure, safe and complies with all the legal requirements. It must also be clean, tidy and free from rubbish and it must meet the minimum Decent Home Standard. 

Here we’ll explain the minimum standards you can expect when moving into one of our homes, and how you can help us make sure they’ve been achieved. 

Monitoring 

We will work with you to ensure that moving into your new home is as easy as possible. When you are ready to sign up for your new home we will give you a lettable standard checklist to ensure that the minimum standard has been met. Within 4 weeks of moving into your new home we will visit you to see how you’re settling in. Part of this visit will be to discuss how satisfied you were with the condition of your home when you moved in, any repairs issues outstanding and the process to follow if you want to make any alterations to your home. 

Flexibility for Tenants  

There may be occasions where the previous tenant would like to leave something in the property which the new tenant may want to keep. This may include floor coverings or curtains etc. 

This must be agreed previously with Watmos. Providing we have no objection to an item remaining in the home, you, as the new tenant will be asked to sign a disclaimer accepting that you will be wholly responsible for the item from the start of the tenancy, if it is to be kept. 

Items which we would not agreed being left may include those that are a health and safe risk, or those that may cause nuisance to other residents (for example, unsafe appliances or furniture, or floor covering fitted without proper insulation which would cause noise nuisance). 

Cleaning 

  • All properties will be thoroughly cleaned, free from rubbish with the floors swept and mopped 
  • Lofts will be empty 
  • Kitchen units and worktops will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
  • Bathroom fittings and tiles will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
  • Wall tiles to be thoroughly cleaned and grouting free from mould
  • Internal and external doors, frames and architraves will be cleaned 
  • Windows and frames will be cleaned internally 
  • Homes will be in a prepared condition ready for the new tenant to decorate as required

Doors and Windows 

  • External doors will be in good repair and will have had new locks fitted
  • Broken or cracked glass will be replaced, window frames will be clean, safe and in good repair with all catches and fasteners working properly
  • Windows above the ground floor will be fitted with safety restrictors in good working condition
  • Internal doors will be secure, will open and close freely and be in good repair

Walls and Floors 

  • Floors will be clean, safe and free from trip hazards
  • The kitchen, bathroom and toilet will have a clean washable floor
  • Carpets and carpet grips will have been removed unless you want to keep them
  • Polystyrene ceiling tiles and covings will have been removed and ceilings made good
  • Stair treads, risers, handrails and posts will be safe and secure
  • Walls and ceilings will be free from mould
  • Damaged asbestos will have been removed from your home

Kitchen 

  • The number and type of kitchen units provided will depend on the type and size of your home. There will be at least two base units and at least one wall unit for storage along with adequate worktop space. 
  • All units, drawers, cupboards and worktops will be clean and in good working order
  • The sink will be clean, free from blockages and have a chain and plug
  • Plumbing will be in good working order and free from blockages
  • There will be space for a cooker, fridge and washing machine and a connection for the cooker and washing machine
  • Wall tiles will be clean and safe
  • They’ll be adequate ventilation

Bathroom and Toilet 

  • Each bathroom contains a washbasin, toilet and either a bath or shower
  • Toilets have a new toilet seat, baths will be secure, sealed to the wall and have a plug and chain
  • Bathroom fittings will be clean, work properly, have no cracks and be securely fixed
  • There will be at least three rows of clean, safe and secure wall tiles around the bath
  • There will be appropriate methods used to ensure adequate ventilation 

Utilities 

The home will have: 

  • Useable water, electric and gas supplies (where provided) and adequate drainage
  • Working hot water
  • A safe and useable heating system
  • A working mains smoke detector
  • Safety certificates for electric and gas, if applicable 

Outside your Home 

We will make sure: 

  • Grassed areas are mowed and overgrown bushes cut back 
  • Gardens, balconies and sheds are free from rubbish 
  • Existing fences, hedges, walls and gates are safe, secure and in good repair 
  • Drains, gutters, downpipes and overflows are free from blockages and leaks 
  • Pathways are safe
  • Roofs are safe, secure and watertight