FCHO Lettable Standard
Introduction
The purpose of this Lettable Standard is to
let FCHO customers know what standard
properties should meet when they take a
tenancy with us. The Standard also helps to
ensure that our properties meet a consistent
standard in all areas where we have homes.
In General...
The property will look in good order
and be clean, tidy and secure
At the time of moving in, the property
will be:
• In good repair, or to the standard agreed
with you prior to moving in
• Cleaned to standard that we agree
with you
• Free from damp, wet rot, timber decay or
infestation. (where possible to inspect)
• Internal windows will be clean.
Customer Choice
FCHO are now in a position to offer a
choice of kitchen colours and styles
from a range of new units. Where
possible we will allow you to pick your
own kitchen and have input into the
layout. If a kitchen is found to be in less
than average condition when it
becomes empty, we may fit a new
kitchen after you have moved in. In
such circumstances you will be made
aware of this at sign up.
Your decision...
Customer Choice!
First Choice Homes is a customer driven
organisation and recognises that
sometimes people need or want to
move into our homes quickly. If this is
the case, it is acceptable if you wish to
take the tenancy on a property which
does not meet this standard currently,
in order to enable you to move in
quickly. This is only possible however as
long as the minimum statutory safety
checks for electric and gas including any
other hazards have been undertaken.
The property will be let in a condition
agreed with you. Any required works will
be carried out at an agreed time once
you have moved in, usually within 15
working days. If you identify any further
repairs that are needed after you move
in, please report these through the
FCHO Service Centre on 0161 770 6699.
Any repairs reported after the start of
the tenancy will be completed with
FCHO’s normal timescales.
External Communal areas
• The interior of communal areas should be
clear of rubbish
• Any reports of graffiti will be reported and
removed as soon as possible
• Internal handrails and steps where
applicable will be safe
• Lifts will be working
Exterior of your home
• Roofs should be in watertight condition
• Gardens will be free from visable rubbish
and hazards
Inside The Property...
• Gutters and downpipes will be intact and
free from visible leaks
• The Interior of property will be cleaned to
the standard agreed with you.
• Any minor repairs required to existing
fencing, walls, hedges, gates etc. may be
arranged around you where possible after
your tenancy has started. Any major
repairs or replacements that are needed
may be put into future programmes at a
time when funds become available
• There will be an air freshener on each
floor of your property where required
• If we identify that the garden is very
overgrown we may offer assistance to
strim the grass. This will be discussed with
you at the sign-up stage.
• Access paths will be safe
• External handrails and steps will be safe
• Gullies and grids will be clean, and free
from visible obstruction. Covers will be
easy to lift.
• Details of gas safety checks at the
property will be provided within two
weeks of you moving in where applicable
• Details on how to find the fuse box and
water stop tap will be provided at your
accompanied viewing
• The property will have adequate heating
facilities.
There is an on-going investment plan
to bring First Choice Homes Oldham
properties up to the Decent Homes
Standard. If the property has not yet
had all the Decent Homes works
completed on it we will try to advise
you when this may take place.
• Doors and windows will be watertight
and will open and close with ease.
• Two keys/fobs will be provided for all
lockable doors and one key provided for
windows
• Floors and stairs will be in a condition, fit
to receive floor coverings/carpets. If you
intend to fit lino/floor tiles over floor
boards, you may first need to overboard
them at your own expense. Technical
advice can be given upon request.
• Balustrades and handrails will be secure
• Where visible plaster work will be in
satisfactory condition
• Cosmetic plaster cracks are considered to
be a tenant’s responsibility and should be
dealt with as part of the redecoration of
the property when you move in – see
decoration section for more information
• We will make sure that no electrical outlets
in any rooms have bare wires before you
move in
• We will fix any visible leaks in all rooms
before you move in
• We will ensure a gas safety check has
been carried out by the gas maintenance
contractor at the start of your tenancy
• We will clean the floors and take away the
carpets unless they are in an excellent
condition or unless otherwise agreed
with you
• We will remove any previous tenant's own
improvements that do not meet our
standards
• We will usually keep disabled adaptations
that have been made to the property
• Gloss paintwork will be cleaned unless
otherwise agreed
• If you accept a property with a level
access shower already installed, we will
maintain it but not replace it with a bath.
The Kitchen
• Kitchen units will be clean and in a
serviceable condition – unless otherwise
agreed with you
• When replacing or repairing units and
worktops, we will colour match where
possible or if cost effective to do so
• Worktops will be in a good condition
• There will be at least a double wall unit or
equivalent, a sink unit and a single or
double base unit dependent on space
• If a replacement kitchen is fitted whilst
empty, where possible we will look to
make space available for a fridge freezer,
cooker and a washer.
• If the existing kitchen layout does not
meet your requirements then FCHO may
on occassion make minor alterations to
accommodate you - ONLY if financial
resources are available.
NOTE Due to space restrictions standard
white goods may not be suitable narrow or slim line white goods are
available from most retailers.
• Floor covering will be in good condition
and washable where supplied
• Where possible we will fit plumbing for
automatic washing machines – if the
outgoing tenant left plumbing facilities
we will not remove them unless they are
considered to be unsatisfactory
The Bathroom
All fittings will be clean and in good
condition unless otherwise agreed.
Bathrooms will have: a toilet, a bath or
shower and a wash hand basin. In
some properties the toilet may be in a
separate room to the shower or bath.
• The toilet seat will be replaced, and
where possible colour matched to
bathroom suite
• Toilet will be clean and have fresh water in
toilet bowl
• We will use obscure glass in windows
where required
• If we renew tiling we will make sure that
you have at least two rows of wall tiles
above the bath, and one row of tiles
above the wash hand basin
• If we renew wall tiling and grouting, it will
be clean and sound
• Seals around bath and sink will be clean
and in good condition
• Floor will be made suitable to receive
floor covering
We will clean worktops and wall
cupboards inside and out unless agreed
otherwise
• We will replace, repair or remove
damaged floor tiles
• We will supply gas or electricity facilities
for cooking. If two types of power were
originally provided we will maintain them
where possible
• The connection of a supply to the cooker
is a tenants own responsibility.
• Bathroom suites will be colour matched
where possible and/or cost effective to
do so
Decoration
• If major re-plastering works are identified
once you begin to decorate your property,
we will complete these works within an
agreed period with you once your tenancy
has started.
• In exceptional circumstances we may
decorate properties prior to letting
FCHO has an in-house Decorating
Team. We do work for tenants of
FCHO and residents of Oldham.
As with any other decorator, you can
provide your own materials such as
paint or wall covering, or you can use
the paint we can supply. FCHO do not
offer wall coverings. Tenants can also
offset the decoration voucher you may
be given when moving into an FCHO
home for this service.
We want you to be able to make your
home your own. To help you do this
we may provide decoration vouchers
dependant upon the condition of the
existing decoration.
• Decorations are considered to be a tenants
own responsibility
• First Choice Homes are working in
partnership with decoration suppliers, who
will be able to advise on decoration issues
and how to obtain supplies. Details will be
given when you sign for your new tenancy
• Gloss paintwork will be cleaned unless
otherwise agreed
• Any graffiti or mould identified during the
inspection will be removed or treated prior
to your tenancy commencing
• We will not repair cosmetic plaster cracks they are a tenants responsibility
For more information on prices or how
to get a no obligation quote completed,
please phone 0161 770 4409.
A decoration allowance will be
given to you in the following
circumstances:
• Paper surfaces are stained, marked,
torn or missing
• Walls or ceiling have been re-plastered.
• Marks have been left on the walls or
woodwork
• The décor is faded or of an unusual
design.
If you need some extra help...
• Help with Aids and Adaptations may
be available if required. Please discuss
with your Housing Officer or phone
0161 770 1447
• We recognise that older and disabled
people may not be able to decorate
themselves and so where needed, we
will decorate for you before you move
in, or put you in touch with somebody
who can do it for you – there may be a
charge attached to this service.
Tenant Own Improvements
• Any fixtures, fittings or structures left at
the property by the previous tenant will
be checked to ensure they meet health
and safety requirements or current
building regulations if applicable - If they
do - in some circumstances the tenant
may be asked to accept responsibility
for these items, or will be given the
opportunity to have them removed.
settled into your new property, to try and
resolve any outstanding issues that you
may have, and to also give you the
opportunity to feedback on the standard
of the property.
• After moving into your property, if you
identify any repairs that you think are
required please let the Service Centre
know on 0161 770 6699 or speak to your
local housing team. These repairs will be
dealt with as quickly as possible in
accordance with FCHO Repairs Service
Standards. For more details please look in
your welcome pack you will receive with
the keys for the property.
Boilers and Heat Meters
• Further information regarding boilers and
heat meters will be provided in your sign
up pack once you get your keys to the
FCHO property.
In some cases FCHO will assume
responsibility for the improvement,
and you will be informed.
New Tenancy Visits
• If you have any concerns or questions
about the information detailed in this
leaflet, or in relation to your new property,
please speak to your Neighbourhood
Officer at your New Tenancy Visit.
• This visit will take place soon after you
move in to your new home with FCHO
• The visit is to make sure that you have
Please return your completed survey to your
Neighbourhood Officer at the New Tenancy Visit
after you move in.
Contact telephone numbers
• FCHO Service Centre: 0161 770 6699
• Housing Options Centre: 0800 328 7788
• FCHO Heating Section: 0161 770 4560
• Aids and Adaptations: 0161 770 1447
• FCHO Decorating Team: 0161 770 4409
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR ENQUIRY
Date
Who you spoke to
What was discussed
Lettable Standard Survey
Name:
Address:
Ref:
1. Thinking about when you FIRST APPLIED to First Choice Homes Oldham for housing...
a) Was the application and re-housing process
clearly explained to you?
Yes
b) How was the process explained to you?
in person
c) Did you need any help filling in the form?
No Yes If YES please state why/what help was
given (if any) by FCHO:
d) Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
Yes
No
If YES please detail:
e) Did the adverts give you enough information to
help you decide what properties to bid for?
Yes
No
No Opinion
No
No Opinion
leaflet
OVERALL, how did you find FCHO’s way of accessing a new home?
(please tick one option only) Very easy Fairly easy Neither Fairly hard
phone
can’t remember
Very hard
No opinion
2. Thinking about when you VIEWED your new home, how would you rate the following...?
a) The convenience of your viewing
appointment
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
b) Time taken between offer of
accommodation and viewing
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
c) Information given by Officer
during the viewing
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
3. When you signed your tenancy agreement and got your keys...
a) Did the member of staff explain things clearly to you? Yes
b) Was the amount of information in the sign up pack?
No
Too much
If NO please give reason/details:
About right
Should anything else be included? Yes
If YES please state what was missing:
No
4. Thinking about when you MOVED INTO your new home, how would you rate...?
Very good Fairly good Fairly poor Very poor
a) Cleanliness of the property
No opinion
b) Tidiness of the garden
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
c) Overall condition
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
d) Did you agree for any repairs to
be carried out after moving in?
Yes No Don’t know
If YES were they completed within the agreed timescales?
Don’t know Timescales not explained
e) Were you given a copy of the
'Lettable Standard' leaflet before
moving into your new home
Yes
No
Yes
No
Don’t know
5. Information after you moved in...
a) Have you received a copies of the Gas Safety Certificate (if applicable)
Yes
No
Don’t know
b) Were you shown how to use your boiler/heating system?
Yes
No
Don’t know
c) Have you had instructions on how to use/reset your fuse box and test
your smoke alarms?
Yes
No
Don’t know
6. Satisfaction
a) If you did receive a copy of the
‘Lettable Standard’, how satisfied are you that
your home met the standards in the leaflet?
Very Satisfied Fairly Satisfied Fairly Dissatisfied
Very Dissatisfied No opinion/Don’t know
b) OVERALL, how satisfied are you with the
property?
Very Satisfied Fairly Satisfied
Very Dissatisfied No opinion
Fairly Dissatisfied
c) How satisfied are you with the experience as
a whole?
Very Satisfied Fairly Satisfied
Very Dissatisfied No opinion
Fairly Dissatisfied
Please comment in the box below if you have any suggestions you feel will improve our letting
procedures and standards:
Notes:
If you would like this document in another language or format, please contact us on
0161 770 3569 quoting FCHO-??-??-??