The Wandle Lettable Standard
The Wandle Standard - General
Wandle will only let homes that meet the Wandle lettable standard
as set out in this document.
We will only let homes once we have carried out any required
repairs which are our responsibility as a landlord, and once we
have checked the weather-tightness of windows, doors outside walls
and roofs. There will be no sign of infestation, damp or damage to
the building structure (roofs, walls, windows and doors).
All fixtures and fittings must be fit for purpose, safe and in good
working order.
All of the previous tenant’s belongings will be removed with the
exception of hard floor coverings and other built-in items if
considered serviceable and worthy of ’gifting’ to the incoming tenant.
The property will be clean and clear of all rubbish, including the
garden and loft space.
We will conduct safety checks of all electrical and gas installations
and obtain appropriate certificates showing that these installations
are safe prior to letting the home.
How we decide what works to do
When a Wandle home becomes void, it will be surveyed within 24
hours of the keys being returned. The survey will be carried out
using the survey form which will detail all repairs required to the
property in order to achieve the lettable standard set out in this
document.
Gas & Electrical Supplies
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Most properties will have both gas and electricity, meter readings of
both will be taken at handover. The incoming tenant will need to
set up an account with the suppliers of their choice.
If electricity or gas meters (where a gas supply is required for heating
or cooking) have been removed or are damaged, Wandle will arrange
to have these replaced prior to letting.
Electrical Installations
Electrical
work
will
be
carried
out
to
Institute
of
Electrical
Engineers Regulations and a NICEIC safety certificate or similar
approved document, will be issued. The installation must be deemed
‘satisfactory’ and a 10 year certificate issued, with C1 and C2
recommendations.
Electrical socket outlets
Should the any of the socket outlets be cracked or damaged by smoke
staining, all will be replaced with white high impact plastic
faceplates (MK or similar approved).
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Kitchen to include:

Double switched socket outlets (4 No DSSO) above worktop

Cooker control unit with neon indicator in kitchen

Fused Spur Units up to 5 No

Switched single socket outlets (SSO) below worktop
Lounge - minimum of four double switched sockets, two where the
TV is likely to be placed.
Main/only bedroom - minimum of four switched double sockets.
Other bedrooms - minimum of two switched double socket.
Halls/landings - minimum of one single socket per floor level.
Bathroom/WC – none
Gas Installations & Central Heating
Where a property has gas appliances, registered Gas Safe engineers
will test gas installations and a LGSR safety certificate will be
issued. If there is no ‘live’ gas supply, we will test the installation,
cap off at the meter, and conduct the LGSR once the incoming
tenant has established an account for the supply of gas.
A source of heating will be provided; this will be a hot water
radiator, electric storage heater or a solid fuel fire or underfloor
heating (where existing).
All cold water supply pipes not within the occupied area of the
premises, e.g. roof space, external stores, will be lagged to prevent
freezing.
All properties will have a carbon monoxide detector fitted where
applicable i.e. AICO EI225EN
Lighting:
All rooms will have a minimum of one overhead light. Ceiling
mounted lights will generally be pendants with shade lock rings.
In the bathroom/shower room/separate WC, all lights will be water
resistant and operated by a pull cord or a switch located outside the
room.
All light fixtures will be fitted with appropriate low energy light
bulbs.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Should the any of the light fittings be cracked or damaged by smoke
staining, all will be replaced with white high impact plastic
faceplates (MK or similar approved).
Plumbing
The mains stop cock is to be checked and if faulty be replaced with
new.
Direct mains cold water supply must be supplied as a minimum to
kitchen sink and if possible to the bathroom wash hand basin.
A cold water supply will be provided to the bath/shower/WC.
A single means of heating water and supplying hot water to sink,
wash hand basin, bath or shower will be provided.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
An appropriate cover and insulation will be fitted to the Cold Water
storage tank.
Floors and stairs
Floors will be safe and level with no trip hazards, and worn or
damaged floor tiles or vinyl flooring in kitchens and baths will be
replaced.
The bathroom, WC and kitchen will have a water resistant floor
covering.
Stairs and banisters must be safe, secure and meet present day
building regulations (100mm sphere must not be able to pass
through tang gaps).
Walls and ceilings
Wall and ceiling finishes will be left fit for easy decoration.
All missing/defective sections of skirting board will be replaced and
ready for gloss paint.
All polystyrene tile/sheets must be removed and made good ready for
decoration.
Kitchens
Ventilation of kitchen areas will be by opening of windows or
extractor fans. Should an extractor fan be required, a Greenwood
Airvac CV2 GIP fan to be fitted including core drilling hole where
required.
Install a hard wire heat alarm - AICO EI144RC HEAT ALARM.
All kitchen units and worktop areas will be serviceable and clean.
We will replace all damaged worktops and units as part of void
works.
There will be a minimum of 450mm of tiling above worktops,
behind sinks and cooker space.
Existing washing machine plumbing will be plugged/capped and
left for the incoming tenant. Where there is no existing provision for
washing machine and space permits, this will be installed and we
will provide a hole/access for washing machine plumbing.
Flooring will either be sheet vinyl covering or vinyl floor tiles.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Note: Should a full kitchen replacement be required immediately
due to significant damage or wear to base or wall unit carcasses, this
will be carried out as part of void works to a specification
equivalent to that which is used in our planned replacement
programmes (Decent Homes).
Bathrooms and WCs
All sanitary ware will be in good condition and clean, including
wash hand basins, baths and toilets with a new toilet seat installed.
Ventilation of separate or combined bathrooms and WCs will be by
opening of windows or light/humidistat extractor fan combination
(Greenwood Airvac CV2 GIP fan)Traps and wastes will be free
flowing.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Showers, if installed, will be working as per the manufacturer’s
instructions and tested. Appropriate tiling or other splashback
behind and alongside a fixed shower unit will be provided (or
installed if none existing).
Taps will operate freely and be free from leaks.
Baths and wash hand basins will have tiled splash-backs a
minimum of 450mm high and a sealed joint to the wall. Both will
have plugs and chains.
Flooring will be sheet vinyl covering or vinyl floor tiles.
Note: Should a full bathroom replacement be required immediately
due to significant damage or wear to sanitary ware or units, this
will be carried out as part of void works to a specification
equivalent to that which is used in our planned replacement
programmes (Decent Homes).
Hallway
Install a hard wired smoke alarm - AICO EI146RC SMOKE ALARM
Doors
All doors and frames, external or internal, will be free of any
damage, rot or decay, and hung correctly to allow easy opening and
closure.
Any glazing will be in good condition and, if necessary, renewed to
current British Standards.
Front doors will have a cylinder lock and a five-lever mortise lock
with two keys for each. They will be fitted with a spy hole and
security chain or, where a composite or PVCu door has been fitted, it
will comply with British standard locks.
Side or rear doors will be fitted with a deadlock and/or barrel bolt
or, where a composite or PVCu door has been fitted, it will comply
with British standard locks.
Kitchens in flats and houses will have, as a minimum, half-hour
fire-resistant doors.
Where the property is a flat that opens out onto an internal
communal corridor it will be fitted with a minimum half hour fire
check door.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Windows
Windows will be free of rot or decay, able to be opened and closed
safely and securely and will be weather and water-tight.
Glazing will be in good condition and, if renewed, will meet
current British Standards.
Window locks will be fitted for all windows at lower ground, ground
and first floor. Locks will be working and a minimum of two keys
will be issued for each type of window lock.
Child-proof window restrictors will be fitted to all windows at first
floor and above.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Decoration, furnishings and cleanliness
The property will be thoroughly cleaned throughout following
completion of the works.
The internal decoration of the property is the responsibility of the
incoming tenant unless one of the following criteria apply:
a) The property is deemed hard to let by the Operations Manager. In
this case, either or both the kitchen and bathroom will be
redecorated.
b) The property is being marketed to Shared Owners, Key Workers or
for
Market
Rent,
in
which
case
the
property
will
be
fully
redecorated to Wandle’s decoration standard. Note: these properties
may include new or recently PAT-tested washing machine, fridge
freezer, hob/cooker, etc which must be tested and left in situ.
c) The property is part of a Sheltered/Supported Housing scheme, in
which case it will be fully redecorated to the Wandle standard. Note:
these properties may include new or recently PAT tested washing
machine, fridge freezer, hob/cooker, etc which must be tested and
left in situ.
In exceptional circumstances, rooms may be decorated by us prior to
letting. Alternatively, incoming tenants may be offered a decoration
pack (provided through Dulux) appropriate to the size of the
property.
Thermal insulation
Lofts will be insulated to a minimum thickness of 270mm and,
where possible, cavity walls will be insulated.
Hot water cylinders will be lagged to the most recent standard.
Energy Performance Certificate
In accordance with the law we will provide you with and energy
performance certificate detailing how your property is expected to
perform in respect of carbon emissions and energy efficiency.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Asbestos
Any asbestos identified within the property will have been made
safe in accordance with our policy. Incoming tenants will be
provided with specific advice and guidance regarding Asbestos
Containing Materials as they relate to the individual property.
Non-Standard Items
Wherever possible, ‘non-standard’ items should remain in situ.
Examples of non-standard items that can remain include:

Coving (not polystyrene)

Kitchen units

Dado rails

Ceiling roses

Cornice (not polystyrene)

Doors and door furniture

Built in wardrobes

Sheds if in reasonable condition

Ceramic floor tiles
In cases where the previous tenant has carried out satisfactory
alterations, these can remain in situ on the understanding that any
subsequent replacement or repair works would be to normal Wandle
standards and may not include like-for-like replacement of the
previous tenant’s enhancements ie sheds, green houses, carpets,
built-ins, etc.
External Areas
The property will be weather tight with no apparent signs of
defective or damaged areas or items.
Existing paths, paving and steps will be safe as will existing
boundary walls, fencing, railings and gates.
Garden ponds will be emptied and filled in.
Unsafe green houses and sheds will be removed.
External meter boxes will have the proper protective doors.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017
Rainwater goods will be checked and serviceable.
Where there is a garden it will be clear of rubbish and cut to a
manageable level.
Welcome Pack
A welcome pack will be left in the home containing small samples
of essentials to assist with the first day or two of moving in. In
addition, information about Wandle as an organization and the
specific property will be contained within the welcome pack.
Photographic Records
Photographs will be taken of each property prior to void works and
following handback to confirm the condition of the property before and
after works, prior to the tenant moving in.
VPP – April 2015 V5 – review due April 2017