APPENDIX A
Private Leasing Schemes - draft minimum standards for
properties
E: essential requirement D: desirable
Heating and Energy Efficiency
 No LPG, due to high running costs, no solid fuel heating (except as back-up)
(E)
 Open fires (where present): grate should be in good repair where provided, flue
swept and all in good working order. Non-functioning fires/flues should be
sealed to prevent use (E)
 Energy Performance Certificate should be provided by the owner before
agreeing to take the property on – should be a minimum of a band D. Where
there is oil heating – minimum band C (E)
 Heating in every room – including bathroom (even if only a fan heater) (E)
 Reasonably efficient and economical to run (E)
 No wall-mounted gas heaters unless contained within a safety cage (E)
 No gas fires in bedrooms (E)
 Copy of current CP12 gas certificate (E)
 Landlord should pay for gas soundness test at procurement (E)
 User manuals should be provided for all appliances (D)
 Working carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in any room where there
is a non-balanced flue gas appliance, such as a gas fire, back boiler or gas
warm air unit (E)
Windows and doors
 Windows will be weather-tight, properly secured with keys where locks are fitted
(keys - D)
 Double glazing should have trickle vents or top opening lights (D)
 Opening restrictors are not allowed on ground floor windows (E)
 Internal doors should be free of holes, cracks and dents, well fitted with fully
operational handles (D)
 Glass in internal doors should be safety glass or covered in safety film (E)
 External doors will be properly secured and well-fitted with no significant
damage e.g. dents, holes. Doors should have a minimum of a 5 lever mortice
lock, with fully operational handles (D)
 Patio/sliding doors should be free running with fully operational locks and
catches (E)
Carpets and other floor coverings
 Kitchens and bathrooms should have vinyl or tiled flooring (E)
 Other rooms should be carpeted. Carpets must be in good condition and
properly fixed (E)
 Laminate flooring to be in good condition. (E)
Decoration
The property should be in good decorative order throughout, and should ideally be
decorated in light, neutral colours. The following specification is for guidance.
Wallpaper Clean, no rips or faded areas, unmarked.
Woodwork Clean, painted / stained, without significant marks / dents / severe
scratches.
Painted walls Free of holes / marks / dents / nails, (repairs need to be smooth
and blend in with the whole wall). Paint to be clean and unmarked, uniform colour.
If painted very dark, need to re-paint in pale colour.
Ceilings Painted white, clean, no holes or marks. Ceilings should not be covered
with polystyrene tiles.
Kitchens
Units
 There should be an adequate number of units and work surfaces.
All kitchens (space permitting) will have a minimum of the following units (E).
1 bedroom property
1 x double wall unit
1 x double sink unit
1 x double base unit
2 bedroom property
1 x double wall unit
1 x double sink unit
1 x double base unit
1 x single base unit
3 bedroom property
2 double wall unit
1 double sink unit
2 double base unit
1 single base unit
1 single wall unit
There will be 3 double electric sockets (E).
All kitchen unit doors must be present and without chips / holes /cuts.
Replacement doors are to match the existing. Carcasses should be sound, not
rotten (E).
Worktops
 Must have a smooth surface without cuts / chips and be able to keep clean and
hygienic. Worktops must be sealed against walls and units. Ends of worktops
should be properly finished (E).
Tiling and grouting
 There should be splashback tiling above worktops and sink (minimum 2
rows/300mm), in good clean condition with no cracks and with silicone seal
around the edges (E).
Washing machine plumbing and power supply
 This should be provided if it is not already present and if there is sufficient
space. Any remaining washing machine hoses should be removed, to prevent
any future leaks if they are re-used (E).
Cooker
 Either a gas or electric cooker should be provided. Cookers should be in good,
clean condition (E) complete with a copy of the instruction manual (D).
 Gas cookers must be fitted by a Gas Safe Register registered fitter and fitted
with a safety chain. Electric cookers must be safety checked by a qualified
electrician (E).
 There should be a splashback behind the cooker (E)
Built-in appliances (fridge, freezer, dishwasher etc.)
 Where present, these should be clean and in good working order (E). Owner to
be responsible for maintenance and repairs
Free-standing (non-fitted) appliances
 These should generally not be left in the property by the owner. Where they
are left the Society will not be responsible for maintenance or replacement
Taps
 Taps should be fully operational, easy to turn on and off, without dripping (E).
Flooring
 Hygienic and safe non-slip flooring throughout (E)
Ventilation
 Should be adequate to recycle moist air and avoid condensation damage –
opening windows and/or extract fan (E).
Bathrooms
Bath and washbasin, shower tray
 To have smooth surface, no major chips in enamel or severe discolouration (E)
 Clean seal around bath, shower tray (E)
 All sanitary ware will have working taps, plugs and chains (E).
Tiling and grouting
 There should be splashback tiling above bath and sink (minimum 2
rows/300mm), in good clean condition with no cracks and with silicone seal
between tiles and bath/sink (E)
 Where there is an over-bath shower, shower areas should be fully tiled (E)
 No painted tiles – or landlord to replace/maintain (E)
WC
 To be clean and without chips, cracks, severe discolouration or leaks (E)
 A clean and usable WC seat should be provided – no wooden seats (D)
 KSHS to renew at hand-back (standard seat only)
Ventilation
 Should be adequate to recycle moist air and avoid condensation damage.
Working extractor fan and/or opening window (E)
Flooring
 Hygienic and safe non-slip flooring should be provided and in good condition in
the bathroom and WC. No carpet or laminate flooring (E)
Taps
 Taps should be fully operational, not loose and easy to turn on and off, without
dripping (E).
Shower, shower rail
 Shower rail and new curtain (where shower provided) – tenant to replace when
needed (E)
 Shower screens/enclosures should be in good condition with no leaks (E)
 Electric showers should be included in electrical safety test, fully operational
(E), with a copy of the instruction manual (D)
Electrics
 Sealed light if required by electrical regulations (E)
 Electrical fittings (e.g. shaver socket, light over mirror etc.) must conform to
safety standards (E)
Heating
 Fixed heating must be provided – radiator or bathroom compliant fixed fan
heater – not infra-red or electric bar heater (E)
Fixtures
 Towel rail, toilet roll holder (E)
Electrics
 Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) to be done at owner’s expense at
procurement, and safety-related follow-up works done before letting. PIR
should be done just before we take the property on – historic reports are not
acceptable (E)
 PIRs to be renewed 5-yearly at the owner’s expense (E)
 Adequate sockets – kitchen minimum of 3 double sockets over worktops, plus
sockets for appliances. All other rooms except bathroom - minimum of 2
double sockets (E)
 Electric immersion heaters (where fitted) will be separately switched and
connected (E)
 All switches, sockets, fuse boxes and other electrical fittings will be free from
cracking, burn marks and properly secured (E)
 There will be at least 2 working smoke alarms in the property – 1 upstairs, 1
downstairs (1 in a bungalow or flat) (E)
Lighting
 There will be a minimum of 1 ceiling light fitting in each room (E).
 All staircases will have lighting, including communal areas for flats (E)
 Light fittings should preferably be plain pendant, 2 pin bayonet fitting (D). The
Society will not replace or reimburse owners for damage to nonstandard/decorative light fittings
TV Aerial
 To be digital-ready where provided (E)
 Maintenance of satellite dishes or cable by landlord
Loft insulation to current standards – 10” / 250mm (E)
Gardens
 Fences and gates to be in good condition. Gates should be capable of being
locked or fastened shut, particularly where the property is near a busy road (E)
 Paths, patios and other hard areas must be level and in good condition with no
serious trip hazards (E)
 Bins and recycling containers (as required by the local authority) to be provided
by landlord at procurement (E)
 Grass should not be overgrown and rubbish, rubble, glass etc. should be
cleared from the garden. Owners are responsible for the upkeep of any trees in
their garden and for maintenance of hedges higher than 5’/1.5m. (E)
 The owner should inform King Street about any tree preservation orders
affecting their garden.
 Sheds and other structures must be in good, safe condition (E)
 Ponds to be filled in (E)
External structure
 Gutters / downpipes to be safe and in good order without serious leaks (E)
 Inspection covers, gully and grid covers etc. to be present and in good condition
(E)