Shepherds Bush Housing Group
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Empty Properties Standard

Shepherds Bush Housing Association (SBHA) is committed to providing good quality homes and associated services. This guide has been produced to identify the standard our empty properties will comply with before they are re-let, as well as to help ensure incoming tenants know what they can expect to find when they move in.

The guide is divided into two parts, the first being a brief summary of the lettable standard. The second part, 'The lettable standard explained', clarifies the detail of what is to be provided and to what extent.

The lettable standard:
A property will be considered appropriate for re-letting provided that it:

  • is clean
  • is secure
  • is in a reasonable state of general repair and decoration
  • is wind and weather tight and adequately insulated
  • is not infested with pests
  • has a cold water supply
  • has a working hot water system
  • has a working form of heating
  • has a safe and operational electrical system
  • has a useable kitchen with a sink
  • has a useable w.c.
  • has a useable bathroom with a wash basin and bath or shower.

The lettable standard explained:
The following provides a detailed explanation of the lettable standard:

General condition:
The interior of the property will be clean, safe, secure and in an overall state of good repair with full working utilities.

Decorations:

  • all paintwork (e.g. walls, ceilings, doors and woodwork) will be in a clean and presentable condition, which means free from grime, dirt, grease and tobacco stains
  • kitchens and bathrooms will be decorated, using two coats of emulsion to ceilings and walls
  • decoration vouchers will be issued to tenants to enable them to redecorate the remainder of the property. The value of the vouchers will depend on the property size
  • general cracks (over 5mm wide), large holes or damage caused by the removal of fixtures and fittings will be filled
  • where walls or ceilings are wallpapered, the paper should be in a reasonable condition
  • polystyrene tiles will be removed from all ceilings and, where necessary, ceilings made good
  • sheltered units will be completely redecorated prior to re-letting
  • flats identified for vulnerable tenants will be fully redecorated.

Sanitary ware:

  • all sanitary ware will be clean, free from grime and stains, in an acceptable state of repair, with no cracks and in good working order
  • toilets will be cleaned, disinfected and, if necessary, fitted with a new seat
  • toilet cisterns will be checked to ensure effective operation
  • baths and wash basins will both have a plug and chain
  • all taps will be clean, in good working order and free from leaks
  • baths and washbasins will have tiled surrounds and splashbacks
  • sealant around baths and basins should be properly intact and free from grime

Cooking Facilities:

  • the kitchen will have adequate facilities, work surfaces and storage for the safe preparation of food
  • the kitchen sink will be clean and free from grime
  • taps must be clean, free from leaks and in good working order
  • units and worktops will be clear of food deposits, grime and grease
  • unit doors and drawers will be in good working order
  • where new taps are required in sheltered accommodation, lever taps should be fitted
  • ideally consist of a minimum of:
  • a stainless steel/vitreous enamel sink and drainer, complete with a 1000mm base unit
  • one 500mm floor unit with worktop
  • one 1000mm or two 500mm wall units, or one 500mm where there is a larder facility
  • a gas or electric cooker point
  • a tiled splash-back behind the sink
  • space for a fridge and washing machine
  • plumbing for a washing machine.

Doors, door furniture and windows:

  • bathroom and toilet doors will be lockable
  • doors and door frames will be in good repair and decorative order
  • door furniture (knobs, handles, latches, locks) will be operational and in a good state of repair
  • doors will be able to open and shut freely and without obstruction
  • windows will be able to open, shut and secure properly
  • all external doors will be fitted with Best Locks
  • keys to be provided for all window locks.

Electrical switches, sockets and lighting:

  • the property will have artificial electric lighting, which is most suitable for that particular property
  • all switches, sockets and light pendants will be safe, in good working order, clean and free from dirt, grime and paint splashes
  • bathrooms will have enclosed ceiling light fittings
  • an electrical safety check conforming to national safety standards (NICEIC) will have been carried out and a domestic safety installation certificate issued
  • mains wired smoke alarms will be installed (one in the hall and where appropriate one on the landing)
  • extractor fans will be fitted in kitchens and bathrooms wherever possible. The fans will be clean and in good working order.

Gas services:

  • where installed, all gas services will be safe and in good working order
  • installations will have been checked by a Corgi registered engineer, with a current landlord's safety certificate (CP12) issued before the new tenant moves in
  • all gas appliances will have been serviced within the past 12 months.

Meters:

  • it is the incoming tenant's responsibility to take all meter readings when they move in and to inform the relevant utility companies accordingly.

Plumbing:

  • all plumbing will be safe and securely clipped
  • all pipes and water installations will be checked for obvious leaks
  • There will be no visible lead pipe-work within the property
  • the mains stopcock should be accessible and in proper working order
  • the hot water cylinder will be either pre-lagged or have a securely fixed lagging jacket
  • the main water tank, central heating feed and expansion tank (where installed) will be properly lagged
  • the waste pipe from the kitchen sink and any washing machine outlet will be checked and if necessary flushed with an appropriate solution to ensure it is free from grease and other items that may cause obstruction to the flow of waste water.

Flooring:

  • bathrooms and kitchens will have a vinyl tile or similar washable floor covering
  • all floors will be clean and free from dirt, grease and plaster
  • where foam backed carpets have been removed, any rubber backing and dust will be removed from the surface
  • timber floorboards will be even and firmly fixed, with no broken or squeaky boards and no nail heads proud of the surface
  • chipboard floors will be firmly fixed and level at the joints
  • solid floors will be reasonably level with no excessive cracking
  • where there are vinyl tiles or similar coverings, these will be level and firmly adhered to the floor.

Tiling:

  • ceramic wall tiles should be clean and free from grease and grime. Broken or missing tiles will be replaced along with any re-grouting that may be required.

Space heating:

  • all properties will, ideally, be provided with a full gas central heating system
  • where this is not possible, heating will be provided by electrical storage heaters
  • all heating systems will have fully operational thermostatic control
  • all radiators will be clean, free from obvious leaks and in good working order
  • all heating systems will have full operational manuals provided.

Insulation:

  • all houses, bungalows and top floor flats will be fitted with a minimum of 200mm loft insulation
  • appropriate draught proofing will be fitted to all doors and windows where necessary.

Security:

  • all external doors and frames will be in good repair. External doors will have new locks fitted, with 2 keys for each door being issued to the incoming tenant
  • all windows will have working fasteners, with restrictors being fitted on first floor windows and above
  • all glazing will be in good condition with no broken or cracked panes
  • internal doors will be fitted with safety glass (where the glazing is below 1 metre high)
  • all basement and ground floor windows will be lockable.

Lofts and external building condition:

  • roof spaces will be clear and adequately insulated

  • roofs, door and windowsills, brickwork and pipe-work will be in good repair
  • guttering will be intact and free from obstruction
  • drain covers will be in good condition and properly fitted
  • walls and brickwork will be free of graffiti or spray paint.

Sheds, outhouses, garages and gardens:

  • all temporary structures (e.g. lean-to's or sheds) will be removed, unless in a good condition. (In which case it will be the incoming tenant's responsibility to maintain and they will be asked to sign to this effect at the sign up)
  • all sheds or external buildings will be clean and free of rubbish
  • gardens will be free from rubbish
  • all gates will be in good working order
  • boundary fences and hedges will be clearly defined and in reasonable condition
  • paths will be clear and free of any dangerous cracks or slime patches.

Handover Package
All new tenants will be given a handover pack, which contains:

  • boiler and central heating operating manuals
  • decoration vouchers
  • tenants handbook
  • essential information on the property
  • gas and electrical safety certificates
  • keys for external doors and windows
  • empty properties standard.

STANDARD MEASURE
1. General
1.1 All void units to comply with the decent homes standards.
1.2 All completed void units to have a minimum NHER level of 6.0.
a) All properties to have at least a 6 year life for all key components.
b) All void units, where the works cost exceeds £5000, to be placed in the planned maintenance programme.
c) All top floor flats or houses to be fitted with a minimum 200mm of loft insulation.
d) All properties to have a form of central heating.
e) Draught proofing to be fitted, where necessary, to all external doors and windows.
2. Services
2.1 The supply of gas, electricity and water, together with the drainage system, must be safe and in working order.
2.2 The water stopcock must be fully functional and all plumbing checked and capped off.
2.3 All dwellings must have a hard wired smoke alarm
a) All gas appliances, fitted by the Association, and pipework must be inspected by a Corgi registered engineer and a safety check carried out. Providing that the check is passed a CP12 must be issued before the property can be let
b) All electrical wiring and appliances, fitted by the Association, must be inspected by a NICEE registered engineer and a safety check carried out. Providing that the check is passed, an electrical certificate must be issued before the property can be let
c) All priority one items identified on the electrical certificate should be automatically carried out as part of the void works
d) Ensure that all pipework is free from leaks
e) Drain down the water supply between 1st October and 31st March in void properties. Refill the system on letting
f) Test the stopcock to ensure that it works
g) If the water supply is turned on, run the cold water taps in the kitchen and bathroom and flush the WC
h) Cap off tails to washing machine water supply
i) Supply and fit a hard-wired smoke alarm on a ceiling in the hallway/landing. Where the property exceeds a single storey then fit an alarm on each floor
3. Heating and Hot Water
3.1 The dwelling should have a central heating system
3.2 The heating system should have been serviced within the last 12 months.
3.3 There should be at least one source of hot water in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.
3.4 All hot water cylinders should be insulated.
a) The heat source should be either one of the following:
i. Gas fired central heating system
ii. Storage heaters
b) Remove and cart away gas fires from bedrooms and lounge, cap off supply and brick up opening
c) Remove and cart away electric bar heaters in bathroom/toilet and cap off supply
d) Carry out service to gas appliances, if last serviced over 12 months ago
4. Lights, switches and electrical sockets
4.1 The dwelling should have artificial lighting that ensures a safe environment
4.2 There should be sufficient sockets in the dwelling
a) Each room in the property should have a ceiling light.
b) Each dwelling should have an electrical socket in each habitable room.
c) The kitchen should have a fluorescent ceiling light.
d) The bathroom should have an enclosed ceiling light fitting.
5. Cooking Facilities
5.1 The kitchen should have adequate facilities, work-surfaces and storage for the safe preparation of food
5.2 The kitchen units should be serviceable
5.3 There must be a cooker supply
5.4 There should be a space for a cooker, fridge and washing machine
a) Facilities means adequate hot and cold water supply and drainage
b) The minimum units in a kitchen should be:
i. Double sink unit
ii. Double base unit with worktop
iii. Double wall unit
iv. Adequate food preparation surface
c) Cooker point should be electric Point or gas bayonet fitting and Cap.
6. Plumbing and Sanitary Fittings
6.1 Each dwelling shall have an integral WC, in working order with a serviceable seat
6.2 The WC should be in the bathroom or adjacent to it. If not it should have it's own wash hand basin
6.3 Wash hand basins, sinks and baths should have a hot and cold water supply and be free from chips, cracks, staining and limescale. They should be drained to the main system, supplied with plugs and chains and adequately fixed to the structure.
6.4 Walls to be suitably tiled to
protect them from splashes from wash hand basin, sinks and baths.
6.5 A hot and cold water supply and drainage outlet for a washing machine should be supplied in all kitchens
a) De-stain fittings rather than replacing
b) Retain showers above the bath, if in good condition, otherwise remove
c) Where a shower is retained, ensure that affected walls are tiled up to ceiling height.
d) Ensure grout and mastic to existing tiling is in good condition
e) Ensure that at least two rows of white ceramic splashback tiles are provided to sinks, wash hand basins and baths
7 Ventilation
7.1 The property should be able to be ventilated
7.2 The kitchen and bathroom should be well ventilated
a) Ventilation to habitable rooms can be achieved by:
i. Trickle ventilation through airbricks or window vents or/and
ii. Openable windows
b) Ventilation to kitchens and bathrooms should be achieved by an extractor fan
8 Floors
8.1 Floors should be even and suitable for floor coverings
8.2 Non-slip sheet vinyl flooring should be provided to kitchens and bathrooms
a) Uneven floors may need to be hardboarded to provide a level surface
b) Vinyl tiles or quarry tiles are acceptable in lieu of sheet vinyl flooring in bathroom and kitchens
9 Joinery
9.1 All architraves, cills and skirtings should be in place
9.2 No open staircases permitted. Ensure that handrails and balustrading is secure and that there are no loose treads
9.3 External doors to be sturdy and fitted with Best locks
9.4 Internal doors to be in good repair with serviceable door furniture
9.5 Bathroom and toilet doors to be lockable. New locks to have an external and internal release mechanism
9.6 All windows to have secure fastenings, be in working order and easily openable
9.7 All broken/cracked glazing to be renewed
a) Change existing mortice lock to external doors for new Best lock
b) Disable all other locks, so that only Best locks fitted
c) Leave in place any existing bolts, chains or spyholes
d) Ensure that glazing to internal doors and below 1.2m high is safety glass
e) Remove window locks and cart away, where no keys provided, above first floor level.
f) Renew lockable window handles, where keys missing and no replacements can be obtained, at ground and first floor level
g) Ensure that first floor windows and above have restricters on windows to protect children or other vulnerable occupants from falling
h) Remove security grilles fitted by tenants, unless grilles are openable and keys are provided
i) Provide window locks to all basement and ground floor windows.
10 Decorative Order
10.1 General needs properties must be let ready for decoration. The kitchen and bathroom should be decorated and a decoration voucher given to the incoming tenants
10.2 Where the property contains a difficult to decorate room, such as a hallway or high ceilinged room, this room may be substituted for the kitchen or bathroom
10.3 All the rooms in a sheltered scheme void unit and vulnerable tenants general needs property should be decorated
Ready for decoration means:
a) Ensure walls and ceilings are in a suitable condition to paint or paper
b) Hack out and replaster any areas of blown plaster
c) Apply two coats of white matt emulsion to kitchen and bathroom ceilings
d) Apply two coats of white silk emulsion to kitchen and bathroom walls
11 Rubbish
11.1 The property should be cleared of all rubbish.
a) Clear all rubbish from the property, including carpets (except in sheltered scheme)
b) If rubbish is furniture or materials in good condition, ensure that the outgoing tenant's permission is obtained before clearing the property.
c) Remove all rubbish/debris from the garden.
12. Cleanliness
12.1 Dwellings must be let in a substantially clean Condition.
Substantially clean condition means:
a) Sweep all floors
b) Wash down all sanitary fittings, including acid clean to WC if required
c) Wash down surfaces affected by mould with a proprietary solution
d) Clean all windows
13 Externals
13.1 The garden should be in a condition maintainable by the tenant
13.2 Pathways and steps must provide a safe means of exit
13.3 Roof covering to the property to be adequate
13.4 Rainwater disposal system to be adequate
13.5 Boundary fencing/wall to be in reasonable condition
a) Ensure grass is able to be cut with a domestic lawn mower or shears
b) Prune all trees and bushes
c) Remove rubbish/debris from the garden
d) Sheds or outhouses to be removed unless in reusable condition. Responsibility for the upkeep of these buildings rests with the tenants