Our new home promise

Gardens

All gardens will be cut back and any rubbish removed. Sheds, greenhouses and other similar structures will be removed unless they are in good condition. If there is a brick built outhouse which is structurally sound this will be left for you to use as a storage area. Some gardens may have a concrete base which can be used to erect your own shed onto.

Cleaning

We will clean your home before you move in. This will include all hard surfaces and sweeping and mopping floors. We will also place air fresheners in your home.

Exterior painting

SLH will paint or stain any previously decorated surfaces to the exterior of your home (excluding fencing and gates) on a seven year cycle. You will be informed when your home is due for external painting when you sign-up for your home.

External doors

All external doors and frames will be free from any damage that would affect the door opening and closing with ease. Each external door will have a lock change before you move in.

Windows and glazing

All glazing will be intact and all windows that are designed to open will have been lubricated and will be easy to operate. A minimum of 3 window lock keys will be provided and these will operate all the windows.

Paving

All paving within the boundaries of your home will be safe and free of tripping hazards. Paving that has not been carried out by SLH and is in poor condition will be removed and the ground topsoiled and finished with turf or seed before you move in. Unapproved driveways may be removed.

Welcome pack

When you move in, you will find a welcome pack in the kitchen.

Decoration

You are responsible for decorating the inside of your home including filling small holes and cracks with decorator’s filler. If we determine that the interior decoration is in poor condition we will give you an allowance which will be issued to you in the form of a decoration voucher. Please note that any decoration allowance is to help towards the cost of your materials but may not cover all your costs.

Bathrooms and toilets

All bathroom and toilet fittings will be clean and in good working order. We will also install new toilet seats. The tiles around your bath and basin will be clean and in good condition.

Kitchens

Kitchen units, worktops, wall tiling and sinks will be clean and in good working order. We will attempt to provide both gas and electric cooker points but this may not always be possible. Plumbing in washing machines and other appliances is your responsibility. It is also your responsibility to arrange
the connection of your gas cooker by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Water supplies

All accessible pipe work and wastes will be checked to ensure they are working correctly and are free from leaks and other defects. We will install a Surestop water switch in your home for quick and easy shutting off of the water supply in the event of a flood or burst pipe.

Floors

All floors and fixed floor coverings will be in a fair and safe condition. Some floorboards may have developed slight movement or minor cracking but they will be free of major faults. It is your responsibility to check that your chosen floor coverings and underlay are suitable for the type of floors they are being laid onto. If your floor coverings need to be moved to allow for maintenance and repair of your home, then it is your responsibility to have these taken up and re-fitted.

Gas and heating

The gas supply will be capped off when you move in. We will carry out a full gas safety check to ensure that the heating system is in good working order once you tell us the supply is on. The engineer will also show you how to use the heating controls.

Electrics

All electrics including smoke alarms in your home will be safety checked and a copy of the testing certificate will be provided to you. Any electric appliances we provide in your home will also be checked.

Energy efficiency

Improvements have been made to our homes which will help reduce running costs. These include:

• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Lagging to pipes and tanks
• Double Glazing
• Energy efficient boilers
• Full range of heating controls

You will receive a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate which tells you the annual average expected energy running costs and the carbon output.

Home contents insurance

South Liverpool Homes do not insure your furniture, belongings or decorations. You need to take out your own insurance to protect your belongings in the event of a fire, flood, theft and vandalism. We have set up a low cost scheme which has been developed in partnership with Royal Sun Alliance. Find out more here.