Moving Home
Moving Out Standard
If you are moving out of your current Council home the following
guidance is important to you.
The aim of the Inspection
Once you have moved out we will inspect the property to ensure
that your property is in a suitable condition to be let to the next
tenant.
Should we need to undertake work that has arisen because the
property has not been looked after properly or, has not been left
empty when you vacated, we will recover those costs from you.
The property should be clean, and in good decorative order
throughout, the walls in each room should be of a uniform colour
and ceilings white throughout. All fixed items ie: cupboards,
bathroom and kitchen fittings in good working order. All internal
and external windows and doors should be serviceable with no
defects and all handles, catches and locks working properly. UPVC
window frames are not to be painted, All locks should have keys and
if the property has a door entry system then a minimum of 2 Key
Fobs are required.
You will be charged for all work we undertake to make sure your
property passes our inspection.
What Our Inspector is Looking For?
Walls and Ceilings
All painted surfaces should be evenly painted, free from marks
from crayons, pens etc. Where wallpapered, the wallpaper should be
firmly fixed to the wall with patterns matching. There should be no
tears to the wallpaper, posters must have been carefully removed.
Ceilings should be sound and free of defects / staining, and evenly
painted in white emulsion paint. Staining can be caused by cooking,
smoking, mould water leakage etc.
Woodwork and Radiators
Skirting boards and architrave should be painted with gloss
paint of the same colour. However, should you have a natural wood
finish please ensure this is throughout the room or you will be
requested to repaint the woodwork.
Doors (except veneered doors) should be painted with gloss paint.
The door should be defect free, with no holes or visible signs of
repairs to holes. All handles, locks, hinges and door closers must
be firmly secured to the door and functional. Doors should open and
close easily. Any doors that have been removed must be put
back.
Radiators should be clean and if painted it must only be white
radiator paint that has been used.
Electrical Fittings
Wall mounted power sockets, extractor fans and light fittings
should be defect free and firmly fitted. Any paint should also have
been removed with the fittings in their original condition. Light
pendants should be soundly fixed to the ceiling complete with lamp
holders. Non Council Light fittings, spot lights in kitchens
are the most common, providing they conform to B.S.7671:2008 ( 17th
edition I.E.E. Wiring Regulations incorporating the latest
amendments ) may remain, However light fittings that
have been recessed in the ceiling must be removed and the ceiling
re-instated.
Kitchen: Sink, Base and Wall Units
Kitchen units should be firmly fixed, units doors should be
hanging properly with all hinges and catches working
correctly. Worktops should be securely fixed, and be free of
burns. Kitchen sink pipe work should be free from leaks, with plug
and chain fitted. Wall tiles should be soundly fixed to the
wall and without defect. All units should be in their original
condition / colour and should not have been painted.
Bathroom and Toilet:
The bath, wash hand basins, toilet and cistern must all be
firmly fixed. There should be no cracks or chips to any of
the sanitary fittings. There should be no leaks from any of
the fittings or pipes and all plugs and chains fitted. The
bath should have bath panels fitted. The toilet seat and lid should
be clean and fixed correctly. Tiles should be firmly fixed
and without defects.
Gardens. Front & Rear
The garden should be tidy and free from rubbish, sheds and green
houses must be removed if in poor condition. If the garden contains
trees, shrubs or hedging they must be manageable and at a
reasonable height or they must be removed. All boundary fencing and
gates are to be in good condition, Fish ponds need to be filled in
level with the surrounding ground.
If you would like further guidance or your Area Manager to visit
you to discuss / help identify any work that maybe required, then
please contact us. Telephone 01233 330688 or email housing@ashford.gov.uk
This webpage was updated on
11/23/2010