Advice for tenants

ADVICE FOR TENANTS

DAMP AND CONDENSATION

Damp can be a problem in houses where there are many occupants and the property is not adequately ventilated.  You should ensure that any extractor fans are left connected and are properly used.  It is also important to open windows when necessary to encourage an adequate flow of fresh air through the property after bathing or showering in order to allow damp air a chance to escape.  The hanging of washing and wet clothes will also create large amounts of damp air and again, it will be important to provide adequate ventilation in such circumstances.

EMERGENCY & CONTACT NUMBERS - DO NOT CALL OUT  EMERGENCY PLUMBERS, they normally charge extortionate call-out charges. Tenants shall be liable to costs. Inform Woodlands Lettings immediately once the office opens.

Tenants are requested to bring any disrepair, damage or defect in the premises to the attention of the agent as soon as possible. Please call Woodlands Property Management on 01737 372799 between 09.00h – 17.00h Monday to Friday and Saturday 09.00h – 13.00h.

For burst pipes, water leaks etc inside the property turn off the stop cock. If the water is coming from another flat above, for example, it is the tenants responsibility to inform the occupiers’ of the effected property immediately and call Sutton & East Surrey Water PLC on 01737 772000.

MOVING IN

It is the tenant's responsibility to arrange services (normally Telephone, Gas, Electricity and Water).  You are advised to apply for connection to the respective suppliers at least THREE working days before moving in.  Applications for Electricity and Gas Supply need to be made directly to the preferred supplier. You are required to inform the landlord or agent of the respective suppliers as soon as possible.  In exceptional circumstances (e.g. tenant arriving from overseas) where this is not possible, we are able to arrange for services to be provided on a temporary basis, and a reasonable charge to cover administrative costs would be made for this service. 

You should also contact British Telecom (or any local telecoms operator if applicable) for connection of your telephone service by calling BT sales (by dialling 150).   The landlord cannot accept responsibility for any costs incurred with connection of supplies.

It is also the tenant’s legal responsibility to register for council tax.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council should be contacted on 01737 276779.

For areas South Nutfield and west of Redhill you may be covered by the Tandridge local authority can be contacted on 01883 722000.  Mole Valley, local authority can be contacted on 01306 885001

IF YOU SMELL GAS                                           0800 111 999

POWERCUT                                                         0800 783 8838

Sutton & East Surrey Water PLC                      01737 764444 (ACCOUNTS)                                                                                                                                                                                               01737 772000  (EMERGENCY)

British Gas                                                             0845 600 6229 ( MOVING HOME )

EDF Energy                                                           0800 096 9000

EON                                                                        0845 303 3020

N Power                                                                 0845 166 3166

Scottish Gas                                                          0845 270 7008       

Seeboard                                                               0800 783 88 66      

Southern Electric                                                  0800 117 116                         

If you are unsure of your gas supplier please contact Transco on 0870 6081524. For your electricity supplier call 0845 6015467.

You should check carefully the condition of the property and its contents when you move in.   The property should be in a clean condition, free from dust and damage, windows clean etc.  If you find anything that is not in good order, then we ask you to report it to us as soon as possible so that the problem can be put right or marked on the inventory.   The property is let as seen at the time of viewing; and requests for extra furniture, appliances or redecoration will not normally be considered after the start of the tenancy.

GAS APPLIANCES

Gas Safety regulations apply to both landlords and tenants in rented property.  In order to comply with the regulations, it is necessary:

-          that brown or sooty build-up on any gas appliance, or gas escape should be reported immediately to your letting agent AND Transco (under ‘Gas’ in your local telephone directory).  The number of the gas emergency service is 0800 111 999.

-          that ventilators installed in the premises for the correct operation of the gas appliance should not be blocked.

-          that safety checks be carried out every 12 months on any gas appliance in the property by   a registered Corgi engineer. Woodlands Lettings shall arrange this. Whilst the tenant is required to allow entry to the premises for this inspection, reasonable notice will be provided.  A copy of the gas safety record will be made available to tenants

It is advisable to provide a carbon monoxide detector for the property.  These are not expensive and can be purchased from most hardware stores.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

For safety reasons, tenants are requested to visually inspect all electrical appliances on a regular basis.  In use, cables and flexes can become frayed and casings broken.  You should contact the letting agent as soon as possible should any defect be discovered or repair becomes necessary.

Where electrical appliances are used outdoors (e.g. electrical lawnmowers etc.) they should only be used when connected to an RCD (Residual Current Device) protected mains supply.  RCD units are available from most hardware stores and should be checked before use.

The Tenant is responsible for keeping all electric lights in good working order and in particular to replace all fuses, bulbs, or fluorescent tubes, as and when necessary.  Any replaceable or disposable filters, vacuum bags, or other consumable items in appliances and fittings should be replaced at the end of the tenancy

FROST DAMAGE

Frost damage is a risk to all  houses left empty during the winter period (December to April) due to possible pipe bursts and flooding. You are required to act as a prudent householder and if you are away from the property for anything other than a short period, then we request that you carry out the following procedures:

- Turn off the mains water supply at the main stopcock and open loft access hatch (if provided).

AND       - Leave heating on (if necessary, turn down to a low setting)

Damage resulting from a failure to act in a prudent tenant-like manner could make you liable for  the costs of any repairs required.

MAINTENANCE AND APPLIANCES

Any maintenance problems should be reported immediately to the letting agent.  The landlord has a legal responsibility to maintain the fabric and services of the building (water supply, drains etc.).  As tenant(s) you are responsible for all appliances left in the property and in cases of genuine breakdown (physical breakage’s or damage due to neglect or misuse excluded) the landlord will meet 100% of repair cost (same exclusions apply).

You may find that smoke detectors and similar safety devices have been fitted in your property.  Where this is the case, please ensure that you check all such devices on moving into the property and familiarise yourself with their operation (most smoke detectors have a test button to check batteries and the unit are operating correctly) and report any problems to your agent.  Thereafter, you should check the devices at regular intervals and you will be responsible for replacement of any batteries that they may require.

TELEVISION LICENCE

Please obtain a television licence by phoning 0870241648 or visit their web site www.tvlicensing.co.uk