Moving in to your new home

The Lettable Standard

Before you move into your new home we will ensure the property is safe, clean and in a reasonable state of repair, this is called the Lettable Standard. This means we will:

• Clean the property to a high standard;
• Make sure that gas and electrical appliances have had a safety check;
• Make sure that all water and heating systems are working (for gas appliances, a gas recommission appointment will be required from the gas contractor); and
• Issue new tenants with a gas safety certificate and NICEIC electrical inspection certificate.

Checklist

• Choose gas, electric, water and telephone companies and set up these services. You are responsible for paying the charges for these services. Some suppliers include:

	British Gas 0845 0777 111
	EDF Energy 0845 234 0040
	Thames Water 0845 9200 888
	Scottish Power 0845 7292 292

• Contact the telephone company you would like to use. If you had a telephone at your previous address, you may be able to take that telephone number with you. If there is a telephone line in your new home, you may only have to pay a reconnection fee.
• Read our tips for being energy efficient online.
• Tell people of your new address: Your employer, Lewisham Council, your bank, the Department for Work and Pensions, your utility suppliers. For a charge, the Post Office can redirect mail from your previous address.
• Organise contents insurance. It is important that you take out contents insurance against flood, fire and burglary. Lewisham Council have an arrangement with Norwich Union. For an application form, contact us.

Keys to your new home

We will give you two keys for each lock and two fobs (where applicable) for your new home. You will have to pay for any extra keys or additional fobs.

Going away

If you are going to be away from your home for more than 28 days you will need to inform us. If you do not, we will assume you have abandoned the property and steps may be taken to regain possession and re-let the premises.

Keeping pets

You, or any person living in your home, may keep domestic animals. You must not allow your pets to cause a nuisance to others. This applies within your property and in all communal areas. Permission to keep a pet will be withdrawn if it causes a nuisance or health hazard. If we withdraw permission, you must remove the animal from your home.