As your landlord we have insured only the structure of your home. We do not insure the contents - you are responsible for insuring all your personal possessions in your home (eg. carpets furniture, appliances and personal effects).

Do I need to take out an insurance policy?

We strongly advise you to take out a policy to insure the contents of your home. The Council is not liable if you lose or damage items due to fire, theft, flood or other accidents.

Make a list of the items in your home and their value - what would it cost if you had to replace some or all of them? Insurance costs are very small compared with the cost of replacing damaged or lost items.

Contact different reputable insurance companies - they will provide quotes and information free of charge so you can find the best policy for your home. Look around for a comprehensive household contents policy which includes 'tenant liability'. This will cover you if someone claims against you - for example if you left a tap running and flooded a neighbour's home.

How can I protect my home from fire and theft?

The Council as your landlord provides smoke alarms free of charge - the number we give depends on the type of property. If your property has not been supplied with a smoke alarm please contact the Housing Department on 01323 443322.

It is your responsibility to regularly check the smoke alarms to make sure the batteries are working properly.

For further information about fire safety contact your local fire station or the Community Fire Safety Coordinator on 0845 1308855.

Thieves can enter and leave your home in minutes - don't make theft easy for them. There are simple precautions you can take to reduce the risk. Information on crime prevention is available on the Home Office website or from the Sussex Police Crime Prevention Officer on 0845 6070999.

What happens if I have a dispute with my neighbour?

Everyone has the right to peace and quiet in their home. By signing your tenancy agreement you agree to ensure that no-one living in or visiting your household will cause nuisance, annoyance or harassment to your neighbours.

Consider how your lifestyle can impact on your neighbours - their lifestyle may be very different from your household's. You may not be aware of your neighbour's situation - for example some neighbours may have to work shifts.

Discuss the problem with your neighbour

If you have a problem with your neighbour start by talking it over - they may not know that they are bothering you and causing a problem.

Talking it over may solve the problem amicably - they may be willing to change or stop the behaviour that's annoying you. For example if noise is a problem you could agree together a time each evening when the noise will be stopped.

Mediation

If you are experiencing problems with neighbours which you have not been able to solve between you then mediation can sometimes help to sort out a solution.

The Wealden Independent Mediation Service provides trained, impartial volunteers who will work with all parties to find an acceptable solution. The service is free, confidential and independent. For further information on this service telephone 01323 442781.

When will the Housing Department get involved?

If the problem is severe and persistent.
If the complaint is reasonable and you have done everything you can to solve the problem.
If we can do something about the problem.

What action will we take?

We will try to solve the problem - although we cannot take sides. We will talk to you and your neighbour to try and find a solution to which you both agree.

If a solution cannot be agreed on and your neighbour continues to act unreasonably we will write to them warning that if the behaviour persists we may take legal action.

We will only take legal action if the problem is serious and cannot be resolved in any other way.

We will ask you to complete log sheets of the incidents and these will have to be completed for a considerable length of time to build up enough evidence to take legal action.

We may have to ask you to go to court to give evidence to support the legal action.

If the breach of tenancy conditions is serious and persistent we can apply to the court for an injunction or a Possession Order.

An injunction is a court order which orders your neighbour to stop the behaviour which is causing the problem. A Possession Order enables us to apply to have the tenant evicted. In both cases we will need evidence that the tenancy agreement has been broken.

I am experiencing harassment - what can I do?

Harassment is a deliberate behaviour (usually repeated) such as threat or actual violence, abusive words or behaviour, threats or actual damage to property. Racial or other harassment is a breach of the tenancy agreement and offenders can be evicted.

If you are being harassed contact your Housing Officer for help - keep a record of the incidents to provide evidence. If you or anyone in your household has been the victim or a witness to a racist incident there is help available from the racist incident caseworker for East Sussex based in Lewes - telephone the Sompriti organisation on 01273 474809. This organisation provides independent, confidential support and advice.

Domestic Violence - is help available?

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence there are a number of organisations that can offer help. If you need a place of safety you may be able to access a refuge via the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on freephone 0808 2000247.

Alternatively, if you require independent, impartial advice and/or support you may contact the Domestic Violence Outreach Service on 01323 511100. A team of Outreach workers will listen in confidence and offer support for any people experiencing domestic violence.

You may also receive advice from Step Forward on 0800 1696246 or from the Housing Advice Team on 01323 443322 for advice about your housing options.

Have consideration for your neighbours - keep noise to a reasonable level

Loud music and noise will disturb other tenants. Playing your music, radio or television loudly can affect your neighbours. Causing or allowing others to cause disturbance to neighbours is a breach of your tenancy agreement.

Please be considerate to your neighbours and keep the noise to a reasonable level. If you are planning a party let your neighbours know and talk it over.

Keeping communal areas tidy

Please keep these areas clean and tidy. Do not leave rubbish and equipment lying around. Leaving rubbish around will encourage vermin. Do not leave your belongings in communal arrears - items may be stolen.

Can I keep a pet?

Pets need to be properly looked after and kept under control. Your tenancy agreement sets out rules for pet ownership - your household is not permitted to keep a pet that causes nuisance or annoyance to anyone.

If you live in a flat or maisonette you must seek our permission before taking a pet in to your home.

Pets are only permitted in a limited number of sheltered housing schemes - please check the rules for your scheme with the manager before considering having a pet.

Where can I park my car?

Parking areas can only be used by cars or motorbikes which are taxed, insured and roadworthy.

Before parking any commercial vehicle, caravan, boat or trailer on land owned by the Council you must get our written permission first. In some areas we do have garages for rent - although we usually have waiting lists.

If you would like to apply for a garage telephone the Housing Department on 01323 443363 for an application form.

If you have to park on the street do be considerate. Badly parked cars can be dangerous, they can limit visibility and cause accidents. They can also block access for the emergency services - causing delays in dealing with urgent problems.

Car repairs should be restricted to minor repairs to your own vehicle only. When mending your car always be considerate to your neighbours.

Is it my responsibility to maintain the garden?

Keeping the garden tidy and free of rubbish is your responsibility. When planting new trees or shrubs it's important not to plant too closely to your home as the roots could cause damage to the structure.

Gardens cannot be used for storage unless you have our written consent.

Well kept gardens improve the environment for everyone. To encourage tenant gardeners throughout the District we run an annual garden competition with prizes for winners. Look out for the details in the spring issues of our tenants' magazine, Threshold.

If you find looking after the garden is getting too much due to illness or disability please contact us - we may be able to suggest sources of help or suggest more suitable housing options.

Can I add a shed or greenhouse to my garden?

Before installing a shed or greenhouse you need to obtain our written permission. Maintaining the shed or greenhouse will be your responsibility. If you move out you can be asked to remove the structure and make good the area.

How can I dispose of rubbish?

Rubbish is taken away by regular collections, it should be placed in the wheelie bin or containers supplied by ourselves. Only rubbish put in these containers will be taken away. Some areas of Wealden are on the CROWN recycling service.

Keep your garden and communal areas free of rubbish and discarded food - this will prevent vermin being attracted to the area.

Larger items including furniture and cookers can be disposed of by the Council for a charge. Contact us on 01892 602735.

There are recycling points around the district where you can dispose of bottles, tins, textiles and paper.

For further information see the Refuse Collection pages.

Can I run a business from my home?

If you want to run a business from home you will need to seek our written consent. You will also need to check whether planning permission is required and if you need to adjust your insurance cover.

Some business activities are allowed but businesses such as car repairs which affect your neighbours are not permitted.

Housing Services for People with Special Housing Requirements

The council aims to help elderly and disabled people to live independently by providing a range of services for existing tenants. When someone is experiencing difficulties managing in their existing home there are a range of options that can be considered.

Purpose Built Properties

The Council has properties that are adapted for disabled people or are specially provided with the needs of elderly people in mind. For example we have nomination agreements which give us access to specially designed and supported housing owned by the various Housing Associations within the Wealden District.

We also have 15 sheltered housing schemes for the elderly at various locations throughout the District.

Under Occupation

Where our tenants or members of their households have special accommodation requirements we are always happy to advise on the possibilities of transferring to more suitable accommodation.

In certain instances people going to smaller accommodation will be eligible for special incentive payments of up to £2500. This is because there is a severe shortage of accommodation for families with children and we are attempting to make the best of our existing resources by encouraging couples or single people who are living in family sized housing to move to a smaller property.

Additional Help and Support

If you are unable to manage because you require assistance with your independent living skills, we are able to assess your needs and refer your case to appropriate agencies.

Examples of assistance that you may be able to access include: personal care, housework, shopping, meals, general advice and assistance with form-filling.

Disabled Adaptations

Every year a limited amount of money is put aside from the Council's Housing Budget for the purpose of adapting individual Council properties to suit the requirements of disabled people.

Works may involve small scale adaptations such as the provision of rails and lever taps or more extensive and costly projects such as shower installations, ramp access or stairlifts. Many of our tenants are able to benefit from adaptations works each year, but in recent times the demand for adaptations has exceeded the annual budget available, therefore resulting in delays.

To request assistance and/or further information on any of the previous items please contact your area Housing Officer or the Special Needs Housing Officer on 01323 443322. We shall be able to discuss your difficulties and explore solutions to your problems.