Sheltered Housing Void Standard

The Housing Service has a Voids Standard which we adhere to. This is a standard for the re-letting of our empty properties. 

Listed below are details of the void standard for our sheltered dwellings.

1. Tenants Improvements:

  • Kitchen units additional: If any improvements have be carried out and been removed, the outgoing tenant will be responsible for any making good. This will include the decorations and finishes.
  • If poor standard of works have been carried out by the outgoing tenant and have been left, the works will be removed and then the outgoing tenant will be recharged, this will include the decorations and finishes.

2. Kitchens

All properties are checked against the current programme works.

Where full replacement is required these will be completed as part of the programme.

Items to be checked:

  • All doors, drawers, cupboards and work tops to be clean and serviceable
  • All doors and drawers to open and close securely.
  • All sinks to have minimum 150mm high ceramic tile splash back with silicone sealant abutment.
  • All sinks to be clean with plugs attached.
  • All wastes and pipe work to be adequately clipped and free from leaks.

3. Bathrooms

All properties are checked against the current programme works.

Where full replacement is required these will be completed as part of the programme.

Items to be checked:

  • All fittings to be clean and free from stains, chips and cracks.
  • Plug and chains to be attached to fitting.
  • Light fitting to be steam proof light.
  • WC seats to be renewed.
  • All wastes and pipe work to be adequately clipped and free from leaks.
  • Bath and basin to have minimum 150mm high ceramic tile splash back with silicone sealent abutment.

4. Doors

  • All doors and frames to be securely fixed.
  • All door furniture to be fully functional.
  • All doors to open and close correctly.
  • All fire doors to have self closing devices fitted, with correct size door stops and intumescent strips.
  • All fully glazed doors to have safety glass where applicable.
  • Front doors to be numbered correctly.

5. Windows

All properties to be checked against the current window programme.

  • All timber windows to be free from rot adequately fixed and secure.
  • All windows to open and close correctly.
  • All glazing to be free from cracks and to be secured.
  • All low level glass to be made safe (Laminated or Georgian wired glass).
  • All window furniture to be fully functional and secure.

6. Walls and Ceilings

  • Any loose or crumbling plaster or damage plasterboard to be renewed.
  • Remove any polystyrene ties or coving to walls and ceilings.
  • Any large areas of artex ceiling to be overboard with plasterboard and plaster ceiling.
  • Any window that does not have any timber support for a curtain rail, timber support batten will be provided.
  • If decoration is in poor condition or badly stained, then individual walls or rooms will be decorated. Where possible the in going tenant will be given the chose of vouchers or WDC carrying out the decoration works.

7. Floors and Stairs

  • If the kitchen floor does not have any flooring then vinyl floor tiles will be provide.
  • Any uneven floors to be made good.
  • Any floors with hardboard covering to be adequately secured.
  • The outgoing tenant will be responsible for the removal of existing floor coverings/ carpets.
  • If carpets grippers removed to perimeter of room and only partial tiles damaged, renew with contrasting colour if matching tile.
  • Previous tenants carpets or carpets grippers to only be left if in good condition. (Scheme Manager or Void Surveyor recommendation only).

8. Services

  • All properties to have NICEIC certificate.
  • All tenants DIY works to electrical system to be removed. Outgoing tenant to be re-charged for any remedial works.
  • Cooker hoods to be removed.
  • All meters to be read on a void inspection and cleared of debt.
  • All stop taps to be checked to ensure they are serviceable and accessible.

9. Electrical

Full electrical test of the property is to be undertaken in accordance with the 17th Edition (BS 7671). An NICEIC inspection certificate is to be sent to the Client Representative within five working days of inspection

10. General

  • All rubbish is to be removed.
  • All roof void to be cleared.
  • All windows and frames (internal) to be washed and cleaned.
  • All kitchen work tops to be cleaned using suitable cleaning solution mixed with hot water.
  • All kitchen units to be cleaned using suitable cleaning solution mixed with hot water.
  • All woodwork and joinery to be wash and cleaned.
  • All floors to be washed and mopped and clean.
  • All carpets left by agreement are steam by WDC cleaned ready for the incoming tenants.
  • All sanitary items i.e. bath, wc, cistern and sinks to be cleaned using suitable cleaning solution mixed with hot water.
  • All electrical sockets and switches to be cleaned with the appropriate cleaner to remove grease and paint deposits.
  • Solid air fresheners (3No) to be left in each property.

11. Additional Works

Any immediate works relating to safety and potential leaks to the fabric of the building are to be carried out while at void stage. Other items identified to be passed to Repairs Department for orders to be raised.

Any improvement works that are scheduled, the incoming tenant is to be advised of this and of any works from the Repairs Department arising from the void inspection (VO3).