Housing Service Standards for home Visits
Purpose of These Standards
These standards are to communicate access requirements to homes with timescales to help us maintain safe homes and communities, whilst respecting your right to privacy.
WDC has a duty to maintain safe homes, perform statutory checks, conduct scheduled visits. We will aim to provide reasonable notice, coordinates appointments that fit in with your schedule where possible. We will only enter your home without notice in an emergency.
Access may be required for welfare checks, tenancy audits, safety checks, breach investigations, fraud investigations, repairs, and inspection when notice is given that you are ending your tenancy.
Tenancy Audit Visits (TAVs)
TAVs verify occupancy, support needs, and property condition. A minimum of 48 hours’ notice will be provide unless mutually agreed otherwise.
Welfare Checks
Welfare checks may be conducted where concerns arise about a tenant’s wellbeing or lack of engagement. Notice will be given wherever possible; however, if there are serious concerns about safety, officers may attend without notice.
Suspected Fraud Investigations
Visits relating to suspected tenancy fraud may be unannounced where necessary to verify occupancy or investigate discrepancies. Officers will act lawfully, respectfully, and proportionately.
Repairs and Contractor Access
Emergency repairs attended within 2 hours, urgent repairs within 24 hours, routine repairs within 28 days. Contractors arrange appointments directly and do not cold call unless unavoidable.
Tenant Responsibilities
Tenants must provide access, maintain up‑to‑date contact details, offer alternative contacts where possible, and adhere to tenancy conditions.
24–48 hours ‘notice provided for most visits. TAVs require 48 hours. Welfare and fraud visits may be unannounced if risk or investigation necessity requires it.
Where tenants have not responded to repeated contact attempts and arrears continue, officers may visit without notice, respecting privacy, and rights.