Tenants' handbook

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• Health and safety in your home

  Fire safety

  This factsheet explains what you should do to keep your home safe and prevent fires.

   Tenants' Handbook - Fire Safety (PDF 302KB)

  These sheets show the fire safety information we give to residents of our blocks of flats, supported housing schemes and temporary accommodation.

   Fire Safety Policy - Blocks of flats with lifts (PDF 145KB)
   Fire Safety Policy - Blocks of flats without lifts (PDF 145KB)
   Fire Safety Policy - Supported housing schemes (PDF 144KB)
   Fire Safety Policy - Temporary accommodation (PDF 141KB)

  Electrical safety

  This factsheet shows how you and the council can work together to make sure that your electrical appliances are safe to use.

   Tenants' Handbook - Electrical Safety (PDF 275KB)

  Asbestos in the home

  Many of our properties were built using materials that contain asbestos. This factsheet explains why most asbestos is not a cause for concern and tells you how to avoid possible danger to your own and your family’s health.

   Tenants' Handbook - Asbestos in the Home (PDF 313KB)

  Legionella

  This factsheet explains what we will do to keep your water supply safe.

   Tenants' Handbook - Legionella and Water Safety (PDF 276KB)

  Gas safety

  This factsheet shows how you and the council can work together to make sure that your gas appliances are safe to use.

   Tenants' Handbook - Gas Safety (PDF 327KB)

  Clear landings

  This factsheet provides information about our clear landings policy and safety in the communal areas (such as hallways or landings) of blocks of flats. It also tells you about what will happen if items are left in communal areas.

   Tenants' Handbook - Clear Landings (PDF 303KB)

  Lofts and roof spaces

  These factsheets tell you about whether you can store your belongings in the loft or roof space of your home. They also tell you about what we will do if we need to move your belongings to access the space.

   Tenants' Handbook - Lofts and roof spaces in blocks of flats (PDF 344KB)
   Tenants' Handbook - Lofts and roof spaces in houses (PDF 324KB)
• Living in your home

  Contents insurance

  We offer all our tenants the opportunity to take out home contents insurance with our own special scheme. The factsheet and prospectus below tell you more about this service.

   Tenants' Handbook - Contents Insurance (PDF 382KB)
   Home Contents Insurance Prospectus (PDF 321KB)
  

  Pets

  This factsheet contains information about keeping a pet in your council home.

   Tenants' Handbook - Pets (PDF 402KB)
  

  Anti-social behaviour

  This factsheet contains information about anti-social behaviour, how to report it and how we will help.

   Tenants' Handbook - Anti-Social Behaviour (PDF 325KB)
• Moving home

  Bedroom standards

  This factsheet explains the Dacorum Bedroom Standard and the Government Bedroom Standard. It tells you what size property you are eligible for based on your household make-up.

   Tenants' Handbook - Bedroom standards (PDF 278KB)

  Changing or ending your tenancy

  If you need to make any changes to your tenancy or end it, then please visit our Changing or ending a tenancy page, which includes information on what to do when a tenant dies.

  Empty homes

  This is a guide to the standard of safety, comfort and cleanliness you can expect from your new council home.

   Tenants' Handbook - Letting Empty Homes (PDF 457KB)

  Leaving your home

  This leaflet contains all the information you need when you are leaving your home.

   Tenants' Handbook - Leaving your home (PDF 640KB)
• Paying for your home

  Rent

  The factsheet below is a guide to paying your council rent.

   Tenants Handbook - Rent (PDF 146KB)
  

  Recharges

  This factsheet contains information about recharges and rechargeable repairs.

   Tenants' Handbook - Recharges (326KB)

  If you would like to pay your recharge by standing order, please print this form and take it to your bank.

   Standing Order request form (PDF 163KB)
• Paying for your water

  In April 2018, we stopped charging our tenants for water and wastewater services. Instead, the water companies now send you a separate bill and it will be your responsibility to pay them directly.

  This factsheet tells you more information about paying for your water.
   Tenants' Handbook - Paying for your water (PDF 422KB)

• Repairs and maintenance

  Repairs

  Keeping your home a safe and enjoyable place to live is important to us.

  This guide sets out the service you can expect to receive from Osborne Property Services and Sun Realm, our repairs and maintenance partners. It also tells you how we can support you with repairs that are your responsibility.

   Tenants' Handbook - Repairs (PDF 322KB)

  Fencing

  This factsheet explains which fences are your responsibility and when we will build a new fence or wall.

   Tenants' Handbook - Fencing (PDF 307KB)

  Condensation, damp and mould

  Most damp, mould or mildew in the home is caused by factors such as the temperature of your home or poor ventilation. We have produced a guide, which offers advice on how to prevent condensation. You can download our leaflet:  Tenants' Handbook - Condensation (PDF 621KB). If you think that damp problems are caused by a structural defect, then you should report it as a repair.

  Alterations and improvements to your home

  Council tenants must ask us for permission to make alterations or improvements to your home. You can find out more on our Home improvement page.

• Your tenancy

  Types of tenancy

  As a tenant you will have one of the following types of tenancy:

  • Introductory tenancy (usually for the first 12 months from the date that you start your first tenancy with us). Upon successful completion of your Introductory tenancy you will automatically be issued with a five-year Flexible tenancy.
  • Flexible tenancy (usually tenants whose first tenancy with us started on or after 1 April 2013 and who have successfully completed an Introductory tenancy).
  • Secure tenancy or ‘Lifetime tenancy’ (all tenants of supported housing, and usually all other tenants whose first tenancy with us started on or before 31 March 2013).
  • Joint tenancy
  • Demoted tenancy
    

  Changing or ending your tenancy

  If you need to make any changes to your tenancy or end it, then please visit our Changing or ending a tenancy page, which includes information on what to do when a tenant dies.

  Leaving your home

  This leaflet contains all the information you need when you are leaving your home.

   Tenants' Handbook - Leaving your home (PDF 640KB)