We know this year has been tough for landlords and we want to thank you for all your work to maintain good property standards and provide safe homes for citizens.
As you may be aware, term ends for Nottingham University and Trent University Students these next two weeks. We are working with both University’s to educate and advise students on waste management, including how to make sure extra waste is either recycled or disposed of responsibly.
We are seeing increased problems with waste disposal and fly-tipping in some areas, with Forest Fields, Arboretum, Lenton Triangle and the Drives particularly problematic this time of year.
Most students and young professional house-sharers will be heading off to spend the summer with their families, however some do stay over the summer months.
We do have a number of local action days happening around the city over the coming months, focusing on property standards and targeted inspections amongst other activities. Look out for our officers out and about over the summer period. More details on the Action Days click here
You can help us by;
1. Checking in with tenants on any issues
An end of term property inspection or check-out can be a good idea to address tenant’s concerns and make a list of essential maintenance – which can be done when the property is empty over the summer. You may want to also do an external inspection on the bins, garden and exterior.
Please remember any building materials and commercial waste should not be disposed of in the domestic waste bins.
Please check you licence conditions for your responsibilities dealing with rubbish, also record your visit and any remedial actions to satisfy your licence condition that requires you to carry out a property inspection at least every six months.
2. Make security a priority
Summer is a favourite time for burglars. They will take advantage of any empty home, but you can give your tenants tips – like making sure windows and doors are locked, security lights are on, internal security alarms are enabled and a light is left on or on a timer.
3. Checking in with the neighbours
If you see the neighbours have a chat with them and introduce yourself, give them your contact number, a good neighbour can help you manage your property and let you know if there are any problems.
4. Put together an emergency action plan
You want to enjoy Summer, too. The last thing you need is a call for the security alarm as the key holder or other general issues. Speak to all your maintenance team – Gas Safe registered engineers, plumbers, electricians, etc. and make sure they are available for an emergency call-out.
If your property is to remain occupied you may want to send a friendly reminder about living in a residential area and how to be a good neighbour. We have worked with Unipol to create this handy guide available by clicking here.
5. Start planning for the tenant’s return
You
might want to refresh your tenancy information pack to ensure it’s up to date
and is compliant with your licence conditions. Your tenancy pack should include
the following information;
- A copy of the Property Licence and conditions
- Where appropriate, copies of the current gas certificate, electrical safety report and energy performance certificates
- Details of procedures when reporting anti-social behaviour (ASB)
- Details of the Tenant(s) duties and responsibilities to enable the Licence Holder or manager in complying with the Licence conditions
- Details of how to make a complaint, report maintenance issues and m other general enquiries
- Details of the arrangements in place including expected timescales, to deal with emergency and other enquires or repairs
- Details of telephone numbers between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday and an out of hours contact number in case of emergencies. This can include a number with a regularly accessed voicemail. Any change in contact details should be provided to Tenants within 24 hours of the changes being made
- Refuse collection day information
- What type of bins to use for household and recycling waste
- Details of the Council’s bulky waste collection service
- Details of the Council’s missed bin collection service
- Tenants responsibility on putting out bins no earlier than 4pm on the day before collection and to return refuse containers to the property by 8am the day after
- Tenants should make arrangements for any extra rubbish that can’t fit in the bins to be collected within seven (7) days and/or disposed of as soon as is reasonably practicable and ensure that such rubbish, where possible, is stored at the rear of the property and within the boundary of the property until collection/disposal.
6. If you’re accredited with Unipol or DASH under the Nottingham standard why not contact them and sign up to their regular updates. You can find out more about the Nottingham Standard on our website https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/nottinghamstandard
We are still open over the summer period. Should you need housing support during this period, you can contact the HMO team here at HMO@nottinghamcity.gov.uk anytime or call the Customer Hub on 0115 915 5555 between 9am and 5pm. We will try to get back to you as quickly as possible.
We also send out a monthly newsletter, which includes service, industry, government updates and other relevant news. You can sign up here.
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