Estate Management
Estate management is one of the key housing management services we provide. We want our estates to be pleasant places to live in and our residents to enjoy the environment around their homes.
Estate management covers a broad range of activities such as untidy gardens, abandoned vehicles, problem pets, tackling graffiti and illegal dumping/fly-tipping. It also includes communal areas like closes and antisocial behaviour in our estates.
Services Standards
We have a number of Estate Management Service Standards that were agreed in consultation with our tenants.
The Service Standards are:
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The estate caretaker service will carry out checks and visits to make sure we are maintaining the estates to a high standard.
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We will remove racist graffiti within 24 hours, and all other graffiti within seven days.
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We will reply to complaints and reports of antisocial behaviour within three days and, where appropriate, contact other agencies to provide help or support.
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If we know or are told about an abandoned property, we will investigate within one working day and, where appropriate, secure the property.
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We will consult you, tenants' groups and other interested people about the services we provide on your estates.
Your Garden
You are responsible for:
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Keeping the garden tidy, cultivated and free of rubbish or any unsightly or scrap materials.
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Trimming or lopping any shrubs, hedges or trees to make sure they do not become a nuisance.
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Maintaining any general garden paths or patios.
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Providing and maintaining fencing between gardens unless we originally provided it.
If you are elderly or disabled and are unable to cut your grass the Council provides a grass cutting service during the summer months. The charge for this service is £60 per season. If you would like more information contact your Area Housing Office or telephone: 0845 603 0594.
Permissions
You need our permission to:
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Build a garage in your garden
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Put up or change a wall or fence
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Cut down or remove any bushes, hedges or trees unless you planted them
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Put up a hut if it is exceptionally large or you want to put it closer than 5m to the house or you want to put it in a shared garden.
Pets
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You may keep one domestic animal. You must get our permission to keep more or to keep any exotic or unusual pets.
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You must make sure that your pets cannot escape, e.g. don't leave gates open.
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Your pets must not annoy your neighbours. This includes fouling, noise or smell from your pet. You must clean up your animal's faeces.
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You can be fined or taken to court if you allow your dog to foul public areas or roam.
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Do not allow your dog to bark continually.
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We can stop you having pets if you are not a responsible owner.
Common Areas and Door Entry Systems
There are caretakers and concierges who are responsible for looking after some blocks of flats and the surrounding areas. In particular, they are responsible for security and arranging repairs.
Cleaning is the joint responsibility of the tenants and other residents in flats and maisonettes (but not in sheltered schemes). This includes staircases, corridors, hallways, landings and windows
If residents do not clean an area, we will take appropriate action.
Door entry systems should be used properly. Always keep the main door of your close secure.
If you have a door viewer (spy hole), check to see who is calling before opening the door. If you do not know them and they do not have an appointment, do not open the door.
If you are expecting a caller, always ask to see some form of identification.
Check it carefully. If you are unsure, ask the caller to wait outside while you telephone the organisation they claim to represent.
Fobs
Key entry fobs will be issued to each household living in a block where there is a controlled entry system. The number of fobs issued depends on the size of your household.
In general we will issue fobs as per the following standard:
Single Tenant: 2 x fobs
Couple: 2 x fobs
Children and other household members 14 years or over: 1 x fob per person
Children under 14: no fob issued
If you lose your fob or require extra fobs you can ask your Area Housing Office for a replacement or for an extra fob. There is a cost for replacement or extra fobs. Each fob costs £10 + vat (currently 20%). The Area Housing office will arrange a replacement for you as soon as possible.
Environmental and Related Services
If you have issues with any of the following you can link to them below and report them online or you can telephone 0845 603 0594