Whole Doc - Bath and North East Somerset Council
Contents
1. who will arrange for the Contractor to return to site and rectify the fault In the case of emergencies outside normal working hours you should contact aas INSERT TELEPHONE NUMBER REPORT PROBLEMS All problems should be reported initially to Curo during office opening hours On 01225 366111 Or in emergency out of hours On 0345 245 0566 Do not be afraid to tell us if you have any problem If you are not sure about your problem just telephone the number at the top of the page and we will happily talk you through the problem and make sure that it is put right Insure your belongings Curo does not insure the contents of your home or your personal possessions The association cannot be responsible for these in any way You should arrange a comprehensive insurance policy to cover you for fire burglary house break in storm and flood damage and other risks as soon as you move in Curo do offer a scheme through Home Plus that you can take advantage of Details are contained in your tenants sign up pack SECURITY LIGHTING An external quality light fitting is mounted on the wall next to the main entrance door The fitting is operated with a motion detector device which detects bodies approaching and will automatically switch the light on when people approach the door The light will also switch itself off after several minutes The external areas will also be lit by security lights2. You are allowed to decorate your home to your own choice but you should remember that when you leave the home it should be in as near to the existing condition as when you move in You are advised not to decorate during the first twelve months after your home was built as the Contractor will not be able to match the paint colours should there be any cracks etc that need to be made good You are allowed to hang pictures on the walls along with shelves and cupboards Your home is constructed of timber frame lined internally with plasterboard and appropriate fixings should be used Consult your local DIY store if in doubt You should be aware that any fixings on the external walls if installed incorrectly will puncture a vapour control layer which will affect the insulation of your home You are not allowed to remove any fixture wall or door Any alterations to plumbing and or electrical fittings must be carried out by a competent professional tradesperson Before you undertake any alteration or addition you should discuss this with the Association who may require a written application complete with all details of the proposed works When buying materials for your home and garden please be aware of environmental matters and use materials that are not harmful to the environment 43 TROUBLE SHOOTING Checks to be made before calling Curo Check the following you may not need to call Curo Service Centre having followed this advice
3. However you may find that having this information to hand when you contact Curo useful Plumbing IF BOILER DOES NOT WORK AT ALL GO THROUGH THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST Is the boiler making any noise You should not be able to hear any noise Is the electricity turned on Check the switch on the wall is switched on and that there is credit on your meter Is the gas turned on Is there credit on your meter Is water available at the boiler Are the stopcocks open Is the clock selector switch set to continuous Or is the timer still set Change the setting Is the RED ignition light on If no contact your Customer Service Centre 44 Hot water but no heating Is the boiler turned on Is the room thermostat switched Turn the dial clockwise to on maximum Is it turned up fully If not turn it up further Is there a clock fitted What time is it set for Is the clock selector switch set Or is the timer still set to continuous Are the radiators turned on Turn the radiator valve clockwise to maximum Bleed the radiator of air with Is the radiator hot only at the the key provided Open gently bottom until air can be heard escaping close quickly as soon water appears You will find it useful to have a towel ready as the water may be dirty and mark your carpet If you still have no heating then please ring Curo 45 Ele
4. dishwashers Water consumption Some models use more water than others but more water doesn t mean better performance 20 Water conservation To help you choose a water efficient model the table below shows roughly how much water typical appliances use Washing machine 30 100 litres per wash programme based on a wash load capacity of 5kg Washer dryer 60 200 litres per wash and drying programme based on a wash load capacity of 5kg How well does it perform Dishwasher 10 30 litres per wash based on an 8 place setting Dishwasher 10 50 litres per wash based on a 12 place setting Water efficiency Choose a model that uses water more efficiently For example buying a washing machine that uses 30 litres per wash rather than 100 litres could save an average family about 20 per year on a metered water bill and reduce their water consumption by about 1 500 bucketfuls Noise Manufacturers don t have to provide information on noise and most don t If shown the lower the number the quieter the appliance Lamps The label design is simpler than for other labelled appliances In addition to the standard A G scale for energy efficiency the label provides information on the luminous flux of the light bulb in lumens the input power of the light bulb in watts and the average rated life of the light bulb in hours 21 No labels Ask your retailer first he must by law provide this informati
5. The builder will repair only very large cracks that may form during the first 12 months Smaller cracks in plaster or paintwork can be made good with filler prior to decorating First floor joists The joists supporting the floor to the bedrooms and bathroom are special TJI joists Under no circumstances must you cut out or notch these joists for example if you wish to conceal wiring under the floor If you do this you will weaken the structural support which can be dangerous 39 SECURITY 1 Do not allow strangers into your home without asking for proof of identity and being satisfied with that identity 2 Whenever you leave your home even to visit a neighbour for a short time make sure your entrance door and all windows are secured The two point locking handles on the windows will enable you to lock the window and still leave a small gap for ventilation 3 Never leave valuables where they can be seen by looking through a window 4 Hide small valuable items like jewellery 5 Make sure that the contents of your home are adequately insured against fire and theft and that any terms about declaring valuables are complied with 6 Have valuable items photographed and use the new marking methods available so that your goods can be traced if stolen 40 REFUSE COLLECTION BIN DAY IDENTIFY WHERE REFUSE WILL BE COLLECTED gt INSERT LOCAL COUNCIL lt collect your general refuse which should be placed on the kerbs
6. arrange access with you to remedy the defects Common defects are Cracks in plaster Broken ironmongery Faulty windows and doors Do not be afraid to tell us if you have any problems However it would assist if you do not report defects except emergencies on a Friday afternoon as we may not be able to attend to it before the weekend 31 MINIMISING CRACKING Gentle heating Try to keep your house at an even temperature and allow your house to heat up gradually Ventilation Leave windows and internal doors open as much as possible Leave your window vents open Keep kitchen and bathroom doors closed when cooking or bathing and leave a window open Leave a space between large pieces of furniture and the external walls Do not overfill your cupboards as this will prevent the air circulating 32 Produce Less Moisture Cover pans when cooking and do not leave kettles boiling Do not dry clothes on radiators or on clothes dryers If you install a tumble drier ensure that it is either a condenser type or is directly ventilated to the outside air 33 TELEPHONE Your home is provided with a British Telecom socket to the living room and bedrooms You should contact your selected service supplier in order to become a subscriber as you are responsible for any connection charges 34 TV AERIAL Houses TV aerial points are provided in the living room and all bedrooms a cable connects these so
7. examined and repaired by a qualified electrician or the appliance has been replaced If the fault is due the electrical installation to the property during the Defects period please report this to Curo during normal office hours Residents should note that if the fault is with a normal domestic appliance the repairing responsibility lies with the resident 46 Please take care to ensure that any electrical appliance you use is suitable for connection to a 240 volt 50 cycle AC supply Ensure it is safe and in good working order and that a fuse of an appropriate rating is installed in the plug of the appliance please see fuse guide below If you have doubts about any appliance you should seek advice from a qualified electrician 47 FAULT REPORTING PROCEDURE amp DEFECTS General Defects Although your home has already been inspected and passed it is possible that unforeseen defects may occur during the first year since completion Should you encounter such problems please advise Curo Customer Service Centre who will ensure that swift action is taken to inspect and remedy them if necessary Please take time to read the trouble shooting items before you report a defect to ensure that time and money is not wasted The defects period does not cover general wear and tear For your information building defects will be passed onto either the Oval Homes dedicated maintenance team for them to action Our response times should mirror t
8. fitted with motion detectors in line with the Secure by Design requirements YOUR GARDEN The garden area is yours to enjoy but please do not move or adjust the planting in your garden without consulting your Housing Officer The planting scheme is a planning condition and if we have to replace any planting that you have removed you will be charged There is a 12 month Maintenance Defect period for all the new Landscaping on the development commencing from INSERT DATE Please ensure that newly laid turf is watered regularly to avoid it dying especially in the summer months BOUNDARIES Your boundaries and fences should be clearly defined if you have a query about the boundaries of your home or the location of your parking space s please contact Curo If you have a problem with the planting boundaries or fencing please contact Curo On 01225 366000 ELECTRICITY Your consumer unit is located in the cupboard off the hallway and identifies all the lighting and power circuits Your Electricity Meter is located in the storage cupboard in the entrance hall Each circuit protected by a miniature circuit breaker or MCB These breakers are easy to re set by flicking the switch back to the on position In addition to the MCB s there are switches called residual current devices or RCD s these devices isolate the supply to the whole house Circuit breakers are generally more sensitive than fuses and ma
9. information and safety The criteria are reviewed on a regular basis and standards are constantly being raised to make sure that energy saving bulbs keep on improving in terms of efficiency and performance So by buying an Energy Saving Recommended bulb you can be sure it will not only save energy but also be of the highest quality Always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo recommended Find Energy Saving Recommended lightbulbs 5 Help and support Get more advice on energy efficiency Call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 for free impartial advice on making your home more energy efficient Click here to find out more about our local advice centres RESPONSIBLE PURCHASING Did you know recommended A large chest freezer that is 10 years old he single biggest electricity consuming appliance in your home An A rated dishwasher uses 27 less electricity than an equivalent C Rated appliance An A rated cold appliance uses 56 less electricity than an equivalent C rated one How do new white goods compare to older models If your current appliances are more than 10 years old you could save the following in electricity bills simply by upgrading to a new energy efficient model The table below gives an indication as to the typical savings that can be made Energy Average savings per Rating year Fridge freezer A A 40 Upright Chest A A 35 fr
10. over the lifetime of all of the bulbs And before you ask these savings take into account the higher cost of energy saving light bulbs These days the average price is around 2 a bulb so you ll usually recoup the extra outlay within a year Energy saving light bulbs use a fifth to a quarter of the electricity of ordinary bulbs to generate the same amount of light So where you d normally use a 60W bulb you ll only need a 13 18W energy saving recommended equivalent Ordinary bulbs nergy saving equivalent N Ul m 40W 11W 60W 13 18W 100W 20 25W 3 Suitability are they suitable for my home Don t stay in the dark You re bound to still have some questions about energy saving light bulbs We ve answered some of the most common queries and shattered several popular myths along the way Click here to see the frequently asked questions about energy saving lighting 4 What to look for when buying energy saving lightbulbs When you re shopping for energy saving lightbulbs look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo It s the quick and easy way to spot the most energy efficient products on the market If a lightbulb carries the logo it means it s met the strict energy efficiency criteria set by the Energy Saving Trust and has been independently tested by an independent accredited test house As well as energy consumption criteria for lightbulbs cover how long they should last quality of light packaging
11. separate bags for a separate collection by the council which for recycled refuse is carried out on a fortnightly basis For more details of the types of refuse that can be recycled please go to Postal Code Your new Postal Code is Decorations During the first 12 months the Builder is responsible for repairing major cracks and other faults However if you decorate before he has made good these cracks he may not be able to match your colour scheme You may not decorate the property without the consent of Curo Consent will not be given within the first 12 months Similarly we recommend that you do not fit laminated flooring for the first few months as it may be damaged if there is a leak User Manual The remainder of this HOME USER PACK contains a large amount of information that will help you operate and maintain the equipment in your new home It also advises you of ways of avoiding problems and how to save money Take time to read it and know where to find it when you need it Please keep the handbook safe it must be returned to Curo at the end of your tenancy Defects While every effort has been made to ensure that your home is free from any problems like a new car faults unfortunately can occur Having carefully checked that it is not something simple like a failed bulb the boiler is switched off or it is something covered by your User Manual please contact _ INSERT TELEPHONE NUMBER
12. your home They are normally connected when you move in but may be removed if you do not contact the Companies Water Your water supply is metered The meter can be found in the circular inspection chamber located in the pavement just outside your home The stop tap is located in the cupboard under the kitchen sink Your water provider is Wessex Water Electric Your electric meter is located in the wall to the front of your house The fuse board consumer unit can be found in the hallway Please note that the fuse board in your new home is very sensitive for your safety and if any of your own appliances have a fault however slight the fuse will trip cutting off the electricity supply In some cases this happens even when a light bulb fails and all you need to do is reset the trip on the consumer unit If it trips again it is most likely that there is a fault in a fitting or appliance that has been fitted by you rather than the installation Gas The gas supply enters your home through the gas meter located in the brown semi recessed meter boxing which is at ground level to the front of the building The gas supply can be turned off by via the gas shut off valve which is located in the gas meter box Refuse and Recycling A recycling bin has been installed in your kitchen The Local Authority will collect general refuse fortnightly It will help the environment if you separate recycling refuse and store it in
13. Only fill kettles with the amount of water needed Don t leave the tap running when you are brushing your teeth Use a bucket and sponge to wash the car rather than a hosepipe Wash vegetables in a bowl rather than under running water 23 GAS Your Gas meter is located in the Brown Meter Box located at the front of the building and this is where you turn your gas off gt INSERT SUPPLIER lt is the current gas supplier to your property Any work on the gas installation must only be carried out by Gas Safe registered persons IF YOU SMELL GAS DO NOT switch any lights or equipment on DO turn off the gas supply at the meter DO open the window DO telephone the Gas Emergency number 0800 111999 to report a leak 24 WATER gt INSERT SUPPPLIER NAME lt Water is the current water supplier to your property When you move in you should contact them on gt INSERT TELEPHONE NUMBER lt in order to set up your billing account Turn off your water here You will find the stop tap located in the cupboard under the kitchen sink The connections for a washing machine are under the kitchen sink We recommend that a qualified engineer install your washing machine gt INSERT NAME lt is the water provider to your property gt INSERT NAME lt Emergency Number gt INSERT NUMBER lt Tips to remember If you intend to leave your house for more than a day or two in winter you should l
14. Q1 Quadrant Distribution Centre Hardwicke GLOUCESTER Gloucestershire GL2 2RN Tel 01452 886 155 Fax 01452 886156 Email info markeybuilders co uk Web www markeyconstruction co uk Local Authority Bath and North East Somerset Council BANES The Guildhall High Street Bath BA1 5AW Tel 0300 456 0100 Email enquiries bathnes gov uk Cycle Networks Sustrans Information Line Tel 0845 113 00 65 Email info sustrans org uk Web www sustrans org uk WRAP The Old Academy 21 Horse Fair Banbury OX16 OAH Tel 01295 819 900 Web www wrap org uk 50 The National Energy Foundation Davy Avenue Knowlhill Milton Keynes MK5 8NG Tel 01908 665555 Fax 01908 665577 Email info nef org uk Web www nef org uk energyadvice lighting htm DEFRA Information Resource Centre Lower Ground Floor Ergon House c o Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR Tel 08459 33 55 77 Email helpline defra gsi gov uk National Energy Centre Davy Avenue Knowlhill Milton Keynes MK5 8NA Tel 01908 672787 Fax 01908 662296 Email enquiry nesltd co uk Web www neslitd co uk Energy Saving Trust 21 Dartmouth Street London SW1H 9BP Tel 0800 512 012 Fax 020 7654 2460 Web www energysavingtrust co uk 51 Defect Rectification Timings and Examples Emergency Repairs priority Code 1 As soon as possible and in any event within 24 hours in respect of the breakdown of vital services or ser
15. TENANTS INFORMATION PACK Meter Number Meter Reading GAS ELECTRIC WATER Oo AN ADU BW N BS NNN NNNNNN FP PP BP RP FP FP FP BP oo N DW WN BR WN FP CO UO WON OD WH BR WN KF CO INDEX Introduction Welcome to your home Quickstart Report Problems Insure your belongings Security Lighting Your garden Boundaries Electricity Energy Saving Gas Water Heating and Hot Water Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Running in Minimising Cracking Telephone TV Aerial Equipment Security Refuse Collection Bin Day Do and Don ts DIY Troubleshooting Fault Reporting Procedure and Defects Useful Names and Telephone numbers Contact Numbers and Links Defects Rectification Timings Travel Page Number INTRODUCTION Welcome to your new home You are now the tenant of a fully centrally heated new home Each property has its own parking space for your use Your home and its surroundings have been designed and built with great care and attention to detail This handbook has been compiled as a guide to help you run your home and its equipment without problems and it also explains the reason why some things have been carried out in certain ways gt INSERT ADDRESS lt QUICKSTART ADVICE FOR RESIDENTS WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME As soon as you move in it is necessary to apply to various suppliers so that water gas electric and telephone are connected or not disconnected from
16. ckets to an aerial in the roof space an aerial is not provided You will need to arrange for a specialist to install an aerial and provide your own coaxial cables to connect your TV to the wall point 35 EQUIPMENT Kitchen The kitchen is equipped with a range of base units and wall units a stainless steel sink unit together with laminated worktops and tiled splashbacks 13A sockets outlets have been provided for your electrical appliances Spaces have been provided for an electric gas cooker a fridge freezer and washing machine switches controlling the socket outlets for these appliances are located above worktop level Hot and cold water supply and drainage facilities have also been installed in or adjacent to the washing machine space IF IT IS YOUR INTENTION TO INSTALL A DISHWASHER THE CONSENT OF CURO WILL BE NEEDED A QUALIFIED TRADESMAN SHOULD INSTALL THE PLUMBING AND WASTE ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE WORK IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TENANT To clean kitchen units and worktops use a cloth soaked in warm soapy water Never use abrasive materials as this will damage the surfaces Never cut food or other materials directly on the worktops always use a cutting board CURO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RECHARGE FOR DAMAGE CAUSED Bathroom WC The bathroom is equipped with a washbasin WC and pressed steel bath with an over the bath shower and curtain Tiled splashbacks are provided to the basin and ba
17. ctrical You may find that from time to time one of the MCB trips out on the board This will generally be due to a fault on one of the circuits an appliance or it may occur when a light bulb blows This is designed to happen as a protection device and should not cause concern Each of the circuits in your property is on a separate MCB lighting will be on one MCB sockets will be on another etc and are clearly labelled lights shower cooker etc When one of the MCBs trips out it can easily be identified as the one showing OFF To restore the power it is just a matter of lifting the switch on the MCB back to the ON position If it trips out again please follow the procedures set out below Turn off all appliances or lights in the affected circuit Re set the switch on the board to ON If it won t reset unplug all of the appliances on the circuit Turn back on all of the lights or appliances one by one If the MCB trips out again as you turn back on an appliance or light it will mean that the appliance or light is faulty and is causing the MCB to trip out If this happens simply turn off the light and replace the bulb or turn off and unplug the appliance that caused the MCB to trip and again re set the MCB you will then be able to continue to use the remaining lights and or appliances on that circuit The faulty appliance or light should not be reconnected unless it has been
18. e the item in the future you may damage the paintwork or the plasterboard Pictures if not large and other small items may be hung on picture hooks either single or double nail types Heavy pictures and mirrors should not be hung on picture hooks Instead use a special wall plug fixing specifically designed for fixing to plasterboard The special wall plugs 37 sometimes referred to as butterfly fixings are available from hardware and DIY shops If fixing through wall tiles keep the end of the wall plug level with the plaster face and not the face of the tile The walls in the bathroom have been reinforced with ply to enable the future installation of mobility aids such as grab rails and hoists Fixing to Ceilings It is possible to fix items to the ceiling but you should take care not to suspend heavy objects from the ceiling The ceilings are constructed using plasterboard fixed to floor joists or on the first floor to the underside of the roof trusses These will normally be spaced about 400mm apart and can be located by tapping across the ceiling If you can locate these you can drill through the plasterboard into the wood and use a woodscrew in the normal way If you cannot find the timber you may fix lightweight items by using toggle bolts or plugs designed for hollow partitions Be careful when nailing or drilling into walls floors or ceilings to avoid contact with any electric cables or pipes that may lie beneath the s
19. eave the heating set on a low level to avoid freezing If there is a risk that pipes are frozen do not run the hot water taps as this will empty the hot water cylinder which could then collapse Do not allow taps to drip as a dripping tap may stain the bath or basin and could result in frozen waste pipes in winter 25 HEATING amp HOT WATER HEATING Your home has a Gas fired condensing combination boiler located on the wall of your kitchen to meet the demands of heating and providing hot water to your property From this hot water is circulated to the radiators in each habitable room via distribution pipework located under the floors A programmeris situated in the hallway which allows you to control your hot water and central heating 26 Once full with water and with the automatic controls correctly set the heating system should need little attention other than periodic inspection and maintenance the latter will be arranged by the Repairs amp Servicing Department HOT WATER Hot water is supplied from your boiler Its temperature can be altered via the control panel on the boiler This will have been set at the normally accepted temperature during commissioning and should not need adjusting 27 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CENTRAL HEATING These notes explain how to start and stop your central heating and hot water system they also explain how to operate your boiler and its controls to give you the res
20. eezer Fridge A A 23 Washing machine A 6 Dishwasher A 17 All information is based on replacing an average appliance purchased from new in 1990 with a similar size A rated model and electricity cost of 7 9p kWh Note Cost Savings are only to be used as a guide Did you know The average UK household does approximately 300 washes a year What you get for your money Energy Efficiency The more efficient the product the less energy it needs and the more you get for your money A rated products are the most efficient and G rated products are the least efficient Use the main A G scale to compare different models How much will it cost to run Energy Consumption This tells you how much electricity the product uses in kilowatt hours kKWh You can use this information to work out how much electricity and money you might save if you chose a different model Less electricity use is better for the environment This is a unit of electricity When you buy electricity your supplier charges you for how many kWh or units you use A one bar electric fire uses 1kWh in one hour s use A 100watt electric light bulb uses 1kWh in 10 hours use an energy saving light bulb would go on for 40 hours on 1kWh of electricity duct details Product details Actual savings will of course depend on how you use the product and how much you pay for your electricity You can also save money by load
21. hose set by Curo Defects Inspection Approximately twelve months after completion of the building works an appointment will be made with you and your home will be jointly inspected by Curo and an Oval representative to identify any defects that may still be outstanding and require rectification Your co operation at this stage will be appreciated It is useful at the inspection to have prepared a list of the items you feel are covered during the defects period to ensure that all items are addressed You are asked not to re decorate your property until this maintenance period has elapsed and any defects corrected as we are unable to match any changes in the colour scheme 48 USEFUL NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS Water Authority Customer Billing enquires for gt INSERT NAME lt Tel gt INSERT NUMBER lt gt INSERT NAME lt Sewerage Tel gt INSERT NUMBER lt Electricity gt INSERT NAME lt electricity supply gt INSERT NUMBER lt You may use another supplier of electricity if you prefer Telephone British Telecom Tel 0800 800150 Non BT Phone Freephone 150 BT Phone Gas gt INSERT NAME lt gas supply gt INSERT NUMBER lt You may use another supplier of gas if you prefer 49 CONTACT NUMBERS amp LINKS Landlord Curo The Maltings River Place Lower Bristol Road BATH BA2 1EP Tel 01225 366000 Web www curo group co uk Contractor Markey Construction Gloucester Ltd Unit
22. ide before 7am on the day of collection ready to be picked up It will help the environment if you separate recycling and store it in the bins provided in the kitchen to then be placed out on the day ready for collection For more details of the types of refuse that can be recycled please go to gt INSERT WEBSITE ADDRESS lt Refuse is currently gt INSERT lt and is collected ona gt INSERT lt Recycling is collected gt INSERT lt which is on a gt INSERT lt For full details of collections ring gt INSERT NUMBER lt The Council offers a bulky domestic waste collection service for the removal of bulky items from outside your home that are not collected through the weekly service Please note this service includes the collection of fridges and freezers The service has been created to help people who cannot take for example the larger items of furniture household amp garden equipment and fridges to the Recycling Centres There is a charge for this service See gt INSERT WEBSITE lt or call the number above for further details 41 Do s and Don ts Do ventilate your home properly Avoid drying clothes indoors Do close the door when cooking or bathing to restrict moisture TT J EA CD Do not use your roof space for storage Do wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces after use to remove surplus water 42 DIY While your new home is your home there are rules as to what you can and cannot do to your home
23. in the hallway area the living room and in the kitchen area There is also a CO2 detector head fitted in the kitchen which will detect any carbon monoxide fumes in the unlikely event of it leaking from the boiler A fire alarm system is also fitted in the hallway which in the event of a fire will activate an alarm within your property Regular maintenance of both the boiler and detector will ensure your safety Think about escape routes Now Carbon Monoxide detector 29 Smoke detector The system control indicator panel is powered by a dedicated electrical supply together with an integral backup battery and charger unit The manual for all instructions and information for operating the fire alarm and carbon monoxide detectors can be found in the tenants handover pack The detectors are sensitive to dust and you should periodically remove any dust with the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner 30 RUNNING IN If you are the first resident to move into a new property you should be aware that the Building Contractor who did the work is responsible for any construction defect that may occur during the first year after the work was completed Your home will be drying out during the first year and shrinkage cracks will appear This is normal and at the end of the first year we will arrange an inspection of your home with you and the Building Contractor The Contractor will be given a list of all the defects and they will
24. ing washing machines washer dryers and dishwashers fully using economy and low temperature settings and spin drying clothes well before you tumble dry by ensuring that fridges and freezers are installed away from cookers and other sources of heat in accordance with the manufacturer s advice and by switching off lights when not needed Manufacturer s name and product details This confirms the manufacturer s name and model number check that this is the same as the model you actually choose to buy re cu N _Ecolabel Some products may be awarded the European Ecorave which may appear on the label or elsewhere The Ecolabel indicates that the product has been independently assessed and found to meet strict environmental criteria considering more than just energy consumption putting it among the best in its class How well does it perform The European Ecolabel How well does it perform washing machines combined washer dryers and dishwashers The A G indicators here are similar to the main energy efficiency ratings and are based on European standards the test cycle used is on the label A is the best performance and G is the worst performance For example a washing machine that has a good spin drying performance will save you money and time if you choose to tumble dry the clothes on tumble drying Water consumption conservation and efficiency washing machines combined washer dryers and
25. ious defects involving a risk to tenants or the building Urgent Repairs Priority Code 2 Within 7 days in respect of defects which are not a positive danger but cause some inconvenience to tenants or staff and which may develop into a more serious defect if left unattended which while necessary does not affect the immediate users of the building and which may be carried out when operatives are next in the building Normal Work Priority Code 3 Within 28 days in respect of all other defects 52 Guidance sheet for prioritising defects The following examples are guidelines only and show the maximum normal response time Any problem that puts the health and safety or security of residents or someone else at immediate risk or that has a negative effect on the structure of the building EXAMPLES Total loss of electricity water or gas supply you should decide whether this is a neighbourhood problem and if so contact the appropriate organisation Major plumbing leaks or bursts Major roof leaks Dangerous wiring risk of electric shock Security make outside doors and ground floor windows safe and secure Suspected or actual gas leak ring TRANSCO on 0800 111999 Blocked foul drains soil pipe or the only toilet in the property No heating or hot water heating between 31 October and 1 May only outside these dates priority 2 Slipped roof tiles faulty chimneys masonry and so on where
26. lbs and energy saving ones 14 Read about the light bulb Pepsi challenge That s the good news Now here s some more Technology s moved on a lot since energy saving light bulbs were first invented and so has the way they look In fact whatever types of bulbs you use to light your home there are sure to be stylish energy saving equivalents So why not switch to energy saving light bulbs today As you ll see even the best excuses no longer apply The phase out of inefficient light bulbs You may have seen in the news that inefficient light bulbs are being phased out click here to find out more about the phasing out of inefficient light bulbs See energy saving bulbs in a new light In your mind s eye think of an energy saving bulb is it bulky and oddly shaped Maybe giving off a cold harsh light If so be prepared to think again There are now more good reasons than ever to buy energy saving light bulbs Here are some of the best Advances in technology mean that energy saving light bulbs are now available in a wide variety of fittings shapes and sizes Like standard bulbs they come in all shapes and sizes These range from stick shaped bulbs candle shaped varieties with small or medium screw and bayonet fittings The choice really is yours Nowadays there are even halogen and dimmable energy saving bulbs on the market And thanks to the invention of soft tone bulbs you can enjoy a war
27. m etc These are for your safety and must not be interfered with or disconnected ENERGY SAVING Your new home has been designed to meet the Building Regulations Standard of Thermal Insulation by insulating the roof space and external walls and installing double glazed windows This helps to reduce the amount of fuel you need to keep comfortable warm In addition your house has been fitted with solar panels to provide a renewable source of energy to your home The heating should under normal conditions be set to achieve an indoor temperature of between 17 and 20 c 63 to 68 F Remember the warmer the room the more it is costing In each dwelling energy saving light fittings complete with low energy lamps have been provided A All other light fittings excluding the florescent fitting to the kitchen and TF d bathroom are lamped with low energy bulbs There are now more good reasons than ever to buy energy saving light bulbs 1 Overview Energy saving light bulbs have always been a bright idea for your pocket and the environment They use up to 80 per cent less electricity than a standard bulb but produce the same amount of light In other words they can help you to save money and energy all in one wise purchase And by saving energy you ll be helping to fight climate change too In our light bulb Pepsi challenge we found that half of the people could not spot the difference between traditional light bu
28. m glow rather than a cold light 15 They re just as bright as normal bulbs but better for the environment Simple fact energy saving light bulbs use less electricity than standard bulbs to do the same job In turn using less energy like electricity means that our homes produce less carbon dioxide one of the main causes of climate change So why not do your bit to help fight climate change Next time you need a bulb buy an energy saving one You can now buy low energy light fittings which will only take low energy light bulbs These use a ballast or transformer fitted into the base of the light fitting It controls the supply of electricity to the bulb allowing for a small surge of power for a millisecond to light the bulb and then reducing the electricity flow to a very low level Low energy fittings require a pin based energy saving bulb This is a different fitting to a conventional bulb but will ensure that the bulbs you buy in future will always Save energy money and the environment 2 Benefits Depending on how long your lights are in use every day just one energy saving light bulb could save you on average around 3 a year and up to 6 for brighter bulbs or those used for more hours a day And because it will last up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb it could save you around 45 before it needs replacing Fit all the lights in your house with energy saving bulbs and you could save around 50 a year and 675
29. on Local authorities in England Wales and Scotland are responsible for enforcing the regulations that cover energy labels and similar energy information in mail order catalogues etc Enforcement in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment To obtain contact details for your local Trading Standards Department click on http www tradingstandards gov uk and enter your postcode Further information To find out more ways to save money on your energy bills and choose efficient appliances look on the Energy Saving Trust s Save Energy website at http www saveenergy co uk SAVING WATER IN THE HOME Water is an important source and all of us can be guilty of needlessly wasting water Here are a few tips on how to save water in and around the home which could reduce wastage and costs Any Leak is a waste get it fixed Check all taps to ensure none are dripping Check for leaks under the sink basin bath and associated pipe work Check the WC bowl for signs of any continually running water If you see water running from an external overflow pipe report it straight way as you may have a fault with a ball cock system not closing properly allowing water to run freely 22 Check all outside taps and pipe work are protected from frost and tanks and pipe work in loft spaces are properly insulated Take a shower instead of a bath
30. t Complimentary bus tickets will be issued to residents Undated tickets can be bought from any First Travel shop at bus stations and the date filled in later gt Insert information amp website on First Travel tickets lt 54
31. th There is an extractor fan for ventilation to reduce condensation This runs automatically so long as the main 36 switch for the extractor fan is on This switch is located outside of the bathroom to the side of the door Doors and Windows Doors The front entrance door is of secured by design standard and fitted with a BS standard multipoint locking mechanism operated by a key from the outside and the thumb turn from the inside The door is also supplied with a door viewer and security chain The French door is also secured by design standard and fitted with a BS standard multipoint lock The bathroom door is fitted with lever handles and a bathroom lock which is the case of an emergency can be opened from the outside Windows The windows are white PVCu double glazed units fully weather stripped fitted with easy clean hinges lockable handles to the ground floor and restrictors to first floor windows To clean window frames use a cloth soaked in warm soapy water or a specialist PVCu cleaning product Never use abrasive materials as this will damage the surface USEFUL INFORMATION Fixing to a wall The walls in your house are finished with plasterboard Care needs to be taken when making fixings to plasterboard walls Very light items may be fixed by using adhesives to the manufacturer s instructions but be careful the bond can be no stronger than the adhesion of the paint to the wall and if you decide to remov
32. these put people at risk or allow water ingress Faulty smoke alarms and fire alarms Toilet not flushing Loose or broken toilet pan where there is a serious leak or it is potentially dangerous Not an emergency but likely to cause serious inconvenience EXAMPLES No heating between 1 May and 31 October Toilet not flushing Loose or broken toilet pan or cistern Leaking overflows winter only Shower repairs Loss of communal lighting Door entry repairs TV aerial repairs to communal systems Other defects are likely to fall into this category EXAMPLES Blocked gutters and rainwater pipes Repairs to slate tile and lead roofs Carpentry repairs Loss of heat to single radiator or night storage heater Loss of electricity to single socket or lampholder Loss of an individual communal light Street lighting Outside rendering Fencing gate and path repairs Internal plastering Decorating Ceramic tiled surrounds Defective flooring repairs Damp proofing woodworm and dry rot treatments 53 Travel Bus timetables can be found on the following website gt insert website lt With an example of the current fares being gt insert fares lt Train timetables can be found on the following website gt insert website lt With an example of the current fares being gt insert fares lt Local cycle routes can be found on the following website gt insert website l
33. ults you require Do not be influenced by the advice of friends or neighbours the setting of the controls of a central heating system is a personal option their system may not be exactly the same as yours and results obtained may not suit your requirements Should the heating or controls cease to function and you are not sure about correct operation turn off the heating system boiler using the on off switch and then switch off the electrical supply at the switch next to the programmer and contact Curo If a gas leak is suspected turn off the gas supply at the gas meter and call the emergency number 0800 111 999 YOUR SYSTEM CONTROLS SHOULD BE SET AS FOLLOWS a Refer to the boiler user s instructions b Room stat set to desired temperature but note that the thermostat temperature setting shown is not precise and should be adjusted for your own comfort c Programmer your programmer has the ability to set the times you want both your central heating and hot water systems to be operational The user s guide will explain how to set up the programmer to suit your personal requirements d Hot Water Temperature this will be set up before you move into your home and should not need adjusting 28 Smoke Carbon Monoxide Detectors FIRE ALARM INSTALLATION Your home is fitted with a mains fire alarm system which has been installed for your safety There are several detector heads installed they are generally located
34. urface Do not drill either vertically or horizontally in line with an electric socket or light switch and always check in the next room if you intend fixing to a partition Blockages Kitchen waste pipes If a blockage occurs and the sink is full of water try to remove the blockage by pushing a flexible rod down the plughole or by using a suction cup plunger to force water up and down the waste pipe The risk of blockages can be reduced if you remember to put fat that solidifies when cold into an empty tin or milk carton rather than down the drain Baths and Basins Blockages here are normally caused by a build up of hair and soap and become noticeable 38 when the bath or basin start to drain away more slowly Use a suction cup plunger as for the kitchen sink WC s Never flush disposable nappies or similar items down the toilet as these can cause a serious blockage for which you will need the service of a drain cleaning company to clear If blockages are found to be caused by disposable nappies etc the cost will be recharged to the tenant Sanitaryware Baths basins and sinks should be cleaned with recommended products to avoid damaging surfaces Do not use scouring or gritty cleaners Bleach should not be mixed with lavatory powder nor allowed to stand in stainless steel sinks Redecorating Redecorating can be carried out following the 12 months maintenance inspection when the contractor will repair any defects
35. y well trip out even when a light bulb fails or you are using an appliance with an electrical fault or faulty plug Remember that electricity can kill a Do not attempt to do any work on an electrical circuit or appliance unless you are suitably qualified gt INSERT NAME OF SUPPLIER lt is the current electricity supplier to your property If you or your neighbours have no electricity supply please call the emergency number below gt INSERT NAME OF SUPPLIER lt gt INSERT TELEPHONE NUMBER lt REMEMBER THAT ELECTRICITY IS DANGEROUS AND CAN KILL SO DO NOT attempt to do any work on an electrical circuit ALWAYS ensure that appliances are fitted with the correct fuse as recommended by the manufacturer ALWAYS unplug any appliance before working on it ALWAYS follow the manufacturer s instructions for wiring appliances DO NOT use a portable electric fire in the bathroom the heating installed should be sufficient for you not to need portable heaters any way NEVER use an electrical hair dryer or any other portable electric appliance in the bathroom except electric shavers supplied from a special shaver unit Keep a torch handy by the control box for emergencies never use matches or a Cigarette lighter DO NOT attempt to repair alter or extend electrical installation Earth bond clamps with green yellow cable are connected to equipment at various positions for example incoming services sink top bathroo
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