Wandsworth Housing Standard for council tenants
We want your home to be safe, comfortable and high quality from the day you move in.
Our ambition
Our standards go beyond the Government’s Decent Homes Standard, so you can feel proud of where you live.
The Decent Homes Standard sets the basic rules for social housing. This means homes must be safe, in good repair, have modern facilities, and keep you warm. At Wandsworth, we aim to do even better.
Condition of your home
What you can expect:
- Your bathroom and toilet will be clean and working properly
Kitchen units and worktops will be clean and in good condition. - We’ll check all pipes to make sure there are no leaks
- Ceilings and walls will be plastered and ready for you to decorate.
- All rubbish will be cleared from inside and outside your home
- Doors and windows will work properly, locks will be changed, and you’ll get the keys. Windows on the first floor and above will have safety restrictors fitted
- Floors will be safe and level, with vinyl or tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets. You are responsible for fitting and looking after carpets or other flooring in your home
- Skirting boards, handrails and stair rails will be secure and in good condition
Health and safety
What you can expect:
- Your home will be checked for damp and mould before you move in. Any problems will be fixed quickly, following the timescales set out in Awaab’s Law
- We’ll make sure extractor fans work properly
- When you move in, you’ll get a gas safety certificate for your boiler and an electrical safety certificate (called an EICR) to show your home is safe
- We’ll require access every year for a gas safety check and every five years for an electrical check. These checks are done by qualified engineers to keep you safe
- We’ll need reasonable access to your home to carry out repairs and complete stock condition surveys. Wherever practical we will provide advanced notice for appointments
- Smoke alarms will be hard-wired and tested before you move in. Carbon monoxide alarms will be fitted in rooms with gas appliances. Please don’t remove them. Let us know if there’s a problem with an alarm
- Fire risk checks will be done for your block, and any hazards will be fixed. Fire doors will be checked every year to make sure they’re in good condition
- Your home will be structurally sound and energy efficient. We’ll carry out an EPC assessment to confirm your home’s rating
Your responsibilities
We expect you to:
- Report any damage, faults, or hazards as soon as you notice them. This helps us fix things quickly for you
- Keep communal areas clear of personal items
What we don't provide
We don’t provide or install appliances like cookers or washing machines. If you fit your own gas appliance, please use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
If there's a problem
If you think your home doesn’t meet these standards, contact your Area Team straight away:
- Central Area: 020 8871 5333
- Eastern Area: 020 8871 7439
- Southern Area: 020 8871 7288
- Western Area: 020 8871 5530
If you’re still unhappy after we’ve tried to sort things out, you can make a formal complaint online.