Council house letting standard

When you move into your council home, we also check the outside areas and shared spaces to make sure they are safe and usable. This section explains what you can expect around your property.

Outside the property

Where these features are already in place, we make sure:

• boundary walls, fences, and gates are safe and secure
• gates open and close properly, with working hinges and latches
• paths, steps, and driveways are safe to use
• drying areas, clothes poles, or rotary dryers are in good condition

If you live in a flat, drying facilities may be in a shared area.

Gardens

Gardens will be:

• free from rubbish
• left with grass, bushes, and hedges cut to a manageable height

In some cases, final garden work may take place shortly after you move in.

Shared areas, stairwells, and passageways

Shared areas will:

• have adequate lighting
• have windows fitted with restrictors where required
• be free from offensive graffiti

Some follow‑up work may also take place after you move in, especially in shared buildings.

Rubbish and recycling

Your property will have the correct number of outside bins for household waste and recycling, as shown below. We will tell you what bins are provided and how to use them.

Tell us if there is a problem

If you notice an issue with outside areas or shared spaces when you move in, contact us as soon as possible so we can look into it.