Welcome home
Weâre here to support you
We go above and beyond for our tenants to ensure they receive a first class service. Here you will find all the information you need to help manage your tenancy and home.
Whether youâre moving into your new ForLiving property or thinking about moving out, youâre in the right place.
Remember that we’re always here to help and we hope you enjoy a long and happy tenancy with us.
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Manage your utilities
To find out more about how to manage your utilities including your gas, electric and water supply, click the tabs below. If you have any additional queries about your utilities please contact us through the form at the bottom of the page or call us on 0330 333 8382.
- Gas safety checks and tips
- Energy efficiency
- Water supply
- Turn off your gas supply at the mains
- Switch off all appliances
- Open doors and windows
- Go outside and call National Grid Emergency on 0800 111 999
- Never try to fix your gas appliance yourself
- Make sure you know where your gas meter is and how to turn off the supply
- Donât block flues, chimneys or vents and never cover a gas appliance
- Donât install your own gas appliances without first informing us
- We will service gas appliances annually and provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to you
- We will check and service smoke alarms and any carbon monoxide alarms
- If we cannot complete the repair at the first visit we will contact you within 24 hours with a follow up appointment. This will usually be to fit parts we have ordered to resolve the problem
- We will install a carbon monoxide alarm for any property with an open flued gas appliance
- Where your central heating fails and a repair can not be immediately undertaken, we will offer you temporary electric heaters
- Our gas team will offer advice and/or assistance on the gas installation in your home
- We will provide a specialist officer to assist customers with support needs during works
- The energy efficiency rating of your home
- The environmental impact rating â carbon dioxide emissions estimated from the efficiency rating of your home
- Bacteria chemicals (such as nitrates and pesticides)
- Metals (such as lead)
- The way water looks and tastes
Follow these simple tips and stay gas safe in your home:
If you smell gas:
Stay gas safe:
Know the signs:
Safe and well-maintained gas appliances should not produce carbon monoxide, but itâs best to know the signs â headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea and collapse.If you experience any of these symptoms, leave the house and contact us.
If we smell gas or are concerned for your safety, we reserve the right to force entry into your home to take emergency action to protect you and your neighbours.
Gas safety checks:
It is essential and a legal requirement that we gain access to your property every 12 months to carry out a gas safety inspection in your home. If you do not let us in, you are taking a risk not only with the law, but potentially with your life.
What weâll do and when weâll do it:
We are working hard to ensure our homes are as energy efficient as possible, but there are lots of great ways you can help make your home more energy efficient and be more environmentally friendly.
Energy efficiency of your home:
Your energy performance certificate (EPC) shows two things:
There are many ways you can save energy just by making simple changes. For tips and advice on saving energy, you can contact us to request a free copy of our customer energy guide. United Utilities are also offering a FREE shower saver pack which can save you up to ÂŁ43 a year on your water bills. The pack includes a shower water regulator that only takes a couple of minutes to fit for a lifetime of savings, tips to save energy, water, and money, plus a water-audit checklist to help you identify other areas where you can save water. Apply for your free pack by visiting the website here.
Waste and recycling:
Every year in the UK, we send around 23 million tonnes of household waste to landfills. At ForLiving, we are trying to do our bit by reducing the amount of waste produced from our operations and our residentâs homes. To support this we recycle 100% of waste from any improvement works we carry out.
Cold water supply:
The water supplied to your home must meet the standards set in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000. The standards are strict and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) conduct regular quality tests to maintain standards. The areas covered are:
Here are some tips to help prevent bacterial growth and contamination of the water supply.
Hot and cold water system
If you have a domestic hot water cylinder in your home, ensure that the thermostat is set at 60ÂșC. Do not reduce this setting or the setting of your boiler thermostat, as bacteria can multiply at lower temperatures. If you have a combination boiler or multi-point water heater, do not reduce the hot water thermostat setting. If you are away from home for long periods (for example holidays or hospital stays), the water in your system can deteriorate if unused. When you return home, heat up your system to the normal temperature, open each tap and run for at least five minutes. Cold taps should be flushed until the water runs cold. When flushing taps and other outlets, open slowly and take care not to cause splashing or release of spray droplets to the atmosphere. Tap spouts on your bath, basin and sink may become contaminated from external sources. Clean tap spouts by wiping with a dilute bleach solution. If the tap is heavily scaled or contaminated, this can be dislodged using a nylon brush.
Showers:
If you have a shower fitted with a flexible hose, make sure that a hose-retaining ring is fitted to prevent the shower head falling into your bath water. Donât use rubber push-on shower hoses on bath taps.
Clean your shower head regularly using a nylon brush then soaking in a bleach solution.
Little used taps/outlets:
Over time the water in the pipework and fittings can deteriorate if a tap or appliance is not used. Open each tap and run for at least five minutes on a weekly basis to ensure that the water remains fresh. Cold taps should be flushed until the water runs cold.
Other fittings and appliances:
If you have an outside tap fitted, the installation must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and incorporate a Backflow Prevention Device, usually a âdouble-check valveâ. Any appliances you buy which are connected to the water supply must comply with the Water Regulations. All domestic appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers comply with the appropriate standards, but many commercial appliances do not and are not suitable for home use. If you have any concerns regarding any of the above in your home, please contact us.
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Repairs and maintenance
One of the advantages of being a ForLiving customer is our trusted repairs and home maintenance service.
Weâll take care of the repairs at your property that are outlined in your Tenancy Agreement.
However, some repairs will be your responsibility. To get advice on how to avoid condensation which can lead to damp, click the âDamp and mouldâ tab below. Please make sure the repair is our responsibility before you report a repair to us.
You can report a repair in several ways from using the online ‘Report it’Â function, emailing us or calling 0300 123 5522.
- Repair categories
- Appointments and timescales
- Damp and mould
- Our dedicated Service Centre will offer a 24-hour emergency repairs services, 365 days a year
- We will check at least 10% of completed repairs to monitor the quality of the work
- We aim to complete all categorised repairs first time
- When you request a repair we will offer you a convenient appointment
- We aim to complete repairs within the timescales outlined below
- We will tell you if an appointment needs to be changed or cancelled and will provide you with a new appointment date
- Emergency repairs (to which the hazard has been identified as representing a danger to the tenant and general public)
- Total loss of water supply
- Door locks (where there is a security risk)
- Serious electrical faults or no lights or power to property
- Blocked toilet
- Major leaks or bursts
- Partial loss of electrical supply
- Partial loss of water supply
- Blocked sink, bath, or basin
- Faulty taps
- Minor electrical repairs
- Door locks and repairs to external doors where there is no security risk
- Repair or renew ball valves
- Minor leaks to water service pipes
- Minor leaks to toilets, baths, wash basins, waste pipes
- Replace or repair waste water pipe
- Re-fix loose toilet pan, cistern or wash hand basin
- Replacement of door and window furniture
- Leaking pipes, wastes, or overflows
- Rain seeping through the roof where a tile or slate is missing, spilling from a blocked gutter, penetrating around window frames or leaking through a cracked pipe
- Rising damp due to a defective damp-course or because there is no damp-course
- Do not block permanent ventilators
- Do not completely block chimneys. Instead, leave a hole about two bricks in size and fit a louvred grille over it
- Do not draught proof rooms where there is condensation or mould
- Do not draught proof a room where there is a cooker or a fuel burning heater, for example, a gas fire
- Do not draught proof windows in the bathroom and kitchen
- Produce less moisture. Some ordinary daily activities produce a lot of moisture very quickly:
- Cover pans and do not leave kettles boiling
- Avoid using paraffin and portable, flueless bottled gas heaters as these heaters release a lot of moisture into the air
- Dry washing outdoors on a line or put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or fan on
- Vent any tumble dryer on the outside, unless it is the self-condensing type. DIY kits are available for this
- Ventilate to remove moisture. You can ventilate your home without making draughts:
- Keep a small window ajar or a trickle ventilator open when someone is in the room
- Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use by opening the windows wider
- Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when these rooms are in use, even if your kitchen or bathroom has an extractor fan as this will help prevent moisture reaching other rooms, especially bedrooms, which are often colder and more likely to get condensation
- Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes. Avoid putting too many things in them as this stops the air circulating. Cut a ventilation slot in the back of each shelf or use slatted shelves. Cut âbreatherâ holes in doors and in the back of wardrobes and leave space between the back of the wardrobe and the wall. Where possible, position wardrobes and furniture against internal walls
- Insulate, draught proof and heat your home insulation and draught proofing will help keep your home warm and will also cut fuel bills. When the whole home is warmer, condensation is less likely:
- In your loft, check that you have sufficient insulation. If you feel that the insulation is not sufficient then please contact us to arrange for an insulation survey
- Remember to draught proof the loft hatch but do not block the opening under the eaves
- In the winter, at night, make sure you close your curtains
- In very cold weather, keep low background heating on all day, even when there is no one at home
- Ensure that you know how to operate your heating effectively and ask us if you are unsure
- Do not use your gas or electric fire as the primary heat source in your home as you need to heat all rooms with your central heating system
- First, treat any mould you may already have in your home. If you then deal with the basic problem of condensation, mould should not reappear
- To kill and remove mould, wipe down walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash which carries a Health and Safety Executive âapproval numberâ. Follow the manufacturerâs instructions precisely. Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets. Disturbing mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning can increase the risk of respiratory problems
- After treatment, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould recurring. Note that this paint is not effective if overlaid with ordinary paints or wallpaper
We sort home repairs into five categories. These are:
Emergency repairs
These are repairs that, if left undone, would be a danger to residents or the public, or could cause damage to the property. These include gas leaks, hazardous electrical faults, and major water leaks. Sometimes, we may not be able to completely fix the problem, but we will always make it safe within 24 hours.
Urgent repairs
These tackle issues that can cause disruption in a home â they might affect your health, safety, or security, so repairs need to be done quickly and easily. Examples of this type of repair could be unsafe power or electrical fittings, part loss of electric power or gas supply, unsecured external door, or a blocked wash hand basin or bath.
Routine repairs
These are fairly routine repairs that, if left for a long period of time, could get worse and may cause further damage to the property or become a hazard. Examples include, loose wash hand basins or taps, faulty guttering, minor plumbing repairs or internal joinery works.
There are a variety of ways to access our service, making it easy to request a repair.
Our repairs contractor, Liberty Group, will complete the repair within agreed timescales.
Emergency repairs
Response within two hours, completed within 24 hours.
Urgent repairs
Attend and complete within 3 working days.
Routine repairs
Attend and complete within 20 working days.
We promise to complete repairs in the times set out above and where possible, we will try to complete the repair even sooner.
Damp can cause mould on walls, furniture and clothing. The presence of damp in your home encourages the growth of mould and mites and can increase the risk of respiratory illness.
Some damp is caused by condensation. This tab explains how condensation forms and how you can keep it to a minimum so the risk of dampness and mould is reduced.
Is it damp?
Damp can be caused by:
These causes of damp often leave a âtidemarkâ. If you think your home is damp, please contact us and request that we visit you to check if this is the case. If you do not think the damp comes from any of these above causes then it is probably condensation. In which case, there are some things you can do to help prevent this.
What is condensation?
There is always some moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it. If the air gets colder, it cannot hold all the moisture and tiny drops of water appear. This is condensation. You notice it when you see your breath on a cold day or when the mirror mists over when you have a bath.
Condensation occurs mainly during cold weather, whether it is raining or dry, and it does not leave a âtidemarkâ. It appears on cold surfaces and in places where there is little movement of air. Look for it in corners, on or near windows, in or behind wardrobes and cupboards. It often forms on north-facing walls. Useful help and advice:
How to avoid condensation
These steps will help you reduce condensation in your home:
First steps against mould
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Manage your property
To help you best manage your property, weâve included some helpful tips and information about your day-to-day life in your home in the tabs below. Check out each section to find out more about living in an apartment, what to do about fly tipping and anti-social behaviour, and how to resell or staircase shared ownership properties.
- Living in an apartment
- Defects
- Reselling or staircasing
- Anti-social behaviour
- Fly tipping
- Only letting people you know into the apartment block
- Keeping shared areas clear to prevent fire hazards
- Recycling and using rubbish chutes for domestic waste (if you have them)
- Making sure unwanted bulky items like fridges and sofas are safely removed
- Reporting repairs, vandalism, or graffiti
- Excessive shouting, banging or loud music, especially in the evening or at night
- Persistent dog barking
- Threatening behaviour
- Rowdy, aggressive, or threatening behaviour and language
- Intimidation, harassment, or threats towards others
- Domestic abuse
- Hate behaviour/racial harassment
- Illegal activities
- Criminal activity that affects the community, such as drug dealing
- Using a ForLiving property for illegal purposes such as handling stolen goods
- Environmental nuisance
- Litter, graffiti, or dumping of rubbish
- Problems caused by animals such as uncontrolled behaviour or fouling
- Abandoned cars and other vehicle nuisances
You can help us continue to provide a clean and safe environment by:
Your new build property will be covered by a defects period.
All defects and snags should be reported as soon as possible.
You must insure all defects are reported to the ForHousing service centre by calling 0300 123 5522 or emailing hello@forhousing.co.uk, in order to ensure all records and correspondence is logged.
All information can be located within your welcome pack.
Reselling shared ownership properties:
Thinking of selling your current shared ownership property?
Instruct an estate agent of your choice that is RICS registered. All costs will be covered by the current leaseholder.
The new purchasers will be processed via the shared ownership application process. Contact us to find out more about eligibility for shared ownership and steps to shared ownership.
The shared owners should be advised to consult with their mortgage lender regarding any additional borrowing.
ForHousing will instruct an independent qualified valuer (RICS) to provide a current market value of the property.
For further information on how to resell shared ownership properties please contact 0300 123 5522 or sales@for-living.com.
Staircasing shared ownership properties:
Buying additional shares is known as âstaircasingâ.
The purpose of shared ownership is to enable current owners to attain up to 100% ownership of a property. Following the initial first tranche sale, shared owners will usually be allowed to buy further shares up to 100% of a propertyâs market value.
Note: staircasing restrictions are in place for Extra Care Schemes, and Older Persons Shared Ownership to retain these property types in perpetuity.
All applications to purchase further shares must be made in writing.
The shared owners should be advised to consult with their mortgage lender regarding any additional borrowing.
ForHousing will instruct an independent qualified valuer (RICS) to provide a current market value of the property.
For further information on how to staircase please contact 0300 123 5522 or sales@for-living.com.
Anti-social behaviour can be anything âcapable of causing a nuisance or annoyanceâ. It includes serious acts of violence or harassment, and more âeverydayâ disturbances like noisy pets, loud music or gardens that are full of rubbish. Here are some examples:
If you would like to report any anti-social behaviour please use the contact form at the bottom of this page. Whatever is causing you concern, we will take the issues seriously and act quickly to help.
Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. If you have seen or are aware of any fly tipping at a ForHousing property please report it by using the contact form at the bottom of the page or by speaking to an advisor who will be happy to help.
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Compliments, suggestions and complaints
Your feedback helps shape the services we deliver to you. It is vital that you let us know how we are doing and what you need most from us. This is logged and shared internally in line with data protection rules â all feedback helps us improve how we do things and we will always work with you to put things right when we are at fault. If youâd like to share any feedback with us, please use the contact form at the bottom of the page or go to the âContact usâ page for more information on how to reach us.
Contact us
If you would like more information regarding our available properties to rent or have any questions relating to buying a home or shared ownership please get in touch:
Sales enquiry
sales@for-living.com
Letting enquiry
hello@for-living.com
Shared ownership enquiry
sales@for-living.com
Call us
0330 333 8382