Improving the Moving In Experience
In April, a Tenant Overview group met up to discuss what it’s like moving into a Seaside property. We identified changes that would make the experience run more smoothly. A member of the Council’s Temporary Accommodation Team attended the meeting and we put together an Action Plan.
Through this piece of work we achieved some positive change:
- Viewings are now taking place earlier in the week and tenants are given the keys there and then – this gives people more time to move their belongings and set up utilities before their move in date.
- Housing Officers are now emailing new tenants an offer letter and a copy of the tenancy agreement along with confirmation of the viewing. This gives people plenty of time to read through all the documents before signing them.
- A Moving In Checklist will follow the tenant through the process, containing details of rent, any service charge, utility provider and meter readings, water stopcock, bins and fire safety arrangements. This will be completed by the Housing Officer at the viewing and reviewed by the Visiting Officer who returns a few weeks after the move in date.
The Council’s Temporary Accommodation Team are currently drafting the Move In Checklist as part of a review of their policies and procedures. This is be shared with the Tenant Panel when it’s ready.
