We’ll see you in six weeks
Your housing officer will be in touch within six weeks to ensure you’re settling in ok. This will also give you a chance to raise any problems or concerns, but please get in touch if you need anything before then.
If you have any questions, would like to request repairs, make a payment, or discuss tenancy issues, please get in touch.
We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Helpful moving in info
We hope these checklists below help make your move as smooth as possible.
The 'essentials' list
Once you’ve signed your tenancy agreement, you must pay your rent when it’s due.
Rent is due every Monday or, if paid monthly, every month in advance.
If you’re entitled to Housing Benefit or the Housing element of Universal Credit, it’s your responsibility to apply for it, and to cover any rent payments until you've received your claim.
Before you move
- Contact the energy supplier(s) for your old address (if you have one) to close your account or transfer it to your new address.
- This is especially important if you have a fixed-term deal at your old address, as they may charge exit fees.
- Some suppliers allow you to start this process 28 days before moving, but you must do it at least 48 hours' before moving.
- Take a meter reading on the last day at your old home and keep a record of it. We suggest you also take a photo of your meters.
- Provide your new address to your current supplier so they can send your final bill, any refunds, or to manage the transfer of your current deal.
Moving day
- Take the meter readings at your new address. We suggest you also take a photo of your meters.
- Without a pre-arranged tariff transfer, you'll be on a 'deemed' contract (a temporary, standard rate when you don’t have a formal contract with the supplier) until you confirm your new rate.
- Contact the energy company that supplies your new home to inform them you’ve moved in and give your meter readings.
Not sure who your gas or electricity supplier is?
- For electricity: search your postcode on National Grid or call on 0345 6015972
- For gas: search your postcode on Find my supplier or call on 0870 6081524
Landlord’s safety check – important
It’s a legal requirement that there is a Landlords Safety Check carried out on the association’s gas appliances as soon as you move into your new home.
Before a safety check can be carried out in your home, you must have your gas supply and electricity supply connected.
If gas is supplied to your home:
- you will need to give a new meter reading to your chosen supplier.
- Once gas is running at your new home you must contact our Customer Care Team to arrange for us to carry out a safety check and connect the gas. You can contact us on 0300 1234 009.
Before you move
- You need to let your water company know when you're planning to move, and also where you’re moving to. Check your water company's website to find out how to do this.
- If you have a water meter, give your water company at least 5 working days’ notice so they can arrange a final meter reading. If you don’t give them enough notice you could be charged for water that's used after you move out.
When you've moved
- If you've moved to an area with a different water company, let them know - check their website to find out how to do this. You can check which water company supplies your area on the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) website.
- If you're staying with the same water company, you need to let them know your new address.
- If your new home has a water meter, take a reading as soon as you move in and check this is correct on your first bill.
Your water supplier will most likely be:
Anglian Water: 03457 91 91 55, or
Severn Trent Water: 08457 500 500
It's your responsibility to organise your own home contents insurance – we recommend you arrange this as soon as possible.
You don’t need to worry about buildings insurance – as your landlord, we’re responsible for the buildings insurance for your home (this covers damage to the structure of your home).
The 'get sorted as soon as you can' list
Register your address with the council so you can:
- vote
- pay council tax
- claim council tax benefit if you’re eligible.
Ask Royal Mail to have your mail sent on from your previous address.
You can do this online at www.royalmail.com/redirection, or pick up a form from the post office.
If you receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you should be eligible for a lower redirection price. You find out more on the Royal Mail website above.
Find out when your rubbish will be collected
Find out from the local council when your rubbish is collected, and what the recycling arrangements are.
Have some spare keys cut
We don’t keep spare keys, so leave some with friends or family for emergencies. If you lock yourself out, you’ll have to pay for calling out a locksmith, which is expensive.
Television aerials, satellite dishes and cable television
Before installing a TV aerial, satellite dish or cable box, you must get written permission from us. If you do not have our permission, or you don’t stick to the approved installation, you may be asked to remove the equipment, which you will have to pay for.
You can request permission to install a TV aerial, satellite dish or cable box on our website.
Register on our portal: MyHomeOnline
Our online portal – MyHomeOnline – is the quickest way to report repairs, make payments and view your rent account.
Your contact details
If you install a landline, please let us know your phone number.
And, if you haven’t already, please let us know your email. This helps us get relevant information to you, such as our newsletters, as efficiently as possible.