Tenancy Management Policy May 2024

The Council has a number of duties in respect of property maintenance and compliance. It is important that tenants are safe in their home and the Council is committed to ensuring its properties are safe and compliant. Tenants have a duty to provide access to the Council, its staff, agents and contractors in order to carry out its functions as a landlord. Tenants must allow Council employees, their contractors, agents or other statutory bodies to enter the property (at reasonable hours) if they have been given reasonable written notice (usually 24 hours). Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Carrying out maintenance, repairs or other works.
• Carrying out gas safety checks or electrical safety check.
• Inspecting the condition of the property.

Tenants must make sure the property is safe for anyone accessing it for any lawful reason, including gaining access to roofs and loft spaces. Animals must be kept under control at all times when visited by the Council's employees, contractors or agents. An adult (aged 18 and over) must be present for the appointment.

If reasonable access is refused, the Council may take action in the county court to force a tenant to provide access, or allow the Council to enter the property to carry out the necessary works. In an emergency, the Council is permitted to force access without notice being given. An emergency includes (but is not limited to) situations where:

• There is an imminent risk of physical harm to any person, or
• There is significant damage to the property, or
• The property is unoccupied and inadequately secured against unauthorised entry or vandalism.

Where an emergency has led to forced access, the Council will make good any damage caused when entering the property. The Council will secure the property against unauthorised entry.

However, the tenant may be liable for any costs incurred when access has been unreasonably refused or if the emergency is caused from the tenant's neglect of the property.