Who is responsible?What are my responsibilities as a Tenant?

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Caring for Bournville Properties – A Partnership

The care of Bournville Village Trust properties is the joint responsibility of Trust and Tenant.

Once you have read this leaflet, you should have a clearer idea of your responsibilities as a tenant and those of the Trust as your landlord.

…Concerning my new tenancyFrom May 2010 all new tenancies issued by the Trust were “Assured Shorthold Starter Tenancies”. Providing that new tenants keep to their tenancy conditions which include looking after the home, maintaining rent payments and not causing a nuisance to neighbours the tenancy will convert to a “Non – Shorthold Assured” tenancy after 12 months.

Who is responsible?What are my responsibilities as a Tenant?

As a “Starter Tenant” you will not have the same rights as other tenants. In summary, you cannot:

• Take in lodgers• Make improvements• Exchange your home with

another tenant or transfer to another landlord

If you do breach your tenancy agreement, as a “Starter Tenant” you can be evicted much more quickly and more easily than other tenants.

Any breaches to starter tenancies are taken very seriously. If the Trust takes court action you would lose your home as the courts must give us possession in all cases. However please be assured we will only take court action in serious cases or where tenants have not responded to us.

What are my responsibilities as a Tenant?

….Regarding repairs and maintenance of my homeThough the Trust is responsible for most repairs, you may be responsible for minor repairs/maintenance to your home such as changing plugs, filling small plaster cracks or the maintenance of TV aerials (except communal aerials).

The Trust is not responsible for damage caused as a result of neglect or violation of your tenancy agreement. You will be charged for any repairs required in these circumstances.

You are also responsible for keeping the interior and exterior of your home in a reasonable and clean condition and to decorate all internal parts of your home as frequently as is necessary to keep them in reasonable decorative order.

In some circumstances you may be eligible for assistance with internal decoration due to the property type, or your being elderly and/or disabled. Please telephone us on 0300 333 6540 for details.

The Trust takes damage to properties very seriously and will consider taking legal action against the parties involved if it becomes necessary. If you continue to misuse your property, you could risk losing your home.

…As to alterations and installations to my homeIt is essential that you consult your BVT Office before altering your property or installing new fixtures and fittings. Your landlord’s permission is required even if the alterations meet the specifications set by the BVT Design Guide. All alterations on the Bournville Estate are subject to approval from the Trust’s Estates Department who will provide you with a copy of the “BVT Design Guide” on request.

...Compensation for improvementsYou have the right to claim for compensation for any improvements you carry out to your home at your own expense. You will receive this compensation at the end of your tenancy and is subject to the following conditions:

• Only improvements carried out since 1 January 1995 and which have been approved by the Trust qualify for compensation.

• The Trust will produce a list of qualifying improvements.

• You need to make a written application for compensation.

• Compensation will be calculated by dividing the total cost to you (including VAT) by the notional life of the improvement and multiplying by the number of complete years remaining of the notional life.

• Any compensation due will be paid directly after the end of the tenancy. If the rent account is in arrears, or if there are any unpaid debts, the amount will be credited to these accounts. The remaining amount will be paid to you.

Typical improvements considered for compensation, along with their notional lives are:

• Bath, shower, wash basin or toilet. 12 years

• Kitchen sink, storage cupboards in bathroom or kitchen, work surfaces for food preparations.

10 years

• Space or water heating. 12 years

• Thermostatic radiator valves. 7 years

• Insulation of pipes, water tank or cylinder. 10 years

• Loft and cavity wall insulation. 20 years

• Draught proofing of external doors or windows.

8 years

• Double glazing or other external window replacement/secondary glazing.

20 years

• Rewiring or provision of power, lighting or other electrical fittings.

15 years

• Any object improving security of the home (excluding burglar alarms).

10 years

…Regarding insurance of my homeThough the structure of your property is insured by the Trust, the contents are not and it is your responsibility to take care of this.

Details of a home contents insurance scheme are available to tenants and are competitively priced with simple payment options. If you arrange your own contents insurance, check that it covers the cost of damage accidentally caused by you, your family or a visitor to your home.

…Relating to Council TaxYou are responsible for paying council tax directly to the Council and you should inform them of any change to your tenancy, especially if you change address.

Under certain circumstances, you may be entitled to a tax benefit, for example if your home has been adapted to meet a disability or if you are the sole resident. Contact your local authority for further details.

…Concerning private businessesAs your property is let to you as a private dwelling, you are not allowed to run any kind of business from your home.

…Relating to lodgersYou do have the right to house a lodger, but it is your responsibility to obtain the approval of the Trust before they move in. Please note that if you are receiving Housing Benefit, you must also inform the Benefit Service.

Remember: If you are an assured tenant, you have agreed not to sublet any part of your home.

…For my gardenYou are wholly responsible for the maintenance of your garden. The Trust expects you to follow these guidelines:

• Keep gardens clean and tidy and never erect or remove hedges, walls or fences without the Trust’s consent.

• Do not allow hedges to grow over 2 metres at the rear or 1 metre at the front of your property and don’t let trees grow to a height which reduces the amount of light available to your neighbours.

• Don’t plant trees close to boundaries, drains or your property, and never attempt to remove trees without consulting the Trust.

• Don’t erect sheds without first obtaining approval from the Trust.

• Consider your neighbours when lighting a fire. If you are being disturbed by the smoke or smell from a fire, contact the Environmental Health Department who will be able to advise you on the best course of action to take. Please note some areas of Bournville Village Trust are considered “smokeless zones”and the lighting of fires is not allowed. The Environmental Health Department can advise you if you live in a “smokeless zone”.

We consider your responsibility for maintaining your garden to be a high priority and regularly carry out estate inspections which will identify untidy gardens. If you breach these tenancy conditions, you may risk losing your home.

In Birmingham, the Trust operates a Garden Equipment Hire Scheme so that tenants may borrow essential items of garden equipment. Contact us on 0300 333 6540 for an information leaflet giving you further details of the scheme.

Communal garden areas are maintained by the Trust. They improve the appearance of BVT estates and should be respected so they can be enjoyed by all residents alike.

The Trust also has a number of allotments available on the estate. If you are interested in renting an allotment, please contact us on 0300 333 6540.

…Regarding rubbish collectionCollection of weekly rubbish is the responsibility of the local Environmental Services Department. However, if you need to dispose of larger items such as furniture, you must contact the department who may be able to arrange a special collection. Contact numbers are located in the Useful Information booklet.

Do not put rubbish bags out before collection day.

The Trust provides and maintains a number of tree belts and spinneys on the Estate which back on to the rear gardens of some properties. Tipping of household waste and rubbish is not permitted here.

…As to my car and/or caravanIt is your responsibility to ensure your car is parked in an appropriate place. You are NOT allowed to park:

• on a grass verge or a footpath.

• obstructing an emergency access route or right of way.

• in a garden – except on hard-standings or driveways.

• on Trust land without permission.

Where it is not possible to park in a driveway or garage, you will find that kerb side parking on the estate is usually restricted to one side of the road. This is done on a voluntary basis in order to maintain the flow of traffic and to make the roads safer to all users.

Caravans and boats should be parked within the guidelines set by the Design Guide.

The Trust has a number of garages to rent across the estate. For further information, contact us on 0300 333 6540.

…Concerning petsYou are not allowed to keep pets in homes with communal access areas. If you have your own garden, it is up to you to ensure your pet doesn’t create any mess or noise that will disturb your neighbours.

It is your responsibility to ensure the garden is secure and that pets cannot escape through gaps in hedges/fences.

If you fail to keep your pet under control, you could be at risk of losing your home.

…Regarding my neighboursEveryone has the right to live peacefully in their own homes. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone, whether they are living with you or just visiting, treats your home and your neighbours with respect. If every tenant follows these guidelines, conflict will be kept to a minimum:

• Keep the volume of stereos and televisions at an acceptable level and position these appliances away from walls adjoining two properties.

• Repairs to cars and other vehicles should be rare, but if essential, should be carried out during daytime hours when it is least likely to disturb your neighbours. The same applies to DIY activities.

If you are being troubled by nuisance neighbours, there are a number of steps you can take to resolve the matter:

1STEP

Try to talk to them. They may not know they are disturbing you and it is best to work out the problem amicably.

2STEPIf this doesn’t work, contact the dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour team. BVT takes the problem of nuisance neighbours very seriously and will do everything it can to resolve the situation at this stage.

3STEP

If the neighbour is still causing a disturbance, the Trust may consider taking legal action against them, which can result in their eviction. It is a good idea to keep a written account of all the incidents over a period of time as you may be asked to give evidence in court.

We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, bullying or anti-social behaviour against individuals or groups and we have strict procedures for dealing with such incidents. All serious cases are dealt with within 48 hours and with sensitivity and respect for all parties involved.

…Relating to letting our homesAfter making your application for accommodation, you can expect written notification from the Trust within 14 days stating whether it has been provisionally accepted or refused.

Once you have been accepted, the Trust will contact you at least every six months to review and confirm your application details.

Who is responsible?What are the Trust’s responsibilities?

Any significant changes to your original application will be recorded and you will be notified if there is any change to your application within 14 days.

You will be offered an opportunity to view your prospective home with a member of Trust staff before a final decision is made. A copy of the tenancy agreement will be sent to you before you move into the property to give you time to consider all the terms and conditions.

A post tenancy visit by the Assistant Housing Officer will take place within 28 days of moving into your new home in order to discuss any problems that may have arisen since the tenancy began and anything you might need help with.

We offer a range of other services including Community Fund assistance which may be discussed with you if applicable.

There are a variety of leaflets about the service we provide available at 350 Bournville Lane, Bournville, Birmingham and Cherry Tree House, 1 Lightmoor Way, Lightmoor Village, Telford.

What are the Trust’s responsibilities?

…And in ShropshireIn Shropshire, all our homes are let through the choice based lettings scheme: Choose Your Home.

Choose Your Home is a free and easy-to-access service. Choose Your Home shows customers on a weekly basis all the homes that are available for rent. It allows customers who have joined the scheme to choose up to three homes per week that they would like to be considered for.

This doesn’t mean that if you see a home you will automatically get it, but it will mean that you get to choose homes you would like to be considered for, rather than choose one for you.

How do I apply?There are three ways that you can join Choose Your Home:

• By logging onto www.chooseyourhome.org.uk clicking on the ‘join’ button and following the instructions.

• By contacting the Choose Your Home team by telephone on 01952 217 101 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

• By contacting BVT, Cherry Tree House, 1 Lightmoor Way, Lightmoor Village, Telford TF4 3TX.

You will be given an opportunity to view your prospective home with a member of Trust staff before a final decision is made. A copy of the tenancy agreement will be sent to you before you move into the property to give you time to consider all the terms and conditions.

A post tenancy visit by the Assistant Housing Officer will take place within 28 days of moving into your new home in order to discuss any problems that may have arisen since the tenancy began, and anything you might need help with.

…When communicating with meYou will receive an acknowledgement of any letter within five working days and a full written reply within 14 working days. If this is not possible, you will be notified as to the reason for the delay.

You can expect telephone calls to be answered promptly with staff identifying themselves by name. If there is no one available to deal with your call, you will be called back as soon as possible.

Anyone visiting our offices of the Trust will not be kept waiting for more than 10 minutes. If the person you wish to speak to is unavailable, a further appointment will be arranged within the next seven days either at the office or your home.

If you request a home visit, you can expect to be offered an appointment at a mutually convenient time within seven days.

…As to repairs and maintenance to my homeThe Trust is responsible for most repairs to Bournville Village Trust properties. Please refer to the “Maintaining Your Home” brochure for further information.

To ensure that emergency repairs such as gas leaks, electricity power cuts or leaking water pipes, get treated as quickly as possible, the Trust operates an out-of-hours emergency service. You can reach this service on 0300 333 6540.

Remember: this is an emergency service only and if you misuse it, you will be charged accordingly.

All work will be carried out to the best of our ability and with the least disturbance possible.

If an appointment cannot be kept, you will be given at least 24 hours notice.

…When making decisions that influence meWe believe that you as a tenant should be informed of any significant changes to the Trust, including management decisions, and you have every right to express your own opinions about such matters.

You can expect to be consulted either individually or as a group if there are any changes which might affect you. A consultation period of at least 28 days will take place.

The Trust also offers you opportunities to make your views heard at Tenant Association meetings. These group meetings are given encouragement and support from the Trust and are supplied with grants to enable them to operate. To find out more about how the Trust involve you, read the “Getting Involved with BVT” leaflet.

…In issues of equal opportunityThe Trust is committed to ensuring that all tenants are dealt with equally and no one is given better or worse treatment because of their age, disability, ethnic or national origin, race or colour, gender, HIV status, marital status, religious or political beliefs and sexual orientation. This is in accordance with our Equality and Diversity Policy.

Trust staff are all trained in implementing the Equality and Diversity Policy. We carry out annual reviews of our services to make sure everyone is being treated fairly and encourage those living on BVT estates to voice their opinions through Tenant and Resident associations and be part of the Trust’s decision making process.

If you would like to find out more about our Equality and Diversity Policy, your Area Office will be able to provide you with a leaflet and answer any questions that you may have.

…When I put forward a complaint or appealIf you approach the Trust with any complaints, no matter how serious, they will be dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible. If you want to find out more, including how to put forward a complaint of your own, consult the “You say, we listen” leaflet.

Any complaint regarding harassment will be investigated immediately and the victim interviewed within 48 hours after the claim is received. The procedure for dealing with harassment complaints is detailed in the Harassment Policy and all proven cases will be reported to the Housing Services Committee.

The Trust aims to support the victims and take whatever actions are necessary to make sure your right to live in peace in your own home is protected.

…Regarding confidentiality and monitoring their own performanceYou can expect any information you give to the Trust to be treated with the utmost privacy. The Trust accepts its obligations under Human Rights and Data Protection legislation and will not knowingly breach confidentiality. The only time we will release this information will be when we have a legal obligation to do so or when you have given your consent.

We make sure that all aspects of our performance are constantly monitored so that we can provide you with the most professional and efficient service possible.

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On request, we can supply an audio CD giving all the information contained in this leaflet.

For general advice and further information contact:

BVT BIRMINGHAMTELEPHONE

0300 333 6540

BVT SHROPSHIRETELEPHONE

01952 293 777

www.bvt.org.uk

How to contact us

Bournville Village Trust, 350 Bournville Lane, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1QYemail: enquiries@bvt.org.uk

bvt.org.uk openview.bvt.org.uk /bournville.village.trust @bvtnews /bvthousing