You now have the keys to your property, which has been completed to our buildings and tenancy standards, and accepted by you. You and your family will be excited and keen to make it your home, but please take some time to read the website's information.
Your tenancy agreement
The tenancy agreement you have signed is a legal document. It sets out the conditions of your lease, your rights and responsibilities, and Veterans Housing Scotland's responsibilities as your landlord.
Moving into your Property
Your new home is unfurnished and ready for you to add your floor covering/carpeting, white goods, furniture and generally decorate to suit your taste. Please note, however, that if your property is an upper flat, you cannot install hard flooring. Information on carrying out specific home improvements or alterations is given under the section 'looking after your home'.
The following matters are your specific responsibility and should be actioned immediately on accessing the property:
- Please take note of the gas and electricity meter readings and pass them on to a relevant utility company. Please keep a copy of your readings (taking a photo of each of the meters is helpful).
- Inform the local authority of your occupation of the property for Council Tax and local services
- A qualified tradesperson must carry out any connections to the gas mains or electric circuit for appliances, and permission must be sought before any work commences. If you need advice, please call your Property Manager.
- It is not uncommon for minor snagging issues to become apparent once you move into your home. Please report them as soon as possible to the property management company responsible for ensuring the property is always repaired to the correct standard.
- Please take note of the routine and emergency numbers for repairs and keep them in a safe place.
Looking after your home
We want you to make a home for you and your family to enjoy. We take pride in preparing the property for occupation, and our property management companies and contractors we work with are committed to carrying out any repairs to a satisfactory standard. We know you will take all reasonable care to avoid damage to your home and any neighbouring properties. However, we understand accidents sometimes happen, so we ask that any repairs required or damage to the property be reported to the Repairs Maintenance Team responsible for your property immediately.
- You must seek approval from your property manager and Central Office if you want to make specific adaptations to your home beyond basic decoration. e.g. mobility, health or other reasons.
- You must obtain appropriate planning permission, building warrants and listed building consent where improvements have been authorised in advance and in writing by the Central Office.
- Typically, approval must be sought in advance for works including installing a shower, replacing or moving fixtures such as lights, kitchen units, doors, taps or electric sockets, erecting a shed, fence, satellite dishes* or other external structures and undertaking any internal or external alterations.
*Satellite dishes are permitted but cannot be installed on listed buildings. Veterans Housing Scotland will not be responsible for the cost of re-erecting any such aerial or dish, which has been removed to carry out repairs.
- When you move out of the property, accepting fair wear and tear conditions, you may be required to return it to its original state before any alterations unless approved by the Central Office.
- Unless otherwise agreed in writing by your property manager or Central Office, you cannot make any alterations or additions to the gas or electrics.
- You may be charged for any repair required if you, your family or visitors cause damage to our property.
- You may be charged for an emergency call-out if the repair in question could have been carried out within normal working hours.
Insuring your home
Veterans Housing Scotland will insure the fabric and fittings of your property. However, we are not responsible for insuring any of your personal belongings, so you must arrange insurance coverage for these items.
Our policy is to encourage our tenants to insure their home contents and regularly check to be sure the sum insured covers their possessions' total replacement value. You are advised to select a policy that covers you for damage to the landlord's fittings.
