Accommodation checks - Homes for Ukraine
An in-person visit is needed to make sure the prospective property is safe and is free from serious hazards.
You will be contacted in due course by an officer from our Housing Standards team, who will make an appointment to visit you.
In all circumstances, the officer will identify themselves with official photographic identification.
If someone tests positive for COVID or is testing positive on the day of any visits, please notify the attending officer by phone and email.
Day of the inspection
Access will be required to all parts of the property. However, the focus of the inspection will be on common parts of the property and the rooms for use by the refugees. These include:
- bathrooms
- kitchen
- living rooms
- bedrooms.
The inspection will not be any more intrusive than necessary and should not involve the officer looking in cupboards or other personal areas.
If it's necessary to do so, the officer will provide a clear explanation as to why it is needed and will record it on their inspection form.
Visit overview
Fire safety
Smoke alarms are required on each level or storey of the property. The officer will test the alarms to ensure that they are working.
If the property is over two storeys or has a loft or basement conversion which is to be used to accommodate refugees, please tell us before your inspection.
Fire safety guidance can be found on the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service website.
Gas safety
Gas appliances, fittings and flues must be safe and the scheme requires that you have undertaken a gas safety check within the last year.
Carbon monoxide
A carbon monoxide detector will be needed if you have an open flue appliance such as log burner, open fire, or similar type of appliance. The officer will want to see the detector.
Low windows (risk of falls between levels above ground floor height)
This mostly relates to the protection of small children.
In some properties, windows with openers (casements or sashes) are unguarded and can pose a risk to children.
Most low windows are provided with restrictor stays or similar safety device. If a restrictor stay is needed, the officer will advise you and help resolve the problem. Alterations to windows are rare but easily resolved in most cases.
Electrical safety
An electrical test certificate will not be required for the property survey unless a significant safety issue is found.
The officer will want to look at some power points in the bedrooms and other common areas to ensure that they are not broken. The officer may want to take a photograph of the property fuse box or consumer unit.
Room sizes
The officer may measure a room which is to be used as a bedroom.
As a general guide:
- a room between 6.5 metres squared and 8.36 metres squared is suitable for one adult
- a room over 10.22 metres squared is suitable for two adults.
The officer will want to check that the room has a suitable source of heating, light and ventilation.
Bathroom and kitchen
The officer will want to make sure the property has a bathroom and kitchen which is in good order and sufficient to meet the needs of the household.
This is a very basic level of amenity and is unlikely to require any additional facilities.
The officer will discuss with you any improvements considered necessary.
Animals
You must tell us before the inspection if you have any licensable animals within the premises.
The officer may ask you about any animals in the property, especially matters relating to their behaviour, safe control and containment.
Contact us
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions:
- call 01332 640000 Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm
- Deaf people can text 07774 333412.