TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION TO OWNER S HANDBOOK 1.1 HOUSING ASSOCIATION CONTACT DETAILS 1.2 EMERGENCY CALL OUTS 2.0 DEFECTS & REPAIRS 3.0 MOVING IN 3.1 CARPETS AND FLOOR COVERINGS 3.2 FIXINGS TO WALLS 3.3 ALTERATIONS 3.4 KITCHEN FITMENTS 3.5 TELEPHONE & TELEVISION 4.0 SERVICES 4.1 GAS 4.2 WATER 4.3 ELECTRICITY 4.4 SHOWERS 5.0 SECURITY & SAFETY 5.1 DOORS 5.2 LOCKS 5.3 SMOKE ALARMS, CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS AND HEAT DETECTORS 6.0 WINDOWS 6.1 DESCRIPTION 6.2 OPERATION 7.0 VENTILATION 7.1 POSITIVE INPUT VENTILATION
8.0 HEATING & HOT WATER 8.1 GAS CENTRAL HEATING 8.2 PROGRAMMER 8.3 RADIATORS 8.4 GAS & ELECTRICITY SHIPPERS 9.0 HEATING & VENTILATION 9.1 HEATING 9.2 VENTILATION 10.0 GARDENS 10.1 GRASSED TURF AREAS 10.2 CONCRETE SLAB PATHS, DRIVEWAYS AND VISITOR PARKING 11.0 REFUSE COLLECTION & STORAGE 11.1 WHEELED BINS COLLECTION SYSTEM 11.2 LARGE OR BULKY REFUSE 12.0 APPENDIX A FLOOR PLAN
1.0 INTRODUCTION TO OWNER S HANDBOOK would like to welcome you to your new home. This handbook provides you with a detailed guide to all the fixtures and fittings in your house. It provides details of what you should and should not do to the fabric of the building, your responsibilities and what to do if things go wrong. It also provides guidance on reporting a defect (Section 2). Many repairs that are required in the first 12 months after you move in to your property are classified as defects. Defects are the responsibility of the Contractor who built your new home and it is important that they are accurately reported and recorded. To report defects please call 01506 835217 and we will arrange for the contractor to attend to the problem. If you need to report a major defect outwith our office hours please call 0800 783 7937 Please take time to read this handbook, as you will find that it will help you to manage your home efficiently and cost effectively. It may also reduce call outs to contractors as often in new properties a large number of call outs are for instructions on how to operate equipment. Thank you for your assistance. Please retain this handbook in a safe and convenient place for future reference.
1.1 HOUSING ASSOCIATION CONTACT DETAILS Ltd can be contacted on the following: Shiel House, Shiel Walk, Craigshill, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 5EH To report defects: During Office Hours please call: 01506 835217 Office Hours: Monday 09:00 17:00 Tuesday 09:00 17:00 Wednesday 09:00 16:00 Thursday 09:00 17:00 Friday 10:00 15:30 Out of Office Hours please call: 0800 783 7937
1.2 EMERGENCY CALL OUTS IF YOU CALL THE CONTRACTOR OUT FOR A REPAIR, WHICH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGENCY, YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE CALL OUT. Examples of emergencies are: - Plumbing Gas Escapes Burst or excessively leaking water pipes, boilers or valves Any other internal fitting that is leaking excessively Frozen pipes Blocked drains Faulty stopcocks Replacement of severely damaged WC or other sanitary ware No water Complete failure of heating No hot water throughout Taps running full bore Blocked drains or WC (where only one WC) Central heating supply fault Overflows in winter Electrical Power failure if not caused by resident's appliance Faulty consumer unit Faulty lighting circuit Electric circuit or fitting affected by water Faulty cooker control unit Overheating socket Other Fire Subsidence Roof leaks Faulty glazing/locks Unsafe flooring
2.0 DEFECTS AND REPAIRS At the end of the 12 months we will arrange for your house to be inspected and arrange for the Contractor to carry out any outstanding defects work noted at that time. Major defects such as water leaks, heating system failures and lock failures must be reported immediately. See also the section headed Services in this manual. Minor shrinkage hairline cracks may appear in plasterwork or internal woodwork. These are not normally treated as defects and may be attended to by the tenant i.e. by redecorating. Larger cracks should be reported to us as for other defects. You should not wallpaper the property during the first year or before remedial works have been completed as there is always the possibility of movement and cracking in new construction. Any decoration carried out will not be reinstated by the Contractor if repairs require to be carried out, as the Contractor is only obliged to return finishes to the condition the house was in at the time of handover to the Housing Association. Please do not paint over any elements on the outside of your building such as window frames, doors, external cladding and any timber fencing you may have. The paint systems are designed only to be over coated by specific painting and staining products.
3.0 MOVING IN 3.1 CARPETS AND FLOOR COVERINGS TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO UNDER FLOOR PIPES MAKE SURE THAT NAILS, TACKS AND STAPLES USED FOR CARPET FIXING ARE NO MORE THAN 13mm LONG. 3.2 FIXINGS TO WALLS Heavy loads, such as shelving, should only be fixed to internal partitions and be supported only by fixing into the timber upright studs with woodscrews. The studs can generally be located by lightly tapping the surface of the plasterboard across the wall until the hollow sound becomes more solid. Check that you are fixing into the timber stud. Light loads, such as small pictures, can be hung on proprietary plasterboard fixings, which are readily available from ironmongers or DIY stores. Do not put fixings immediately above or below light switches or power outlet points, or cut into walls at these locations, as the electrical supply cables are located within the walls in these areas. 3.3 ALTERATIONS Please note that no alterations should be made to the property without prior permission from the Association and some alterations are not allowed during the first year. Applications for permission should be made using the appropriate form.
3.4 KITCHEN FITMENTS Power sockets with remote switches are fitted below worktop level in the spaces for washing machine and fridge, with labelled switches above the worktops to allow the appliances to be switched off for defrosting, servicing etc. without having to be moved. Washing Machines: Hot and cold water connections and a waste connection are provided under the kitchen sink for an automatic washing machine. To connect your washing machine, put the hose through the opening provided in the base unit and connect to the hot and cold water supply, ensuring washers are fitted. Connect the washing machine waste pipe to the sink trap using a mechanical fixing clip. Ensure that there are no leaks from any of the connections when the washing machine is in use. If you do not have an automatic washing machine, do not interfere with the connections or remove the blanking caps. Tumble Dryer: Where a tumble dryer space is provided, only use a condensing tumble dryer which does not need an external vent. Cooker: The cooker space in your kitchen is provided with both a gas supply and an electric cooker point. An electric cooker can be connected to the spur outlet point provided at low level on the rear wall of the cooker space and is wired to an individual Micro-Circuit Breaker (MCB) at the Consumer Unit. A gas cooker can be connected to the capped gas supply pipe at the rear of the cooker space by a qualified Gas Safe registered gas appliance installer. 3.5 TELEPHONE & TELEVISION Telephone and television sockets are provided in the living room and one bedroom. A cable has been installed from the television sockets to the attic or to a box at the eaves. You will need to provide a TV aerial and connect it to the cable in the attic or at the eaves box.
4.0 SERVICES 4.1 GAS 4.1.1 Supply: The gas meter is located in the semi-concealed box near the front entrance outside the house. The gas meter should not be disturbed except for meter reading purposes. The main gas stopcock is located beside the gas meter. To turn the gas supply OFF, turn the lever so that it is at right angles to the pipe. 4.1.2 Gas Leaks: If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak use the stopcock to turn the supply off immediately and contact Transco. Transco Emergency Number (24 hours) call free: 0800 111 999 4.2 WATER 4.2.1 Main Stopcock: The water supply can be turned off from within the house using the stopcock located in the cupboard below the kitchen sink. On entry to the house, ensure that you know where the main stopcock is located and keep access to it clear. Please note that in upper flats the stopcock is located in the downstairs hall behind an access panel adjacent the front door. 4.2.2 Serious Leaks: In the case of a serious water leak turn off the supply using the internal stopcock and contact the Housing Association immediately. If you suspect a leak in an unoccupied house, the Housing Association should be contacted. 4.2.3 Minor Leaks: In the case of minor leaks, collect the drops in a basin or bucket and report the problem to the Housing Association the next working day. Do not delay or damage to the building fabric and finishes will result.
4.3 ELECTRICITY 4.3.1 Consumer Unit and Micro-Circuit Breakers: The electricity meter, main switches Consumer Unit and with Micro-Circuit Breakers (MCB s) are usually located in a store off the hall. You must ensure that you know where they are and how to operate them as soon as possible after entry. 4.3.2 Switching Off: The electricity supply to your house can be switched off by setting the large power switch to the left hand side of the Consumer Unit to the OFF position. 4.3.3 MCB s: Beside the main power switch on the Consumer Unit are the Micro-Circuit Breakers. These act like fuses and will automatically switch off a circuit if it becomes overloaded. Each MCB controls a separate circuit and can be used to isolate a circuit whilst leaving others switched on. Each circuit should be labeled above or below each MCB. If in doubt about which switches control which circuits use the main power switch to disconnect all circuits. 4.3.4 Fault Finding: In the event of an electrical fault the MCB for the circuit concerned will automatically switch to the OFF position. If this happens the following procedure should be followed: 1. Check the main switch and reset the individual MCB switches as necessary to ON position. 2. If the electrical supply is cut off again, or the switch will not stay in the ON position, turn off all appliances on the affected circuit which were in operation at the time and switch them back on one by one until you identify which appliance is causing the fault. 3. If the supply continues to be cut off, try that appliance in a socket on another circuit. If the supply is cut off again it is likely that the appliance is faulty and requires repair, or the circuit may have overloaded. If the circuit is overloaded, disconnect one or more of the appliances connected to that circuit. If, after checking, there is not a faulty appliance or an overload, and the MCB continues to switch off, the house electrical circuit may be at fault and should be reported to the Housing Association for repair by a qualified electrician. The most common cause of the supply being cut is blown light bulbs. Once reset at the main switchboard the system should function without further problems.
4.4 SHOWERS Your property has been fitted with an electric thermostatic shower over the bath.
5.0 SECURITY AND SAFETY 5.1 DOORS The front doors to the flats are timber glazed doors. The front doors are fitted with three point locking systems for added security. To lock Lift the handle to engage the security bolts. Turn key to lock the bolts and door securely To Unlock Turn the key to unlock security bolts Pull down handle to retract security bolts and latch to the open door Timber patio doors are provided to houses and lower flats. 5.2 LOCKS All front doors to dwellings have a three point locking system operated by a key or key/knob euro cylinder. Once closed this system offers a high degree of security due to the centrally located deadbolt with hook tongues entering the frame, at the top and bottom of the door. 5.3 SMOKE ALARMS, CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS AND HEAT DETECTORS All dwellings are provided with Smoke alarms in the Halls and a Heat Detector and Carbon Monoxide alarms in the Kitchen. These are wired directly to the mains. These smoke alarm detectors are each fitted with a battery backup system, which should power the unit for a short time if the mains power in the house fails. On no account should you remove these batteries. Do not cover the alarms or paint them, as this will make them ineffective.
6.0 WINDOWS 6.1 DESCRIPTION The windows are fully reversible, designed to allow for safe cleaning of both sides of the glass from within the house. The window hinges outwards, as shown here, and does not enter the living space. Curtains and blinds are therefore not disturbed. 6.2 OPERATION To open the window, turn the handle 90 degrees (quarter-turn). Then push the sash outward with the handle(s) to the position desired. Child Safety Position: The window is open to a maximum of 100mm. To open further, press the restrictor button located on the right hand side of the window, releasing the sash and allowing the window to turn through 180 degrees. Cleaning Position: The window is reversed for cleaning. As above then open sash out horizontally and pull down the top of the sash until the restrictor catches in the cleaning position. To release press the restrictor button located on the right hand side of the window. Locking: The windows can be locked with a key unless they are escape windows.
7.0 VENTILATION 7.1 Positive Input Ventilation All flats are ventilated with a positive input ventilation system. Fresh air is taken from outside and distributed in the hall, pushing stale air out. The unit is usually located in the loft space in upper flats and in a cupboard in lower flats. It runs continuously very quietly and with extremely low power consumption. Do not attempt to turn off. It requires very little maintenance, details of which are included in the pack you will have received with this Handbook..
8.0 HEATING AND HOT WATER 8.1 GAS CENTRAL HEATING Your home has Gas Central Heating and Hot Water System comprising of a sealed combination gas boiler with a seven day programmer (located in the kitchen), a thermostat in the hall that controls the overall temperature of the house, and radiators in each room, each fitted with a Thermostatic Control Valve to control it individually. There is no hot water storage cylinder tank within your house. Water is only heated as and when you turn on your hot water taps for greater efficiency. Try to avoid running more than one hot water tap at the same time, as the water flow will be reduced. When running a bath you may find it takes a little longer than you previously experienced. 8.2 PROGRAMMER The Heating System Programmer can be set to automatically switch on and off the heating system daily to suit your requirements. The Programmer allows you to have the heating and hot water on together or either only heating or only hot water. You may find you have to experiment with the settings and timings before you find the settings which suit your household.
8.3 RADIATORS The radiators are fitted with Thermostatic Control Valves, which enable you to adjust the temperature of each room individually. These valves have a frost setting (blue star symbol). This setting can be used to protect against extreme cold when the house is empty in winter. To use this facility, turn the valves to the frost setting and set the boiler programmer to the Constant heat setting. The heating system will only come on if the temperature falls near to freezing point. 8.4 GAS & ELECTRICITY SHIPPERS For any queries relating to gas or electricity accounts please contact Scottish Gas. ScottishGas Telephone: 0845 955 5200
9.0 HEATING & VENTILATION Your house contains some new building materials with a high moisture content, which will only dry out gradually. Materials that make up the building can contain moisture that may contribute to dampness within the house for a few weeks after completion. Generally dampness can be reduced or avoided by taking note of the following simple guide: 9.1 HEATING Do not allow the house to become excessively hot. Use the timer facility on the Programmer to heat the house gradually. Do not use bottled gas or paraffin heaters. As well as producing considerable amounts of water vapour when in use causing dampness within the house, these heaters can be very dangerous. 9.2 VENTILATION Your new home is equipped with a Ventilation System. Leave window trickle vents open to maximize the efficiency of the system. Leave Bedroom windows open slightly at night to reduce the build up of condensation. Windows can be locked in the ventilation position. Do not dry clothes in confined spaces. If you are using a pulley or clotheshorse to dry clothes, open the window in the room being used. When using a tumble drier, it must be a condensing type, if not there will be a hose which will need to be put out of the window to take all the water vapor produced when tumble drying to the outside. Leave a space of about 50-70 mm (2-3 ) between walls and furniture and appliances to allow a free flow of air.
10.0 GARDENS 10.1 GRASSED TURFED AREAS Recently turfed areas are all vulnerable to damage until the roots of the grass have knitted together and grown into the soil. This can take from 6-8 weeks during the growing season, i.e. May to September. During the winter period, i.e. from October to April, very little growth occurs so it is important to keep off recently turfed areas for as long as possible. Dogs can cause major damage to these areas during this period and therefore access by dogs should be restricted. The Building Contractor will be responsible for cutting your grass areas for one growing season from completion of turfing. Following this period the turfed areas will then be your responsibility to maintain. However, it would be appreciated if during the first year, in particular, you would ensure that the grassed area is watered on a regular basis. 10.2 CONCRETE SLAB PATHS, PARKING You are responsible for the cleaning and clearing of the concrete slab footpaths to the front and rear entrance doors, drying areas and bin storage area/access paths. Off road parking is provided on the clearly marked monoblock parking spaces. No vehicles should be parked or left on the roadway as this will severely restrict access for other residents, deliveries, refuse collection, service vehicles and the emergency services. Additionally, any damaged caused by tenants parking on grassed, landscaped or footpath areas will be the subject of a recharge
11.0 REFUSE COLLECTION AND STORAGE 11.1 WHEELED BINS COLLECTION SYSTEM The wheeled bins provided for refuse must be stored at the appropriate position provided. Only refuse deposited within the wheeled bins will be collected by the normal refuse collection service. Separate bins are provided for each property. On the refuse collection day, it is your responsibility to move your bins to the road edge adjacent to the public road. In doing so, you must ensure the bins do not restrict the public road. If you are unable to move your bin you should contact the West Lothian Council on 01506 777800 to arrange for an assessment prior to assisted collections being made. It is your responsibility to keep the bins clean and ensure that they are kept in the appropriate place. Hot ashes must not be placed in the bins. 11.2 LARGE OR BULKY REFUSE The Council will remove large items of refuse too bulky to put in the bin by arrangement on 01506 777800. Residents are allowed three free uplifts per year, but any further uplifts must be paid for.
12.0 APPENDIX A FLOOR PLAN A plan of your house is shown on the next page. When ordering carpets etc you would be advised to measure from the house, not the plan as this is not to scale and differences can sometimes occur whilst your home is being built.