Information about moving in, change of tenancy, ending your tenancy and who your housing manager is
Your tenancy agreement sets out your rights and responsibilities as a council tenant.
The information pack provides advice and guidance regarding safety in your home and in shared communal areas.
Click on the download below to view the full document.
Anti-Social behaviour can affect anybody. Living in your own home without feeling threatened or being subject to noise nuisance is something we want every one of our tenants to be able to enjoy. Loud music, barking dogs, and unreasonable behaviour are all anti-social and no-one should have to suffer from them. The Council does take this issue very seriously and will be keen to work with you to tackle any problems you may have.
Many council tenants and leaseholders believe that we automatically insure furniture, belongings and decorations against theft, fire, vandalism, or burst pipes. This is not the case. Unfortunately, many people only realise this after the damage has been done.
The council offers a scheme at competitive rates, underwritten by a reputable insurance company.
Find important information about living in high or low rise flats including recycling, rubbish, fire safety and repairs.
Our Street Scene team provides grounds maintenance service to high rise blocks across the borough. The service is delivered throughout the year, mainly during the spring and summer months.
We have a service level agreement in place with Housing which includes details of the tasks that we are required to carry out. Where applicable, the work we do at your block is detailed below.
The service is provided over the year (April to March), divided into thirteen periods of 4 weeks duration.
Grass areas - usually April to October
We typically undertake a minimum of six cuts per year. The frequency of grass cutting will vary, depending on weather conditions, machinery, and staff availability. This frequency means grass is kept to a reasonable length. In recent years ‘mild winters’ have meant we have started grass cutting earlier to improve and maintain the service.
- Before we cut the grass, we conduct a visual check of the area and remove as much litter as we can.
- We do not remove or collect grass cuttings. Sometimes, when the weather is wet cuttings will spill onto paths. A member of staff will follow up with a blower to remove as many cuttings from the path back onto the verge as possible.
- Grass areas are treated with a contact herbicide around the edge of the verge twice a year in April and August to keep the grass edges in check. This is visible when grassed area edges
become ‘straw coloured.’
- We also conduct a cut with rotary mowers or strimmer’s in mid-summer to remove stalky seed heads and “fringes” on and around the verges
Please note: Operations may be suspended during wet and windy conditions and in times of drought, as chemical applications require certain climatic conditions for their effectiveness, and to comply with the Control of Pesticides Act 1986.
Shrubbery
- Winter clean to remove litter and rubbish (November to January)
- Treat weeds with herbicide (Spring and Summer)
- Pruning if required (November to February)
Any small newly established self-sets (naturally occurring) will be dealt with by staff when they are on site and if they have the tools and equipment to do so. Any larger self-sets plants identified, will be dealt with by your Community Housing Officer who will investigate options with the Street Scene team.
Weed Treatment
We spot treat weeds with herbicide on hard surfaces, such as pavements and car parks, twice a year in May and August.
We spot treat weeds around the buildings at the same time as spraying around the perimeter of grassed areas.
Please Note: Operations may be suspended during wet and windy conditions and in times of drought, as chemical applications require certain climatic conditions for their effectiveness, and to comply with
the Control of Pesticides Act 1986. We do not conduct dead weed removal as part of this service.
Hedge cutting
We trim ‘current season’ growth to hedges, usually once per year during July and August. We do not conduct invasive pruning to hedges, due to the bird nesting season (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).
Drying Areas
If you have a drying area on site, it will be spot treated twice a year with herbicide. We do not conduct dead weed removal as part of this service.
We do not maintain any gardens which have been set up by any tenants and residents’ groups.
Please help us to help you
It’s really important that you don’t leave any rubbish, bulk items, and litter, or allow your dog to foul the areas being cut or treated. This may prevent our teams from carrying out the work being undertaken. Action will be taken against any offenders.
Find information on what your responsibilities are when moving out of your council home, if someone you know is moving in to permanent residential or nursing home care, and advice on what to if a relative in tenancy has passed away.
The Participation Development Team is here to ensure that you have the opportunity to influence how services are delivered. For more information about how you can get involved, visit Get Involved in Dudley.
