Resident guidance

What is Tandridge doing?

We have started a programme to carry out electrical safety checks, known as Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) on all properties we own and rent out. These checks will be done by a National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) accredited electrical contractor. We will carry out these inspections every five years, as required by regulation guidelines.

What is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an official safety check for the electrical system in your home. It looks at the condition of the wiring, switches, sockets and other electrical parts. This inspection makes sure everything is safe and meets the necessary safety
regulations.

The EICR helps find any electrical hazards or faults which could cause risks like fires or electric shocks. It makes sure repairs or upgrades are done if needed to keep your home safe.

If you have any concerns about electrical safety, please call 01737 355776 or e-mail tandridge@nrtgroup.co.uk for advice or to book an appointment.

Follow these tips to stay safe:

• Correct wiring: Make sure plugs are wired correctly to avoid risks like fires or electric shocks.
• Power off: Turn off TVs, stereos and other electronics completely (not just on standby) when you are not using them.
• Fire safety: Always use a fireguard with electric fires to prevent accidents or direct contact with flammable materials.
• Professional repairs: Only let experts do electrical repairs and wiring.
• Quality equipment: Make sure all electrical equipment and appliances meet British (BS) or European (EN) Standards.
• Approval: Get written permission from your tenancy management officer before doing any electrical work in your home.
• Certified electricians: Only use electricians who are registered with NICEIC.
• Air circulation: Keep electrical equipment cool by allowing space for air to flow around it. Don’t put anything on top of electrical appliances like microwaves and avoid putting electrical items in cupboards. If using a heater, keep it around half a metre from the wall.
• Don’t overload sockets: Overloading plug sockets is a common cause of electrical fires. Only plug one heat producing appliance like a kettle or toaster into a multi way socket at a time.
• Check the fuse: If a fuse blows, replace it with the correct one for the appliance. Using the wrong fuse can cause cables to overheat and damage the appliance, or cause a fire.
• No DIY repairs: Never fix sockets or wiring yourself. Contact the Council’s repair team for all electrical work.
• Damaged equipment: Don’t use appliances with broken wires, cracked or chipped plug or damage sockets.
• Dry hands: Don’t touch plugs, switches, or appliances with wet hands.
• Secure flexes/wires: Make sure wires from kettles, toasters and other appliances don’t hang over the edge of counters or touch hot surfaces, like a cooker.
• Bathrooms: Don’t use portable appliances like hairdryers or straighteners in the bathroom, except for shavers with specially fitted sockets.
• Heaters: Never hang clothes over convector, storage or fan heaters or block its air vents.
• No time switches: Avoid fitting time switches or delay controls to electric fires.
• Extension leads: Do not overload extension leads or run them across rooms or hallways where someone could trip.
• Communal sockets: Don’t use sockets in communal areas for your personal appliances.

By following these steps, you will reduce the risk of electrical hazards and keep your home safe.

Gas leaks

If you smell gas:
1. Turn off the gas supply at the meter.
2. Call the National Gas Emergency Services on 0800 111 999.

How to turn off your gas supply

The emergency control valve (ECV) is near your gas meter.
It has a red tap handle on the pipe.
If you don’t know where your gas meter or ECV is, contact us or your gas service provider.

What to do:

• Turn off the gas supply.
• Call the National Gas Emergency Service.
• Put out any flames and don’t smoke.
• Open all windows and doors to let fresh air in.

Don’t:

• Use matches or lighters.
• Turn light switches on or off because this can ignite escaping gas.
• Turn the gas supply back on until a Gas Safe registered engineer has checked it.

Gas servicing

Gas appliances must be serviced regularly to keep them safe. Without proper maintenance, they can produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colourless, odourless and deadly gas.

Annual gas safety checks

• We will arrange an annual gas safety check for any gas fire, heating or hot water system we have installed.
• After the inspection, you will receive a Landlord Gas Safety Record (LGSR) showing the checks done.
• It is essential this inspection is done. We will notify you up to 60 days in advance and arrange a convenient appointment.
• If you don’t provide access, legal action may be taken.

Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms

• A CO alarm must be installed in any room with a fixed gas appliance, such as a boiler, gas fire, or similar heating system, but not a gas cooker.
• If you do not have a CO alarm, please contact us and we will provide one for you.

Check the engineer’s credentials

You can contact the Gas Safe Register at 0800 408 5500 or visit its website at www.gasaferegister.co.uk.

To keep your home safe:

Do:

• Only use a Gas Safe Registered contractor to install your gas cooker.
• Have your cooker checked once a year by a Gas Safe Registered contractor.
• Keep air vents around gas appliances clear and unblocked.
• Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, like headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, confusion and loss of consciousness.
• Contact us immediately if you suspect any gas appliance in your home is unsafe.
• Watch for warning signs that your gas appliances may not be working properly:
  •  A floppy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue one.
  • Black or brown marks on or around the appliance.
  • The boiler pilot light keeps going out.
  • Increased condensation inside your windows.
  • Error messages on control panels.

Don’t:

• Try to fix or work on gas appliances you did not install.
• Install any gas appliance except a gas cooker.
• Leave gas fires on overnight in rooms where people sleep.

What is Radon?

Radon is a natural gas that comes from rocks and soil. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it so the only way to know if it’s in your home is to test for it.

Radon is found all over the UK, but it’s more common in rural areas. Outdoors, levels are usually low. But indoors, radon can build up and become a health risk.

Why does radon matter?

Breathing in high levels of radon over many years can increase your risk of lung cancer. This is why it’s important to test your home, especially if you live in an area where radon levels might be higher.

Free radon testing in Tandridge

We’ve checked postcodes across the district to find places where radon levels are more likely to be high. If your home is in one of these areas (with a risk over 1%), you’ll soon get a letter offering you a free radon test kit.

How the test works

Testing is simple and safe:

• You will get two small plastic detectors, about the size of a biscuit.
• Put one in your living room and one in your bedroom.
• Leave them there for three months.
• After that, send them back in the pre-paid envelope.

We’ll then check the radon levels in your home.

What happens if radon levels are high?

Don’t worry, we’ll help you fix it. The solution depends on how much radon is found and how your home is built. We’ll work with you to find the best way to reduce the radon levels.

Want to know more?

Visit the UK Health Security Agency’s website: UK Radon.

Radon FAQs

1. What is radon?
Radon is a natural gas that comes from rocks and soil. You can’t see, smell, or taste it.

2. Why is radon a concern?
Breathing in high levels of radon over time can increase your risk of lung cancer.

3. I haven’t received a letter, can I still check my risk?
Yes! Visit UK Radon and enter your postcode to see the risk in your area.

4. My neighbour’s home was tested and is safe. Do I still need to test mine?
Yes. Radon levels can vary from house to house, even on the same street.

5. Can I get a free test if I’m not a council tenant?
Free kits are only for Tandridge District Council tenants. Homeowners can order a test from UK Radon. If you rent privately, speak to your landlord.

6. Is the test safe for children and pets?
Yes. The detectors are passive, contain no chemicals or power, and are completely safe.

Condensation happens when warm, moist air hits a cold surface like a window or wall. The moisture in the air turns into water droplets. 
A small amount of condensation is normal. But if there is too much, or it is left on surfaces for too long , it can cause mould.

When you might see condensation:

• On or around windows.
• On mirrors after a bath or shower.
• On cold surfaces like tiles or walls.
• In corners, behind wardrobes, or cupboards, especially in places with limited airflow.

Why is too much condensation a problem?

• It can cause mould on walls and furniture.
• Clothes and fabrics can get damp or smell musty.
• Wooden window frames may rot.

What causes condensation?

1. Too much moisture being made in the home - such as cooking or drying clothes.
2. Poor airflow and ventilation – not enough fresh air coming in or moving around.
3. Big changes in temperature inside the home.
4. Warm, moist air touching cold surfaces, like windows and outside walls.

Tips to reduce moisture in your home

• Dry clothes outside if you can, or in a room with the door closed and a window slightly open. 
• Don’t dry clothes on radiators unless windows are open.
• If you use a vented tumble dryer, make sure it vents through a proper outlet – not just out a window or door.  
• Use extractor fans when showering, bathing, or cooking - keep the window and door shut while doing so. 
• No fan? Open a window slightly and close the doors to stop steam spreading to other rooms.
• Run cold water first when filling the bath – it makes less steam and condensation.
• Put lids on saucepans while cooking to reduce steam.
• Wipe away any condensation from surfaces.
• A dehumidifier can help reduce moisture but do not rely only on this to prevent moisture.

How to reduce condensation and mould

• Keep trickle vents (small vents in window frames) and wall ventilation bricks open when rooms are occupied, even during winter when your heating is on. These vents help remove water vapour.
• Leave a small gap between furniture (like wardrobes, beds, and sofas) and walls. This allows air to circulate around the room.
• Set your heating to run for longer periods at a lower temperature, rather than using short, intense bursts. Adjust your room thermostat and radiator valves to keep each room at an average temperature of 18°C to 21°C.
• Controlled ventilation lets fresh air in when needed, but draughts let in too much cold air.
• To draught proof your home, block up unwanted gaps to keep warm air in and cold air out.
• This saves energy and money while keeping your home cozy.
• We support the use of smart meters to help you monitor and manage your energy use at home. Contact your energy supplier to find out more.

What is Tandridge doing?

• We investigate reports of damp and mould by sending a specialist surveyor to visit your home and asses the cause.
• The surveyor will provide a report and offer advice on reducing condensation.
• To report an issue, please submit an online repair form or call 01883 722000.
• We aim to investigate within 14 days and start urgent repairs within 7 days.

Damp, mould and condensation guidance.

Smoke detection

All homes should have smoke detectors. During your welcome visit, we will show you how to test your smoke alarm. If you do not have a smoke alarm on each floor of your home, usually in the passage or hallway, please contact us to request one.

To maintain your smoke alarm, test it weekly by pressing the test button. Clean it monthly by gently vacuuming it to remove dust.

If your alarm doesn’t make a sound when tested or starts beeping, it may be faulty. Please contact us immediately to report any issues.

During your annual gas safety check, our heating engineer will also test the alarm.

Fire doors

Do not alter your fire door, including:

• Never repair or make changes to your fire door. This can damage it and make it less effective in an emergency.
• Don't drill into or cut your fire door, this includes adding cat flaps or other large openings.
• Don't paint over the seals or replace handles, hinges or other parts of the door.
• Your front door must have a special device which automatically closes the door. Do not remove or tamper with it.
• We will regularly check entrance doors to ensure they are safe.

Reporting problems

If the door closer is broken or missing, report it online or call 01883 722000. We will send someone to fix it.

Communal areas, be prepared

• Familiarise yourself with the building's nearest exit routes. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do in case of a fire.
• If your flat entrance opens onto an internal space such as a corridor, lobby or staircase it should be fitted with a fire door and closer device.
• Familiarise yourself with the Fire Action Notice which should be located at the entrance to the block. If you live in a larger block there should also be one on each floor. This sets out the actions you should take in event of a fire.
• Don’t store items in communal areas as they can block escape routes and create fire hazards. We may remove any item that presents a fire risk.
• Fire doors must stay closed to contain smoke and flames. Never prop them open or block them.
• If you notice a damaged fire door or that doesn’t close properly, report it immediately.
• If you see potential fire hazards, such as faulty wiring, broken fire doors, or unsafe conditions in communal areas, please let us know.
• No smoking is allowed in communal areas.

What to do if a fire breaks out in your home

If there's a fire, act quickly. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do.
Alert everyone

• Shout FIRE! To make sure everyone knows and gather everyone together

Get everyone out

• Follow your planned escape route that everyone is familiar with.

While escaping:

• Don't stop to save valuables or look for pets.
• Don't investigate the fire.
• Crawl on the floor if there's smoke - the air is cleaner near the ground.
• Only open the doors you need to and close any open doors to slow the fire’s spread.

Do not lock your front door

• Use the back of your hand to check doors before opening them. If a door feels warm, don't open it - the fire is likely on the other side.
• Stay together with others if you can.
• Once outside and in a safe place, call 999.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a hazardous material that can harm your health if its fibres are disturbed and become airborne. Breathing in these fibres can cause serious lung damage.

Asbestos was used in buildings and products until it was banned in 1999. Buildings built after 2000 are unlikely to contain asbestos.

How to find out if you have asbestos in my home?

You will receive information about where asbestos may be found in your home as part of your welcome pack. If you do not have this information, please contact us.

If you want an asbestos survey of your home, please call customer services on 01883 722000.

Remember: If your home has asbestos, don’t touch or damage it. It’s only dangerous when it is moved.

What to do if it’s damaged

If any part of your home with asbestos is damaged, please contact us. We will arrange repairs or provide advice on how to safely carry out DIY or decorating work.

Never attempt to:

• Remove it.
• Do any DIY or decoration work on asbestos containing material without contacting
• your tenancy management officer.
• Disturb it by banging nails into it.
• Cut, break, drill, sand, scrape or use a steam stripper on it.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) don’t usually apply to private homes, but they do cover communal areas in residential buildings, such as hallways, staircases and other shared spaces.

We are responsible for ensuring these areas are inspected periodically for asbestos and managing any risks.

Reporting damage

If you notice any damage to communal areas, please report it to your Tenancy Management Officer or call customer services.

A repair team will be sent promptly to fix the issue. If the damage involves any asbestos materials, please let the officer know when you report it.

This helps ensure the repair is done quickly and safely.

What is Legionella

Legionella is a type of bacteria found naturally in lakes and streams. It can become a health risk when it grows and spreads in man-made water systems like showerheads, taps, hot water tanks and heaters.

People can get Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, by inhaling tiny water droplets in the air that contain Legionella bacteria.

The risk of Legionella in small domestic water systems is very low. However, it’s a good idea to follow simple precautions and maintain good water hygiene to further reduce any risk.

Who is at risk?

While anyone can be affected by Legionella, certain groups are at higher risk, including:

• People over 45 years old
• Smokers
• Heavy drinkers
• Those with respiratory or kidney disease
• People with weakened immune systems

Not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria will get the disease. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. You cannot catch it from another person or by drinking water.

What increases the risk of legionella?

Legionella bacteria can grow rapidly in water systems under certain conditions, including:

• Water temperatures between 20°C and 45°C.
• Stagnant water - in taps or showers that aren’t used often.
• Build-up of scale, sludge, or rust, which can feed the bacteria.
• Water droplets becoming airborne, such as from showers, faucets, or toilets.

What should you do?

If you’ve moved into a new home or your home has been unoccupied for a week or more, for example, during a holiday, it is important to flush out your water system.

Here’s what to do:

• Flush showers and taps regularly: If they aren’t used often, run water through them at least once a week.
• Run water for at least two minutes: Start with sink taps and run both hot and cold water.
• Turn taps on slowly: This helps prevent splashing, as airborne water droplets can be risky.
• For showers: Remove the shower head or wrap it in a towel to minimise spray.
• Flush toilets with the lid closed.
• Flush outside taps regularly: During winter or low use, be sure to run outside taps too. Also, always disconnect and drain garden hoses after use.

Do not adjust your hot water temperature.

Set your hot water tank to 60°C to prevent bacteria from growing. (This doesn’t apply to
combi boilers which provide instant hot water).

Clean and descale taps and showerheads regularly.
Legionella bacteria can grow on grime, scale, algae and rust. To avoid this, clean your taps and showerheads every three months, or whenever you notice a buildup, using a nylon brush or diluted bleach.

What are we doing?

We work with a water hygiene company to check communal water systems in certain buildings. As required by law, we carry out regular monitoring and inspections to ensure the water systems are clean and safe to use.

We do not monitor water hygiene inside individual homes.