Independent living Service Standard

We’re committed to providing our tenants with great services and putting them at the heart of everything we do. This service standard sets out what you can expect as a tenant in an independent living community.

To support you to live independently we will: 

• Assess your needs every year so we can understand how best to support you
• Make referrals to organisations that can help if you start to need additional support.
• Agree a level of contact with you that is appropriate to your needs.
• Provide equipment so you can get help in an emergency.
• Hold quarterly resident meetings so you can have your say about where you live.
• Publish days and times when your Independent Living Coordinator will be
  available for you to see in person.
• Talk to you about the kind of activities you’d  like to see in your independent living community, and help you to organise them.

To keep you safe and healthy in your home, we will:

• Carry out fire and water tests in communal areas every week.
• Treat paths and drying areas twice a year to control moss.
• Provide smoke detectors in your home.
• Carry out individual fire risk assessments with you if it’s appropriate to do so.
• Keep you informed about any planned maintenance or improvement works that are going to be taking place.

To look after your independent living community, we will:

• Report any issues with communal facilities and grounds promptly.
  Clean external windows in communal areas in low and medium rise blocks four times a year.
• Vacuum and mop all communal flooring, including that in laundry areas
• Wipe tables and other surfaces in communal areas, including laundry areas
• Sweep and mop stairs and lifts, and clean lift buttons
• Seasonally sweep pathways and car parks
• Cut the grass regularly in the growing season.
• Weed flower beds and planted areas twice a year.
• Cut hedges and shrubs twice a year.
• Clear out leaves from shrubs and beds once a year. 

All council staff visiting your independent living community will:

• Treat you with professionalism and courtesy.
• Carry identification and show it to you on request.
• Respond to your questions and keep you updated on the progress of any issues you report to them.