Housing & Estates

 

Contacts
FAQs
Useful Documents

 

The Housing & Estates Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance meet three
times a year and are responsible for considering all housing matters as well as
other property issues, including Glebe land. A housing forum has been
established which meets once or twice a year to discuss housing issues and
provides a focal discussion medium for the review of policy and management of
clergy housing.

Approximately 160 houses are managed by the Property Team with an annual
budget of £1.2m in 2009, which includes repairs and maintenance,
improvements, council tax, water rates and insurance.
 

The Property Team are the people to contact if you have any questions about
clergy housing.

If you need more detailed answers to any questions, please consult the Housing & Estates Handbook 2010

 

 

 

Contacts:

Michael Lindley, Diocesan Surveyor (0113) 200 0549 michaell@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

Kath Hinchcliffe, Property Assistant (0113) 200 0549 kathh@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Alterations
Burglar alarms
Burglary and break-ins
Chimney sweeping
Cookers
Council Tax
Electrical
Glazing
Heating
Internal decorations
Keys
Pests
Secutiry
Smoke detectors
Trees

 

 

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Housing & Estates - Useful Documents

Here are a selection of documents that clergy, PCCs and churchwardens may find useful.

Approved Contractors List 2011-2012

Clergy Environment Letter

Council Tax Questionnaire

Emerging Housing Policy

Housing & Estates Handbook 2010

Housing Forum 2009 - Leeds Archdeaconry Minutes

Housing Forum 2009 - Richmond Archdeaconry Minutes

Housing Forum 2010/2011 - Richmond Archdeaconry Minutes

Vacancy Decorating Grant Claim Form

 

 

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Alterations

 

Before undertaking any alterations it is imperative that you contact the Property Team before any work is initiated.

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Burglar Alarm & Security Lighting

These are not standard on properties however a grant can be sought from the Housing & Estates Committee towards installation. Each grant is at the discretion of the Committee dependant upon circumstances. Maintenance of the alarm system is the responsibility of the PCC. Details for applying for a grant can be obtained from the Property Team.

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Burglary or Break-in

You must in the first instance:

• Contact the Police
 

• Make the house safe and secure. Call the local glazier from the recommended contact sheet if possible, or glazier from yellow pages. (The Housing & Estates Committee will pay/reimburse the cost through the insurance)
 

• If the incident happens out of office hours then contact Ecclesiastical Insurance 24 hour line – 0845 603 8381. This line reaches the claims department between the hours of 8am to 6pm and out of hours provider between 6pm and 8am.
 

• Contact the Property Team on 0113 2000549 and give details of:
 

a] how and when the damage occurred and
 

b] the name of the Police station and crime reference number.

 

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Chimney Sweeping

Chimney sweeping is the occupier’s responsibility: during a vacancy the responsibility transfers to the churchwardens and PCC and should be undertaken at least once a year.

 

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Cooker

The provision and maintenance of the cooker is the responsibility of the occupier.

 

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Council Tax & Water Rates

 

The Housing & Estates Committee are responsible for paying council tax on all properties occupied by a full time stipendiary clergy person. Water rates are paid on parsonage houses and houses owned by the Board of Finance; if the property is owned by the PCC then the PCC are responsible for these.

 

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Electrical

 

The Housing & Estates Committee will arrange for electrical systems to be tested and certified by an NICEIC registered electrician at vacancy and at every quinquennial. Any works undertaken must be by an NICEIC approved contractor. Due to recent changes in Building Regulations no alterations should be undertaken by occupiers to the existing circuits other than replacement of light fittings.

 

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Glazing

If a window is broken through an act of vandalism the Housing & Estates Committee will accept responsibility for payment of any invoices relating to this act. Where damage arises from domestic incidents the occupier will be held responsible for either the cost of the cost of the Insurance Policy excess (currently £250) or the full cost of the repair.

 

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Heating Service/Gas Appliances

 

Annual servicing of all gas appliances is undertaken and organised by the Property Team. If your boiler or heating system breaks down out of office hours please contact the company who normally services your boiler.

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Internal Decorations

 

The incumbent/occupier is responsible for interior decorations to the house, except where work is necessary in consequence of major repairs. Grants are available from the Housing & Estates Committee to a maximum of £1,000 or 50% which ever is the least at vacancies and only on parsonage and curates houses. It is only payable against invoices for work carried out within 3 months of occupation or against receipts for materials. The assistance of the PCC should be sought with decorating during occupancy.

 

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Keys

 

Replacement of locks and keys following theft, or loss of keys, should be claimed through household contents insurance and is not the responsibility of the Housing & Estates Committee.

 

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Pests & Vermin

Responsibility for removal of wasp’s nests, vermin, etc, lies with the incumbent/PCC. However if a specific entry point can be found the Housing & Estates Committee will infill, etc as required.

 

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Security Precautions

 

All doors and windows should be kept locked and alarms switched on in times of absence from the property.
 

• When the house is to be left empty for more than a day, always tell a reliable neighbour or friend, but only tell those who need to know.
 

• Cancel all deliveries, milk, newspapers and ask someone to check that the post and free newspapers are not sticking out of the letterbox. Alternatively, ask the post sorting office to hold post.

• Don’t leave notes for tradesmen. Telephone them instead.
 

• Ask a neighbour or friend to water the garden and indoor plants, mow the lawn and cut the hedge. They might also be asked to park their car occasionally on the drive or in front of the house and put the bin out on bin day.
 

• If everyone in the household is to be out until after dark, leave a light on in a room, not the hall. A time switch or light-sensitive fitting is recommended.
 

• In the house remember that curtains and blinds drawn in the daytime attract the thief.
 

• Make sure the doorbell is only audible from the inside – let people assume it is not working rather than not being answered.
 

• Disconnect telephones that can be heard left ringing (particularly those on window sills). Also, any answerphone message should always say “We cannot come to the phone at present”, rather than “we are not here”.
 

• Keep garage doors shut and locked. If the garage has windows, use curtains or blinds to block prying eyes. No car often means that nobody is home.

 

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Smoke Detectors

 

The Housing & Estates Committee will provide 50% reimbursement against receipts for smoke detectors. The Housing & Estates Committee strongly advises that all clergy install smoke detectors as necessary.

 

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Trees

 

The Housing & Estates Committee are responsible for the upkeep of mature field type trees only. Ornamental trees in the vicarage grounds are the responsibility of the incumbent/PCC. If the property lies within conservation area or the trees are protected by a Tree Preservation order then local authority permission is required. The Housing & Estates Committee will also deal with any trees that are a danger to persons or property.

 

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