Foreword

         This handbook has been prepared for circulation among the tenants of the Council in the hope that it will be of assistance to them. It contains particulars of the Council's regulations and conditions of tenancy, notes on the maintenance of the house and the garden and useful hints on first aid and what to do in case of fire.

         The Council sincerely hope that tenants will recognise that they have a direct interest in the maintenance and protection of the property they occupy and that by themselves repairing small defects when they first occur, they can do much to reduce the cost of maintenance and to increase their enjoyment of their houses.

Basildon Urban District Council

Clerk of the Council:
A. Hatt, LL.B., D.P.A.,
Barrister-at-Law.

Deputy Clerk of the Council:
A. J. G. Cooper, LL.B., D.P.A.,
Solicitor.

Treasurer:
L. R. Cousins.

Engineer and Surveyor:
S. A. Wadsworth, A.M.I.C.E., A.M.I.Mun.E.

Medical Officer of Health:
Dr. P. X. O'Dwyer, M.B., B.Ch., D.P.H.

Chief Public Health Inspector:
A. L. Leddon, M.S.I.A., Cert. S.I.B.

Regulations and Conditions of Tenancy

         The Council have made their conditions of tenancy as simple as possible as they do not wish their tenants to be subjected to any unnecessary restrictions. But some conditions are necessary in the interests of tenants generally - for instance, in the absence of tenancy conditions a tenant might carry on a noisy business to the annoyance of many of his neighbours.

         The conditions are made for the benefit of all tenants, and must be complied with.

         The present regulations and conditions are set out on the back of the Rent Card and should be studied by all tenants.

Repairs and Decorations

         The Council require tenants to be responsible for some part of the maintenance of these premises and for all internal decorations, and have adopted a scheme whereby tenants who carry out their own internal decorations and keep their properties in good condition will qualify for a rent rebate once every two years. Tenants are responsible for the cost of the following items : this work will be carried out by the Council at the tenant's expense and payment will have to be made in advance in accordance with the schedule of fixed prices.

Advice to Tenants

         Congealed grease may partially close pipes and drains and so form a trap where small pieces of solid waste, that otherwise would do no harm, may collect and cause stoppage. It is a good thing, therefore, to pour boiling water in which some washing soda has been dissolved, down the pipes from time to time. A little cleansing powder too, sprinkled on your sink and left there for an hour or so will efficiently cleanse it.

         Sometimes it happens that the water from the sink, wash basin or bath runs away very slowly. This is usually due to small pieces of cloth or sponge having collected in the " U " or bend of the pipe immediately below where it is joined to the sink, basin or bath. There is an instrument consisting of a wooden handle attached to a rubber cap that can be used for clearing such stoppages. You will find a plug beneath the bend in the pipe ; this plug may be unscrewed and the stoppage cleared with wire. Don't forget to put a bowl or bucket beneath the bend before you unscrew the plug and remember to put the plug back when the job is done.

         Your house will be much sweeter if you clean and flush the outside gullies occasionally.

         A fire in your chimney may render you liable to legal proceedings, but there is no fear of this happening if you have all chimneys swept regularly.

         Many houses nowadays have solid ground floors made of a composition material which are not to be covered with linoleum. Solid floors should always be allowed to breathe, but carpeting and rugs may be laid. Composition floors can easily be cleaned with warm water and mild soap only. The minimum of cleaning only is necessary when the floor is periodically treated with a good quality wax polish. When the floor has received two or three coats of such treatment, dirt, etc., will only rest on the surface and can easily be removed.

         Wood block floors must not be covered by linoleum or washed or treated with liquid lino paint, but carpets and rugs may be laid. Any damage caused through mistreatment will be the tenants responsibility. The floor may be treated with a light stain, one of which can be made by yourself by adding one teaspoonful of permanganate of potash to one pint of water (permanganate of potash can be obtained from most chemists). After staining the blocks should be polished with a good quality wax polish.

         Tenants wishing to sub-let or to take in lodgers must make application to the Clerk of the Council; each application will be considered on its merits.

         In the event of permission being given to take in lodgers an addition to the weekly rent of 4/- will be made.

         Overflowing cisterns are usually due to wear on the ball valve washer or grit in the water main and occasionally by the ball valve sticking. The trouble can often be remedied by holding down the ball for a second or two, allowing the grit etc. to be removed by the flow of water. You should try this first before reporting an overflowing cistern.

         External paintwork costs a great deal and will last a long time if it is cared for, but it is often damaged by kicks or knocks. Marks from kicks on doors by children and scratches from dogs cannot be removed, but other marks and stains can usually be wiped off with a chamois leather and water.

Insurance

General Amenities

Electricity in Your New Home

         In most houses the main supply of hot water is provided by a boiler behind the living-room coal fire - an efficient and satisfactory arrangement for those periods of the year when it is necessary to have the living-room fire alight.

         Cartridge Type Fuses. First turn the main switch handle into the position marked " OFF." Open the fuse-box cover and proceed in accordance with the printed instructions inside the cover.

         Renewable Fuses. First turn the main switch handle into the position marked " OFF." Open the fuse-box cover, withdraw one fuse carrier at a time, inspect, and the blown fuse is usually apparent at once. Replace with the correct size fuse wire. (Cards of fuse wire are available from the Board's Service Centres). Replace the fuse carrier, close fuse-box cover and turn main switch into the " ON " position.

         If the fuse blows again, there is obviously a fault in either the wiring or the apparatus and you are advised to report the matter to one of the Service Centres listed below.

         Enquiries for repairs and maintenance during normal working hours should be addressed to the :-

         When in doubt about any aspect of Eastern Electricity Service, please do not hesitate to contact any of our Service Centres at :-

Gas in the Home

         Gas appliances are easy to manage and keep clean and running costs are low.

         The advantages of gas cooking are its simplicity and ease of control. The correct heat is easily maintained and very little attention is required. It is economical and there is no waiting for the heat. Most cookers have automatic controls by which it is possible to cook whole menus without attention after placing the food in the oven.

Gas Cookers.

         Keep your gas cooker clean, absolutely free from dirt and grease and it will give you excellent service. The following are just a few hints on the maintenance and use of gas cookers.

         Hotplate. If the cooker is finished in porcelain enamel, clean with a warm soapy cloth, bars and burners may also be cleaned in this way each day. Occasionally wash the loose parts in hot soapy water (do not use soda), dry these parts thoroughly and polish with a little furniture cream or black boot polish.

         Oven. The oven should be washed while still warm after use with hot soapy water, and a little scouring powder. Burnt fat inside the oven can be removed by a solvent.

         Loose parts of the oven should be taken out occasionally and washed in hot soapy water. After drying smear with a little olive oil to prevent rust.

         Have loose taps attended to immediately.
To use your gas cooker economically -

         Always heat the oven for fifteen minutes before cooking, or if it is a cooker with automatic control follow the simple instructions on the chart.

         Do not waste gas. Turn off the burner the moment you have finished using it. Never put on more water to boil than is actually required. Never allow flames to flicker round or up the sides of a kettle or saucepan as this wastes gas.

         Kettles and pans should be thoroughly cleaned. The same utensils should not be used indiscriminately on a coal fire and a gas cooker. Soot on the bottom of a pan wastes gas.

Gas Wash Boilers.

         A plentiful supply of hot water is available within half an hour of lighting. Carefully clean the wash-boiler after washing clothes. This prevents a deposit of grease from clothes, soap, etc., and also prevents rust. If there is an unpleasant smell from the wash-boiler it means that the burners need adjustment. This may also occur in other types of gas water heaters and should be reported to the Gas Board at once.

The Gas Refrigerator.