Household tips

We've gathered together some useful guides and videos below.

Customer safety update
> E-scooters and e-bikes (London Fire Brigade advice)
> Keeping your home safe

Heating and condensation

Advice about gas safety checks, reducing condensation and preventing mould.

Gas safety

If you rent from us we will organise your annual gas safety check (Southern Housing will organise checks for their rental residents). If you're a shared ownership customer, you will need to arrange your own gas safety check each year.

Gas Safe Register: check your gas appliances

Condensation

New-build homes require ventilation to prevent moisture build-up and condensation. Click on the link to download a guide from the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings:

Moisture in new homes

Mould

If mould appears we advise cleaning it and monitoring the issue. Download the National House-Building Council's guide below to learn more about condensation and the prevention of mould:

Condensation in your home

More tips

Fitting your tv aerial, looking after your lawn and some general advice.

TV aerial

If you're in a house you will usually have to install your own aerial. If you're in a flat, you can connect to the communal system (you won't be able to attach anything to the outside of the building). See this video from Bugler for more advice.

Setting up your aerial

Lawns and turf

We suggest you maintain your lawn through seeding, weeding and watering. This will reduce the number of dead patches. For more information please read the advice below from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Lawns: dead patches

General advice

Please refer to the National House-Building Council for all new homes standards and guidance. You can read their practical guide to looking after your new home below.

NHBC Guide to your new home

Where to find your inside water stop valve (stopcock)

Inside stop valves are usually located just after the water pipe enters the house/flat. This is often:

• Under the kitchen sink

• In an airing cupboard

• Under the stairs

• Near the front door

• In the garage, utility room, bathroom or cellar

Flats and shared water supply

You may have a communal inside stop valve if your water supply is shared with your neighbours. This is normally located where your water supply enters the building.

Sometimes an additional inside stop valve can be found where the water supply enters your flat. If you can't find your inside stop valve or it's broken, there are other ways to turn your water off.