Guidelines & Support
Explore guidance and support for residents on topics ranging from pet ownership to special provisions for elderly residents.
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Health & Safety
Fire Safety
Your safety is our top priority. Fire safety is a critical aspect of ensuring our community remains a secure and comfortable place to live. We are committed to promoting awareness and preparedness to protect our residents, staff, and property from the risks of fire.
Stay Informed
Familiarise yourself with our fire safety guidelines and evacuation plans. Knowledge is your first line of defence.
Be Prepared
Regularly check your smoke alarms and know your nearest exits. A well-rehearsed plan can save lives.
Report Hazards
If you spot potential fire hazards, please report them immediately. Your vigilance can prevent emergencies.
Practice Caution
Always be mindful of fire risks in your home. Simple actions, like never leaving cooking unattended and ensuring electrical appliances are in good working order, can make a significant difference.
Together, we can create a safer environment for everyone in our community. For detailed information on our fire safety policies and procedures, please refer to the links provided below.
Download “Fire Policy 2020“
Download “Fire Safety in Communal Areas Policy“
Download “Fire Risk Assessment Procedure“
Mobility Scooter Safety
Mobility scooters can improve the quality of life for residents who need assistance with their mobility. The Council recognises our duty under the Equality Act 2010 and will facilitate the use of mobility scooters where possible. Lambeth wants to promote independent living so that people can live in their homes for as long as possible. However, we have to balance these needs against newer fire safety regulations, which must take precedence.
This policy sets out our approach to the use, storage and charging of mobility scooters in Lambeth properties. We aim to support residents who wish to use mobility scooters, provided this is reasonably practical and does not impact the fire safety of others.
Please download the full policy here.
E-Bike Safety
Cowley is committed to promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly modes of transportation within our community. Recognising the growing popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) as an eco-friendly travel option, we have established the following policy to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all residents and visitors.
This policy sets out to provide clear guidelines on the use, parking, and storage of e-bikes, emphasising that hired e-bikes should not be stored on the estate to ensure communal areas remain accessible and safe for all residents.
Please read the full policy here.
Housing for Elderly Residents
At Cowley RMO, we’re deeply committed to ensuring our elderly residents feel at home, supported, and valued. Our housing options for older residents are designed with comfort, accessibility, and community at their heart.
I am retired and would like to move to a smaller home; what are my options?
- You may apply for a smaller property by registering for a transfer.
- If you wish to exchange your home for a smaller one, you may be able to move under Lambeth’s Tenants Incentive Scheme (TIS). Residents who move under this scheme receive £500 for each room vacated. Please contact the estate office for further details.
- If you are over 55, you may apply for sheltered housing. Sheltered housing is a specialist type of accommodation and service which enables older people to continue to enjoy life in the community as independently as possible, with the benefit of friendship, support and security.
If you would like to find out more about Lambeth’s sheltered accommodation scheme, please contact the estate office.
I wish to remain in my home; what services can you provide?
Cowley RMO recognises that this is a long wait for many residents and has designated a limited resource to provide aids and adaptations to people to make living in their homes much easier.
We can for examples; fix handrails to stairs and bath areas, erect access ramps, lower plug sockets, change tap heads. We can also provide competitive quotations to supply and install shower units. Please contact the estate office for further details.
Your Tenancy Agreement
A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. A tenancy agreement outlines our obligations to you, such as carrying out repairs, and outlines many of your obligations to us, your landlord, such as the need to pay rent and not to cause nuisance, harassment or damage.
In addition, it sets out other conditions relating to the tenancy, such as the rules on keeping pets and installing satellite dishes. If you break the conditions of your Tenancy Agreement or allow others to do so, we may take legal action to evict you from your home.
CRMO, on behalf of the Council, offers what is termed an ‘Introductory Tenancy’. This is a 12-month probationary tenancy, after which the tenant will become a secure tenant, provided you meet the conditions of your tenancy agreement.
Moving Out
You are required to give us written notification of when you intend to vacate your property with at least four full weeks’ notice.
Keys must be returned to the estate office before 12 noon on the day on which your notice to end your tenancy expires. Keys returned later will incur an additional full week’s rent.
We expect you to leave your home in a clean and safe manner. All of your personal belongings should be removed. Any repairs not due to fair wear and tear and that are your responsibility, will be recharged to you. Please refer to the ‘repairs service chapter’ in the tenant’s handbook.
Once notice of you vacating the property is received and the keys have been returned, we expect to take vacant possession of the property. If vacant possession is not given, we will initiate possession proceedings to obtain the property back and all costs incurred will be recharged to you.
The Difference Between an Introductory and a Secure Tenancy
An introductory tenancy gives you many of the same rights as a secure council tenancy; however you can be evicted more easily. In addition, introductory tenants cannot:
- Exchange their tenancy with any other tenant
- Transfer the tenancy, unless they are ordered to by a court or in other very rare circumstances
- Exercise the right to buy (however, the period of introductory tenancy may count towards the right to buy)
- Take in lodgers or sublet all or part of the property or make improvements to the property without the Council’s permission
Your Obligations as an Introductory Tenant
As an introductory tenant you must:
- Pay the weekly rent in advance
- Keep the property clean and well decorated
- Respect the neighbours and not cause a nuisance
- Make sure that anyone living at or visiting the property does not cause a nuisance
- Keep the garden in a neat and tidy condition
- Allow Council and CRMO workmen into the property to carry out inspections and repairs and
- Give the council four weeks’ notice to end the introductory tenancy.
The introductory tenant has other responsibilities that will be explained when you sign the tenancy agreement.
What to Expect When You Move In
When you are moving in to your new home we will:
- Endeavour to provide you with your new keys on the Wednesday before your tenancy commences.
- Where applicable, have your redecoration allowance ready when you collect your keys.
- If you have an individual boiler or heating system, we will provide you with a copy of a Gas Safety and Electric Certificates.
- If you have a communal boiler or heating system, we will provide you with an Electric Certificate only.
- Provide you with a Cowley Residents Welcome Pack, including a tenancy handbook and a copy of your tenancy conditions.
Keeping a Pet
If you want to keep a pet, it must be suitable for your home and lifestyle, and you must have our authorisation beforehand.
Dog Ownership
Dog ownership appears to be on the rise on our estates. As a nation of dog lovers, that could be a good thing, but we’re also seeing an increase in reports of dog nuisance.
We’ve recently been alerted to cases of dogs barking at unsocial hours, dog fouling in communal areas and, occasionally, dogs having been used to frighten our residents.
A resident must get permission from Cowley RMO to keep a dog and this will only be granted by us if the property is suitable.
All dogs must be micro-chipped, and we require your up-to-date details.
Dog ownership permission can be withdrawn at any time if you do not follow the guidelines for responsible dog ownership.
Things to remember:
• Dog owners/walkers must clean up after their dogs.
• Picking up after your dog is not only a common courtesy but your duty as a pet owner. Your dog waste is your responsibility to pick up in public places.
• You must keep your ‘under control.’
• You must keep your dog on a lead on the estate.
• Dogs that are perpetually barking, therefore disturbing neighbours, may be reported to the RSPCA, and other actions may follow.
• It is a criminal offence to allow your dog to be ‘dangerously out of control.’ This counts in both public and private areas (such as inside someone’s home). This could be anything from your dog chasing a person or another animal to physically harming them. It can also be if someone feels at risk of being injured by your dog. Either the owner or the person in charge of the dog can be charged. If this happens, you may have to pay a fine, compensation and costs. If your dog hurts a person, unfortunately, it can be seized by the police or RSPCA and may even be humanely destroyed.
• Report to the Estate office if you see anyone not cleaning up after their dog or taking them off a lead. The information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Dogs currently banned under the law:
- Pit bull terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- The XL Bully will become illegal to own from the 1st of February 2024 without a certificate of exemption.