Once we’ve offered you the property, we’ll offer you a chance to visit your new home with a member of our Housing Team. This is your opportunity to ask them any questions you might have about the property, the local area or renting with us. You’re more than welcome to bring along a friend of family member.

We also recommend you bring along a tape measure so you can start to plan where you will put your furniture and measure for curtains and carpets or flooring, as our homes do not have them except for the kitchen and bathroom.

When you visit, take the time to check:

• You can fit your furniture into each room
• You know the size of the floor and walls for fixtures and fittings (including carpets or flooring)
• What items you need to buy, such as white goods, a TV unit or a dishwasher
• You know which walls need painting

Before moving in, you’ll need to pay one month’s rent in advance. Talk to us about ways to do this if you haven’t got the money up-front.

Once you know the date you’ll get your keys to your new home, take some time to set up any bills and utilities you might have.

• Rent
• Council tax
• Gas supplier
• Electric supplier
• Water supplier
• Internet and phone provider
• TV licence
• TV package, such as Sky
• Home insurance

We have a free and easy to use budget planner which will create a personal plan to fit your needs. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete, you'll just need your financial information to hand.

Use our budget planner

Home insurance will protect your belongings if your home suffers from a fire or flood, or if you are a victim of crime. It can also reimburse you if you have to pay Staffs Housing because you have lost the keys to your home.

We recommend Home Contents Insurance, however, you are free to take out home contents insurance from any provider you choose.

Take a look at our repairs and maintenance section on our website that has everything you need to know about repairs and maintenance of your home.

Repairs and maintenance 

We want to make moving into your new home as easy and enjoyable as possible by providing the right information and services for you.

We're created this leaflet to make it clear what you can expect when you move into your new home. 

Before moving in, you’ll need to complete our pre-tenancy form. It’s quick and easy and will take around 10 minutes.

Complete the pre-tenancy form

Some homes will need to pay a service charge.

Our service charge covers the cost of any additional services, like cleaning communal areas, communal TV aerials, gardening and maintaining equipment such as door entry systems.

We’re open and honest about any costs, so if you pay a service charge it’ll be listed on your tenancy agreement and rent review letters.

You can find out more by reading our service charges and estate services leaflet.