7.1.1  Initial Standard

a)  Existing Dwellings32

Until such time as Dwellings have been either refurbished and certified in accordance with section 6 or demolished, they must be maintained at the Initial Availability Standard as set out in Annex II. Repairs necessary as a result of a failure to meet any one of the Initial Availability Standards should be carried out in such a manner as to achieve compliance with the Rectification Period.  The only exceptions to this are:

i.  Any outstanding reported repairs as at Service Commencement will be managed as part of  the Repairs Audit, and such repairs must achieve compliance with the rectification times as revised by such Repairs Audit where it differs from the Rectification Period.  The Repairs Audit will be carried out immediately prior to Service Commencement.  The Authority would wish all outstanding repairs to be completed within the appropriate timescales as set out in this Output Specification, but it is recognised that if there are a large number of reported repairs outstanding at the time of transfer of services, then a separate programme to address this backlog may be required.  This will be agreed by the parties acting reasonably and in the best interests of the tenants/residents.

ii.  During the agreed refurbishment works period for an individual Dwelling.

b)  Open Spaces

The open spaces will be maintained in accordance with the Performance Standards as set out in Section 8.  No Initial Standard exists33.

c)  [Other Facility]

[ ]34.

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32 If the scheme is new build only, then this section can be deleted.

33 Dependent on the condition of open spaces, Authorities may need to consider the development of interim standards to minimise investment in open spaces that will ultimately be removed by wider project proposals.

34 Need to detail here how Availability standards will be applied in respect of other existing facilities (if required).