The following items are suitable for the recycling chute:

• Paper
• Thin card
• Plastic bottles (please rinse)
• Tins and cans (please rinse)
• Catalogues

Please don’t put glass in the chute. There’s a recycling bank at the end of Penny Brookes Street on Leyton Road for that.

For further guidance please talk to Team East Village and for current recycling arrangements please visit the Newham Council website.

For larger items that will not fit in your bin or in the chutes, there is a bulky waste collection area in the basement. Your fob will be programmed with this access.

Disposal of Batteries

Batteries should NOT be disposed of with household waste. Instead, batteries should be taken to the East Park Walk office or the local Sainsburys.

Painting

Before you paint the walls of your home, just a few things to note:

• You must let us know first, so we can give you a method statement for you to follow
• Please do not paint the ceilings or any woodwork
• If your tenancy agreement is for 3 years and you stay for the full period, we won’t ask you to restore the walls to their original colour at the end of your tenancy. However, if your agreement is for less time, then you’ll need to restore the walls to their original colour and condition when you move out

If you want to paint but don’t have time, we would be happy to help. See here for our decorating fees. (linked document – link tbc)

Fixing to Walls

• You can hang pictures, towel and coat hooks and other small items. However, before you get started, please read your tenancy agreement for any restrictions that might apply and check with us.
• Some of the walls are plasterboard, so may have a weight restriction in order to prevent damage

• Very light items such as towel or coat hooks can be fixed to the wall using adhesives, but please note, the bond will only ever be as strong as the paintwork. Also, if you decide to remove the item in the future, you could damage the paintwork or the plasterboard
• Small/light pictures and other small items can also be hung on picture hooks (single or double nail types)
• For heavier pictures and mirrors, we recommend checking with us first and a member of our Maintenance Team can advise as to the best approach.

Fixing to the Floor

You must not fix items to the floor or drill holes in the timber floor surface.

Moving Furniture

If you want to move furniture around within your home you are welcome to do so. However, you must return all items to the right places at the end of the tenancy. We can give you a quick reminder of where everything was or please refer to the inventory prepared at the beginning of your tenancy.

Heating Controls

There is a programmable thermostat for heating and hot water in each home. In studios and 1 bed homes, it’s on the wall in the living room. In 2, 3 and 4 bed homes, it’s in the corridor.

You can also control heat levels in each room using the thermostatic radiator valves on each radiator.

If the room where the thermostat is located is warmer than the thermostat setting, the radiators will not heat up in any room.

Towel Rails

The heated towel rails will operate when the apartment heating is operated.

If you wish to use the towel rail at other times, use the override switch. It will turn on the rail for 90 minutes.

Ventilation

The heat recovery ventilation system, installed in the service cupboard, provides your home with fresh air whilst removing moisture and odours. The system recovers heat from the extracted air and re-introduces it into the supply air path.

The system has been set up to operate at a slow, ‘trickle’ rate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is the most efficient way of operating. However, the system automatically boosts when the bathroom light is on, to help remove moisture created by showers and baths.

You can also boost it using a switch in the corridor. The boost function is on a timer and will automatically switch off after 30 minutes.

Please do not turn off or disconnect the ventilation unit as this will lead to poor air quality.

Tip: Use the boost function when you are cleaning or cooking, or if you are drying clothes in the bathroom.

Windows

To open a window:

• Gently turn the window handle towards you from 3 o’clock to 6 o’clock. The window will open outwards. The windows are fitted with a safety catch, to allow the windows to open to a safe amount. This restrictor must not be removed or tampered with.

To close a window:

• Gently pull the window towards you and turn the handle from 6 o’clock to 3 o’clock.

Balcony Doors:

To open a balcony door:

• To open the balcony door, gently rotate the handle 180 degrees and slide the door open.

Please also check that the balcony door tracks are free of debris, items or dust. We recommend that these are hoovered weekly, to help with the smooth opening and closing of the door.

To close a balcony door:

• Do the same in reverse.

The larger balcony doors can feel heavy to open, should you need a demonstration of how to open the doors, please do not hesitate to contact your Resident hosts or Relationship Manager, who will be happy to assist you.