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TheDioceseofSodorandMan
Livinginaparsonage-makingtheVicarageyourhome
ThirdEdition2016(arevisionofthe1stedition2013)
Pleasekeepthiswhereyoucanreadilyrefertoit,
andleaveitinplainviewintheStudyuponvacatingtheproperty.
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Contents1. Foreword 42. Introduction 53. Responsibilities 64. WorkinginPartnership 75. ProvisionandDisposalofParsonages 86. Standards 9
a. TheStudy 9b. KitchensandUtilityRooms 9c. Bathrooms,toiletsandcloakrooms 10d. Bedrooms 10e. Lofts 10f. CareoftheGarden 11g. Trees 11h. Outbuildings,structuraladditionsandlandscaping 11i. TVaerials 11j. SatelliteDishes 12
7. LivinginaParsonage 13a. Insurance 13b. Rates 13c. Telephone 13 d. GasandElectricity 14e. Water 14f. Security 14g. SmokeandCarbonMonoxideDetectors 14h. BusinessUseofaParsonageHouse 15i. ParishOffice 15j. Improvements 15k. NeglectofHouses 15l. Animals 15
8. TriennialandVacancyInspections 169. Maintenance,ImprovementandRepairs:WorktotheVicarage 17
a. StandardofWork 17b. HealthandSafetyatWork 17c. InfestationandRot 17 d. Rainwatergoods 18e. Cracks 18f. ExternalDecorations 18g. PVCuDoorsandGlazing 18h. CentralHeatingandGasAppliances 19i. InteriorDecoration 19j. Curtains,BlindsandCurtaintracks 19
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k. Carpets 20l. Condensation 20
10. Emergencies 21a. Breakins 21b. Gasleaks 21c. Boilersandcentralheating 21d. Burstpipesandplumbing 21e. ElectricalFailure 21f. Intruderalarmmalfunction 22g. Brokenwindows 22h. Stormdamagetopropertyortrees 22
11. Vacancies 23a. LeavingtheHouse 23b. Churchwardens’duties 24c. FinancialMatters 25d. LettingaParsonageHouse 25
12. EmergencyNumbers 26
APPENDIX 29
ExtractfromtheEcclesiasticalOffices(TermsofService(IsleofMan))Regulations2012
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1.
ForewordbytheChairofthePropertyCommittee,theArchdeaconofMan
Ourstartingpointisthataparsonageisprovidedprimarilyfortheminister(andtheirfamily)toliveincomfortably,safelyandaffordably.Thismeansthatitcannotbeexpectedthattheparsonagebeusedforchurchmeetings,whateverlocalcustomhasbeen,exceptatthegraceandfavouroftheminister.Weaskallchurchmemberstorespectthedecisionofeachnewminister.Italsomeansthatwearecommittedtoensuringthatallclergyfamiliescanenjoyprivacyintheirhomeatalltimes.
Whilstitisaprivilegeandavaluablebenefittohaveaccommodationprovidedasahomeandabaseforministry,werealisethattheexperienceoflivingina‘tiedhouse’isneverthesameaslivinginapropertyyouown.Therearelimitationsandtherecanbefrustrations,andwewilldoourbesttotakeaccountoftheseaswecarryoutourresponsibilities.
Thecare,comfortandsafetyofourministersandtheirfamiliesisparamountintheDioceseofSodorandMan.InallthingsParochialChurchCouncils(PCCs),churchwardens,diocesanstaff,agentsoftheCommitteeandcontractorsareexpectedtoaddvaluetotheparsonagesinorderthatwehaveahappyteamofministersreleasedfromthecaresofprovidingshelterforthemselvesandtheirfamiliesinordertoenabletheChurchtobetheChurch.
Housingplaysavitalpartintheministryofclergyandotheroffice-holdersinourdiocese,anditisourintentiontoensurethataKingdomvalueofgenerosityisexercisedinalldealingswithparsonageswhicharetheresponsibilityoftheBoard.
TothisendthePropertyCommitteewilldoallwecantoensurethatthosewhooccupyparsonagehousesfeelassecureandascomfortableaspossibleintheirhome,andknowthatanefficientserviceisonhandwhenthingsgowrongorhelpisrequired.
Wemaintainourproperties,ofcourse,withintheconstraintsofthebudgetallocatedtousbyDiocesanSynod,andweareveryconsciousoftheneedtoexercisegoodstewardshipofthisbygivingprioritytothemostessentialworkandgettingthebestvalueformoneywhenitiscarriedout.Wetrytokeepacloseeyeonwhetherourhousingstockcontinuestomeettheneedsofmissionandministry.
Iamverygratefultothose17dioceseswholetmehavesightoftheirownParsonageHandbooks,andthose(acknowledgedattheend)wholetmedrawontheirexperiencedirectlyincompilingthisGuide,toHeatherPaisleywhoproofreadthisdocumentandtoKenGumbley,formerDiocesanRegistrar,forhispainstakingtroubleincheckingthetextandpagination-andthatIkepttoManxChurchLaw.Allmistakesandtyposaremyownwork.
Ourhopeandprayeristhateveryoneinvolvedinthecareofparsonagehouses,includingthosewholiveinthem,willworktogetherhappilyandeffectivelyforthesakeofGod’sKingdom.
Withmyprayerfulbestwishes,
TheVenerableAndrewBrown
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2.
Introduction
Priorto1stJanuary2013,whentheEcclesiasticalOffices(TermsofService)Measure2009cameintoforceintheDioceseofSodorandMan,maintenanceandupkeepoftheparsonageswerelegallytheresponsibilityofincumbents,butwereinpracticeundertakenbytheParochialChurchCouncils(PCCs)underthesupervisionoftheDiocesanBoardofFinance(DBF).
On1stJanuary2013allparsonagesweretransferredtotheDBF,whichbecameresponsiblefortheirrepair.(Inthecaseofincumbentsinpostonthatdate,thetransfertookeffectonthedatethenewTermsofServiceappliedtothem).
TheDBF’sfunctionsinrelationtoparsonagesareexercisedonitsbehalfbyitsPropertyCommittee,whichischairedbytheArchdeacon.TheDBFappointsaDiocesanSurveyortoadvisetheCommitteeontherepairandmaintenanceofparsonagesandtocarryoutinspections.
Thisguideistoinformclergyandtheirfamilies,aswellaschurchwardensandPCCsaboutarrangementsforoccupyingandcaringforparsonagesintheDioceseofSodorandMan.Thisguidealsoapplies,withanynecessarymodifications,tolaypersonswhoholdofficeunderCommonTenureandareentitledtoliveinahouseprovidedbytheChurch.Referencesto“parsonages”includeotherhousesofresidenceprovidedbytheDBF,e.g.forretiredclergy,teamvicarsandlayworkers.
Aswellasexplainingthelegalpositionandtheresponsibilitiesoftheoccupantinrespectoftheparsonagehouse,itofferspracticalinformationandadvice.ThePropertyCommitteeseekstoensurethatallparsonagesofferedtostipendiaryclergyarewithinasimilarrangeofstandardofbuildquality,décorandfittingsi.e.thereisamaximumstandardaswellasaminimumstandard,quiteapartfrombudgetaryconstraints.
Inanymatterrelatingtothestructureofparsonagehouses,thefirstpointofcontactistheDiocesanSurveyor.
Mattersrelatingtothelegalpositionandresponsibilitiesoftheoccupant,shouldbereferredtotheArchdeacon.
IncompilingandwritingthisGuideithasn’talwaysbeenimmediatelyapparentastowhetherasubsectionbelongstoonecategoryoranotherorseveral,butanattempthasbeenmadeatsomesortofsequence,andtoavoidrepetitionasfaraspossible.Therefore,ifyoucan’tfindsomethingwhereyouthinkitoughttobe,itmaysimplybethatIthoughtitbettersomewhereelse!Pleasecheckwiththecomprehensive“Contents”sectionatthefront.ThismanualshouldalsobereadinconjunctionwiththenewDiocesanHandbookandtheStatementsofParticularsofeachnewcleric.
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3.
Responsibilities
TherespectiveresponsibilitiesoftheDBFandtheoccupantarecontainedinregulations12to15oftheEcclesiasticalOffices(TermsofService)(IsleofMan)Regulations2012,whicharesetoutintheAppendix.Briefly—
TheDBFisresponsiblefor—
(a) keepingthepropertyinrepair;thiscovers—
(i) thestructureandexteriorofthebuildings,includingdoors,windows,drains,guttersandexternalpipes;
(ii) thewalls,fences,gates,drivesanddrainsoftheproperty;
(iii) theinstallationsinthepropertyforthesupplyofwater,gasandelectricity,andforsanitation;
(b) payingallratesleviedontheproperty;
(c) insuringtheproperty.
Theoccupantmust—
(a) keeptheproperty,andanycontentsprovidedbytheDBF,cleanandfreefromdeterioration,withtheexceptionoffairwearandtear;
(b) keepthegardeninareasonablestateofupkeep;
(c) notifytheDBFofanyneedforrepairsassoonasheorshebecomesawareofthem;
(d) payfortherepairofanyuninsureddamagecausedbytheoccupantoramemberofhisorherhouseholdorbyanybreachoftheoccupant’sobligations;
(e) notwithouttheDBF’sconsentusethepropertyexceptasaprivateresidencefortheoccupantandhisorherhousehold;
(f) notmakeanyrepairs,alterationsoradditionstothepropertywithouttheDBF’sconsent;
(g) vacatethepropertywithinonemonthfromthedateonwhichtheoccupantceasestoholdofficeortakesupanewoffice,whicheverissooner,andleavethepropertycleanandtidyandclearofallpersonalpossessionsbelongingtotheoccupantorhisorherhousehold.
Iftheoccupantdies,anymemberofhisorherhouseholdlivinginthepropertymayremaininthepropertyrentfreefor3months,duringwhichtimetheArchdeaconwillofferallpossiblehelpandsupportandnegotiateamutuallyacceptabletimetovacatetheproperty.Clearlythewell-beingofthefamilyrecoveringfromsuchatragedywillbeourparamountconcern.
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4.
WorkinginPartnership
ThePropertyCommitteeworksinpartnershipwithvariousinterestedparties
withclergy
TheCommitteehasresponsibilitytomakethebestuseofdiocesanfundstomaintainparsonages,andthiscanonlybeachievedwiththeco-operationofoccupants.Thoughmostclergyoccupythehousebyvirtueoftheiroffice,theyandtheirfamiliesare‘custodians’ofthehouseforthemselvesandfutureoccupants.Theyarerequiredtotakereasonablecareoftheirhomes,keepingthemcleanandingooddecorativeorder.Theirresponsibilitiesareoutlinedabove,andincludee.g.theclearingofgutters(wheresafetodoso–seebelow),minorinternaldecoration,andsmallhouseholdrepairs(e.g.replacingtapwashers).Thegardenshouldbekeptinreasonableconditionwithgrassandhedgescutandpathsclearedofmossandweeds.
withPCCs
PCCsareaskedtosupporttheirclergyinthecareoftheparsonage.Helpwithsmallorroutinejobscanbeextremelyvaluable.Duringavacancy,therewillbeaspecialresponsibilitytolookafterthehouse,andchurchwardenswillusuallybeexpectedtoholdthekeys(see‘Vacancies’page21).AdviceandobservationsabouthousingfromthePCCarealwayswelcome,viatheArchdeacon.
Inthecaseofnon-parochialappointments,theDBFnormallytakesonthesameresponsibilitiesasaPCC.
ClergyshouldcontacttheDiocesanSurveyorifproblemsarisewiththeirhousesandtheArchdeaconiftherearefactorstheythinkshouldbebroughttotheattentionoftheCommittee.
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5.
ProvisionandDisposalofParsonages
TheDBFhas,withinthelimitsofavailablefinance,aresponsibilitytoconsiderthereplacementofunsuitablehousesandtoprovidehousestomeetnewpastoralneeds.TheDBFservesnoticeonthePCCandthepatronandobtains,ifnecessary,theapprovaloftheChurchCommissionersforsuchproposals.UnderCommonTenureclergyoccupyingaparsonagehavetherighttoobjecttothedisposaloftheparsonage.ThePCCandthepatronhaveasimilarright.AnyobjectionistobereferredtotheChurchCommissionersfortheIsleofMan,whomayvetothetransaction.
Whenitbuildsnewhouses,orupgradesexistinghouses,theCommitteeendeavourstomeetthestandardssuggestedbytheChurchCommissionersforEnglandintheirpublication“Parsonages–ADesignGuide”,knownwidelyasthe“GreenGuide”,butthisisconditionedtosomeextentbyfundsavailableandvariationsagreedbytheCommittee.
ThisdocumentcanbefoundontheChurchofEnglandwebsite:
https://www.churchofengland.org/clergy-office-holders/pastoralandclosedchurches/pastoral/parsdesign.aspx
(IfyoufindthisguideonlineontheArchdeacon’spageofthediocesanwebsite,thenyouwillfindthisurlasanactivehyperlinkwhichwilltakeyoudirectlytotheGreenGuide.)
IfyouareunhappyaboutorhaveotherquestionsabouttheconditionsofaparsonagehouseyouareoccupyingorareresponsibleforyoushouldcontacttheArchdeacon.
PleaserememberthattheCommitteeandtheDBFhavetotakeintoaccountawiderangeoffactors,someofwhichmaybeconfidential,inconsideringpresentandfuturehousingprovision.Furthermorewemustalwayshaveaneyetothenextfamilytoliveinthathouse,aswellasanyparticularneedsandwishesyourfamilymayhave.
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6.
Standards
a.TheStudy
Thisisprimarilytheplacewheretheministerworks,studies,praysandpreparesandisnotprovidedforanyparishmeetingsexceptatthegraceandfavouroftheIncumbent.
Itshouldcomplywiththe“GreenGuide”asfaraspossible,especiallyforparochialclergy.
ThecurrentGreenGuidestandardminimumsize(inanewbuild)foraminister’sStudyis20m2foraStudywhererobesandofficeequipmentarekept.Ifalternativeandequallyconvenientstorageprovisionismadethismaybe18m2.Wewillbeseekingtoapplythisstandardtoallstudiesinthefutureifphysicallyandfinanciallypossible.
TheGreenGuideproposesthataccessmustbedistinctandprivatefromthelivingquarters,welllitandvisiblefromwithin.Furthermoreaccessshouldbewheelchair-friendly.
Thereshouldalsobeaccesstoatoilet,whichisalsoprivatefromthelivingquarters.
TheCommitteeundertakestoprovideupto30mofadjustablespurtypeshelvingfitforpurposeofkeepingtheologicalbooksandworkingfilesingoodorder.Clergymayprovidemoreattheirownexpense,butshouldtakecarenottodamagewallsorelectricalfittingsindoingsoandmustmakegoodwallsetc.uponvacatingtheproperty.Inthecaseswhereanextensiveworkinglibraryisafeatureofaspecificministry(e.g.C.M.D.Adviser)theCommitteemayagreetofundextrashelving.
TheCommitteeisresponsibleforfloorcoveringsintheStudyandanentrancehallwherebythepublicgainsaccesstotheStudy.Wemayalsoconsiderblindsforthewindows,especiallywherethosewindowsmaybelargerormoreofthemthanmightbefoundinadomesticcontext.
b.KitchensandUtilityRooms
WhenrefurbishingakitchenorbathroomtheCommitteewillinvitetheoccupantstochoosefittingsanddesignelementsfromwithinastandardrange.TheDiocesanSurveyorcangivedetailsofthese.
Replacementofkitchenunitswillgenerallyonlybeconsideredataninterregnumbecauseofthedisturbancecausedduringinstallation.
Refacingfrontsandreplacingworktopsmayprovideamoreeconomicalternative.
TheDBFwillprovidevinylfloorcoveringstokitchensandutilityrooms.
TheDBFwillprovideabasic,stand-alonecooker(twoovensandfourringhob)inwhite.IfanIncumbentwishestoimproveonthistheydosoinnegotiationwiththeArchdeacon,attheirownexpenseandtheequipmentremainsbeneficepropertyupontheirdeparture.
TheCommitteewillprovideconnectionsforautomaticwashingmachinesanddishwashers.Theequipmentistheresponsibilityoftheoccupant.
Tumbledryers(exceptcondensingdryers)needtobeventedtoopenair.OwnersshouldsupplytheventingkitandtheDiocesanSurveyorwillarrangefortherelevantapertureforfittingtobecut.
Careshouldbetakentomaintainallelectricalequipmentingoodconditionsoastopreventdamagetobeneficeproperty.
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c.Bathrooms,toiletsandcloakrooms
Alltilesandsanitarywareinstalledhenceforthwillbewhite.
Modernbathsandshowertraysareusuallymanufacturedfromacrylic(atypeofplastic).Thismaterialisverydurableandcolourfast.However,thehighglossfinishtothebathcanbepermanentlydamagedbycarelessnessorbyusingunsuitablecleaningmaterials.Pleasedonotusescouringpowder,wirewoolorbleachagentstocleanbathroomfittings.
TheCommitteeaimtoprovideatleastoneshowerineachproperty.Newshowerswillbepoweredandconsiderationwillbegivenattriennialandinterregnuminspectionstothereplacingofexisting“ordinary”showerswherethisiswarranted.
Atanearlyopportunityextractorfanswillbeprovidedinallbathandshowerroomsandwhenfittedtheseshouldbeusedappropriately.
TheDBFwillprovidevinylfloorcoveringstoallbathroomsandtoilets.
d.Bedrooms
Aparsonageshouldhaveatleastfourbedrooms,twoofwhichshouldbedoubles.
Itisdesirablethatthemainbedroomhaveanensuitebath/showerroomandloo,butnotessential.
ItissimilarlydesirablethatonebedroombedesignatedasaGuestRoomandbeequippedwithawashbasinatleast;thismaybeusedbytheparsonagefamilyontheunderstandingthatitspriorpurposeistobeaGuestRoom.
IftheoccupantwishestoinstallfittedfurnitureattheirownexpensetheymaydosoonlywiththeconsentoftheCommittee,pleasespeaktotheArchdeacon.IfthefittingistoberemovedupondeparturethepropertymustbemadegoodattheexpenseoftheoccupantbeforethepropertyisvacatedandtothesatisfactionoftheDiocesanSurveyorortheArchdeacon.
Theoccupantoftheparsonageshouldprovidesuitablefloorcoveringstothreebedrooms,andtheCommitteewillprovidecarpetforone,presumablythemain,bedroomandthelandingandstairs(seealso‘Carpets’,p.21)althoughiftherearemorethan4bedroomssomeconsiderationmaybegiventocarpetingtheextraatthediscretionoftheArchdeaconanddependingoncurrentfundsavailabletotheDBF.
e.Lofts
TheCommitteeexpectstoprovideadequateloftinsulation.Whenexistinginsulationislessthan100mmthickthiswillbeupgradedtomeetcurrentstandards(i.esuitablematerialswhichasof2015givefortherelevantstructure,aU-valueofnotlessthan0.25W/m2k)atthetimeoftriennialorinterregnuminspection.
TheCommitteeundertakestoprovideelectriclightingandaccessladderstoalllofts.
Partialboardingwillbeprovidedwhereroofconstructionissuitableandwhereaccessisrequiredformaintenance.Providingaccessformaintenanceisnotobstructed,thisboardedareamaybeusedforstorage.
N.B.theroofspacesofmoderntrussedrafterconstructionshouldNOTbeusedforstoragebecauseofthedesignloadingoftherooftrusses.IfindoubtpleaseconsultwiththeDiocesanSurveyor.
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f.CareoftheGarden
Ingeneral,careofthegardenistheresponsibilityoftheoccupant.Clergyandotherswhodon’thavequiteasmuchskillorenthusiasmmaywellappreciateoffersofhelpfrom‘green-fingered’parishioners!
AtatimeofinspectionorvacancyifgardensareconsideredunkemptandovergrowntheArchdeaconmayauthorizeremedialworktobeundertakenbycontractorsandthecostmaybechargedtotheoccupantorformeroccupant.
Paths,gatesandboundaryfences(otherthanroutineclearingandcleaning)aretheresponsibilityoftheCommittee.
Hedgesareordinarilytheresponsibilityoftheoccupant,buttheCommitteemaybewillingtoconsiderextraordinaryhelpifhedgesareovergrownuponanewminister’sarrival,orinotherspecialcasese.g.excessivelengthofhedges,say,above200metres.
Hedgesshouldbekepttoaneasilymanageableheight,saybetween1.2–1.5m(4and5feet)highandupto0.6–1m(2–3feet)deep,andtheArchdeaconshouldbeinformedofanygapse.g.duetodeathofapartofthehedge.
g.Trees
ThecuttingdownorloppingoftreeswithintheparsonagegroundsistheresponsibilityofthePropertyCommittee.Wewilldoourbesttoinspectthem,butitistheresponsibilityoftheoccupanttoreportanyconcernsovertheconditionofthetreestotheDiocesanSurveyor.
ItshouldbenotedthattreesmayberegisteredundertheTreePreservationAct1993,inwhichcasethelicenceoftheDepartmentofEnvironment,FoodandAgricultureisrequiredbeforeanyworktothemisundertaken.OccupantsshouldseektheadviceoftheDiocesanSurveyoriftheyareunsure.
Newtreesshouldnotbeplantedneartotheparsonagehouse.Poorlysitedtreescancausedamagetothestructureoftheproperty,thedrainsorboundarywalls/fences.Rememberthecrownofthetreeroughlyequatestothesizeofitsrootsystem.Dorememberthatwhatmaybeadelightfultreetotheownercanbearealproblemtoaneighbourwholoseslightandhastoclearleavesfromtheirproperty.
Caremustbetakenwhenremovingtrees.Sometrees,incertainsoils,ifremovedtooquickly,cancausestructuraldamageby‘groundheave’.
AdviceontreeworkisavailablefromtheDiocesanSurveyor
h.outbuildings,structuraladditionsandlandscaping
Existingoutbuildingsonbeneficeproperty(e.g.agarageoragardenshed)remainthepropertyoftheDBFandaretobetreatedaspartoftheVicaragei.e.noworkistobeundertakenotherthanwiththesamepermissionsastheVicarageitself.Similarlynoadditionaloutbuildings,landscapingfeaturesorstructures(e.g.gardensheds,patios,chickencoops,fishponds)aretobeintroducedanywhereonbeneficepropertywiththepermissionofthePropertyCommittee.
i.TVAerials
TheCommitteeiscommittedtoprovidingoneTVaerialtoeachproperty.
TVsandallauxillaryequipmentremaintheresponsibilityoftheoccupants.
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Careshouldbetakentomaintainallelectricalequipmentingoodconditionsoastopreventdamagetobeneficeproperty.
j.TVSatelliteDishes
TheseshouldonlybefittedtoapropertyinadiscreetplaceontheexternalwallsandthesitingbroadlyapprovedbytheDiocesanSurveyorortheArchdeacon;althoughweunderstandthattheinstallationengineermayhavedifferentideas–ifthesevarybymorethanafewmetres,theDiocesanSurveyorortheArchdeaconmustbeconsulted.
ItisfittedontheunderstandingthatwhenthepropertyisvacatedtheCommitteemayexpectthatthedeviceberemovedandallmakinggoodisundertakentotheArchdeacon’sorDiocesanSurveyor’ssatisfactionandattheoccupier’sexpense.Thesameappliestospecialistradioantenna.
Anydamagecausedtoapropertyasaconsequenceoffittingsuchdevicesistheresponsibilityoftheoccupier.
Alloftheaboveappliestospecialistradioantennae.
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7.
LivinginaParsonage
a.Insurance
AllparsonagesforwhichtheDiocesanDBFofFinancehasresponsibilityareinsuredunderacomprehensivepolicy.However,theDBFonlyinsuresthebuildings,andnotthecontents.Occupantsmustmaketheirownarrangementsforthecontentsofthehouse.
IfdamagetothefabricoccurstheDiocesanSurveyorshouldbenotifiedassoonaspossible.Itisaconditionoftheinsurancethatifthedamagewasmaliciousthelocalpolicearetobeinformed.
Dependingonthenatureofthedamageitmaybenecessarytocarryoutemergencyrepairs.Wherepossible,theDiocesanSurveyorshouldbecontactedfirst.
Inordertoconsideran insuranceclaim,the Insurerswill requireaclearly itemisedwrittenestimate,abriefdescriptionofhowthedamageoccurred,thedateoftheoccurrence,and,ifappropriate,thecommentsoftheArchdeaconandtheDiocesanSurveyor.
AllinsuranceclaimsagainsttheblockpolicymustbemadethroughtheDiocesanDBFofFinance(contacttheDiocesanTreasurer).Allsuccessfulclaimsagainsttheblockpolicyaresubjecttoanexcesscharge.Forclaimsresultingfromaccidentaldamageitmaybeappropriatethattheexcesschargebebornelocally.Pleasenotethatclaimsforthelossortheftofhousekeysandthesubsequentreplacementoflocksaretobemadeontheoccupant'shouseholdpoliciesandnotonthebuildinginsurance.
Ifotherworkisbeingcarriedoutatthesametimeasinsurancework,thencaremustbetakentoensurethatonlytheinsuranceworkischargedtotheinsurer,ofcourse,andthatapriordecisionhasbeenmadewitheithertheDiocesanSurveyorortheArchdeaconastowhoisliablefortheotherwork.
Itshouldbenotedthatonahouseexpectedtobevacantformorethanthirtydays,theinsurancecoverwillbereduced.
Itisarequirementofourpolicythatduringvacanciesthehousemustbecheckeddailyfordamageandsecurity.
b.Rates
ThepaymentoftheseistheresponsibilityoftheDBF.
c.Telephone
TheDBFwillprovideatelephoneandbroadbandinternetconnectiontothehouse.Atthetimeoftheinitialinstallationtelephonesocketpointswillbefittedasfollows:oneintheStudy,oneelsewhereonthegroundfloorandathirdoneatthediscretionoftheoccupant.
RentalandotherchargesaretheresponsibilityofthePCC,togetherwithcostsofinstallationofanyadditionaltelephoneequipmentandbroadbandinternet.TheCommitteeexpectsthatPCCswillcoverthecostofallbusinesstelephoneandinternetcharges,showingagreatdealofgenerositytowardstheirincumbents,astheclergycanscarcelyfunctioninthemodernworldwithouttelephonesandemailsetc.
Similarnegotiationstowardsthesupportofclergyuseofmobilephonesmayalsobe
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consideredgenerouslyandsupportivelybyPCCs,giventheextremelyhighcostofsuchequipmentontheIsleofMan.NB:dataroamingshouldbeswitchedoffatalltimesinviewofitshighcostparticularlywhenoutsidetheIsleofMan:failuretodosoislikelytoresultintheincumbentbeingliableforthecost.
Duringavacancy,thePCCpaysthetelephoneaccountuntilanewappointmentismade.Thiscanberefundedviathesequestrationaccount.
IfpossiblethePCCshouldtakethetelephoneinitsownname,thusavoidingdifficultiesatvacancies.Theoccupant’snameshould,however,beinsertedintheManxTelephoneDirectory.
d.GasandElectricity
Thecostoftheseistheresponsibilityoftheoccupant,butifaparsonageisusedforworke.g.aStudyforpreparationandadministration,andmeetingsintheStudyorelsewhere,thenclergyshouldclaimagainsttheirtaxforheating,lightingandcleaning.
e.Water
LeadwaterpipesareunacceptableandwillbereplacedatanearlyopportunitybytheCommittee.
TheWaterAuthoritymaybeaskedtoascertainthenatureofconnectingpipes.
IftheoccupanthasanyconcernspleasespeaktoeithertheDiocesanSurveyorortheArchdeacon.
f.Security
ThePropertyCommitteewillensurethatparsonagesaremadesecuretoareasonablestandardandthesatisfactionoftheministerandtheirfamily.
Basicsecuritymeasuresthatwewouldexpecttoprovideinallhousesare:
• windowlockstogroundfloorwindows• fivelevermorticelockstoentrancedoors• externalsecuritylightswithmotionsensors
Ifanintruderalarmsystemisfitted,theDBFisresponsibleforitsmaintenance,howeveritisnotthepolicyoftheDBFtofitintruderalarmsinallparsonagesduetotheverylowlevelofcrimeagainstpropertyontheislandatthistime.
IfyouhaveconcernsaboutParsonagesecurity,pleasecontacttheDiocesanSurveyorinthefirstinstance.
g.SmokeandCarbonMonoxideDetectors
TheCommitteeundertakestofitsmokedetectors/alarmsintheirhouses.
Wewillfitcarbonmonoxidedetectors/alarmsinhouseswithgasandsolidfuelfireswhereadvisedbytheDiocesanSurveyororthechimneysweeporgasengineers.
OccupantsareresponsiblefornotifyingtheDiocesanSurveyoriftheypresentlydonothaveasmokedetector/alarmandiftheyfeeltheirpropertyshouldbefittedwithacarbonmonoxidedetector/alarm.
Itistheresponsibilityoftheoccupanttoensureappropriatebatteriesarefittedandthe
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detectorsarecheckedregularly.
h.BusinessUseofaParsonageHouse
Ifamemberoftheoccupant’shouseholdwishestocarryonatradeorbusinessofanytypefromtheproperty,heorshemustfirstobtainthewrittenconsentoftheArchdeacononbehalfoftheDBF.Thisisbecausesomeactivitiesmaybedetrimentaltothestateofthehouseoraffectrelationswithneighbours,theworkofthechurch,thereputationofthechurchorministerortheinsuranceoftheproperty.Anychangeofusemayrequireplanningapproval.NocostsincurredfromsuchbusinessactivityispayablebytheDBF.
i.ParishOffice
ThelocationofaParishOffice(asdistinctfromtheminister’sStudy)inaParsonageisstronglydiscouragedbytheCommittee.Theparsonageandgrounds,includingthedrivesandanyoffroadparkingprovision,isintendedtobetheprivatehomeoftheministerandfamily.Anyusebytheparishorwiderchurchisbythegraceandfavourofeachminister,andmustbediscussedwiththeArchdeaconaswellastheministerandfamily.Anysuchagreedusewillbesubjecttoperiodicreviewandcannotbeimposedontheminister’ssuccessors.
j.Improvements
Improvementsarenormallycarriedoutfollowingthetriennialandvacancyinspections.ImprovementworkissubjecttotheavailabilityoffundsandtheCommittee’sapproval.TheCommittee,workingwithinitsfinancialconstraints,endeavourstoimproveolderparsonagestothecurrentstandard,althoughinsomehousesthisisnotpracticable.
OccupantsmustnotattemptanyD.I.Y.improvementswithouttheconsentoftheArchdeaconandtheDiocesanSurveyor,andmustneverattemptanywhichaffectutilities,centralheatingandinternallayout.
AnyimprovementworkputinhandwithoutpriorapprovaloftheArchdeaconandtheDiocesanSurveyorwillnotbefundedandtheoccupantmaybeheldliabletorestorethepropertytoitspriorcondition.
k.NeglectofHouses
Wearepleasedthatvirtuallyalloccupantslookaftertheirhousesandkeepthemingooddecorativeorder.Inveryrarecases,though,itisevidentthatreasonablecarehasnotbeentaken,andinthesecircumstances,afterinspectionbytheArchdeaconandDiocesanSurveyor,theCommitteemaychargetheoccupantthecostofworkrequiredtobringituptoanacceptablestandard.
l.Animals
Occupantsareentitledtokeeppetsinthehouseandgarden,butareexpectedtoshowcommonsenseandconsiderationofothersandthepropertyandgroundsintheirchoiceofanimals.
TheCommitteeisnotresponsibleforanyfencingorenclosuresneeded,butaretobeconsultedabouttheirconstructiononbeneficeproperty.Anysuchbuiltmustberemovedbeforevacatingthepropertyandanydamagetotheparsonagehouseorlandmadegoodattheexpenseoftheoccupantwhofittedorhadthemfitted.
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8.
TriennialandVacancyInspections
HousesareinspectedeverythreeyearsbytheDiocesanSurveyor,andwhenavacancyistobefilled.(Itishopedthatasweraisethestandardofparsonagesoverthenextfewyearsthatwemaybeabletoreducethistoevery4or5years).
Reasonableattemptswillbemadetocontacttheoccupantsandgiveatleastoneweek’snotice.
OccupantsmustmaketheentirebuildingavailableandaccessibletotheDiocesanSurveyor.Failuretodosocouldresultinoccupantsbeingchargedforareturnvisittocompletethesurvey.
ThereportisforwardedtotheArchdeacononbehalfoftheCommittee,andacopyissenttotheoccupant(inthecaseofatriennialinspection)orthechurchwardens(inthecaseofavacancy).
TheCommitteereservestherighttodelayorbringforwardaTriennialInspection.
Housesthatareconsideredunsuitableandonthecurrentlistforreplacementwillnotnormallyqualifyforanyimprovementworks.
ParochialclergyshouldsharethecontentsoftheTriennialInspectionreportwiththePCC.Commentsareinvitedonthereport,specificationandanyimprovementsthatmightbeconsidered.Ifnocommentsarereceivedinwritingwithinfourweeks,theDiocesanSurveyorwillputtheworkinhand.
TheDiocesanSurveyorwilltrytomakeasupervisoryvisittothesitewhileworkisinprogress.Problemsorconcernsshouldbereportedtohimtoallowhimtorelaythesetothecontractors.
TheDiocesanSurveyorhasbeeninstructedthatwhentriennial/vacancyworksarecompletedheshould,whereverpossible,inspecttheminthepresenceoftheoccupantandthecontractor.TheresponsibilityremainswiththeDiocesanSurveyortoensurethatthescheduleofworksiscompletedsatisfactorily.Theoccupantcan,however,politelypointouttotheDiocesanSurveyorareasofworkfelttobesub-standardorincomplete.
Incasesofdispute,theDiocesanSurveyorwillcarryoutaninspectionofthedisputedworkandmakeadecision.IfthisisnotconclusiveDiocesanSurveyorwillasktheArchdeaconand/orothermembersofthePropertyCommitteetovisitandcometoadecision.
Acontractor’sperformancereportwillbeissuedtotheoccupantforcompletionandreturningtotheDiocesanSurveyor.ThiswillassistthePropertyCommitteeinmonitoringtheworkofthecontractorsetc.
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9.
Maintenance,ImprovementandRepairs:WorktotheVicarage
N.B.Non-urgentexpendituremustnotbeincurredwithouttheCommittee’spriorapproval.
Clergyhaveanongoingresponsibilitytolookafterthehouse,andtokeepitingoodorderbetweenTriennialinspectionsandtoensurethatroutinerepairsarecarriedout,asindicatedbelow.Furthertothis,maintenanceandimprovementworkwillgenerallybeundertakenwhenthehouseisvacantasfaraspossible,butmaybeconsequentuponaTriennialInspection.
a.Standardofwork
SuggestionsofgoodcontractorsarealwayswelcomeandmaybereferredtotheDiocesanSurveyorandtheArchdeacon.Wewillalsowelcomecommentsonthestandardofworksdone,thepromptnessandreliability,generalattitudeandmanners,ofcontractors.
InmajorworkstheDiocesanSurveyor,andonlyhe,willberesponsiblefordrawingupcontracts,specifying,tenderingandtakingontheroleofClerkofWorks.Hewillsignoffonaprojectandauthorizepayments.Allconcernstheoccupiersmayhaveshouldbereferredtohim.
Inthecaseofminorworkswerelyontheoccupiers,specificallytheminister,tokeeptheArchdeaconandDiocesanSurveyorfullyinformedandtotellusthatworkhasbeencompletedtoyoursatisfactionbeforeweauthorizepayment.
b.HealthandSafetyatWork
AllcontractorsworkingfortheDBFdosowithinthecurrentHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations.Occupantsareaskedtotakeextracareofthemselves,theirchildrenandtheirpets,whencontractorsarepresentinthehouse.TheDiocesanSurveyorshouldbecontactedforadviceonanyHealthandSafetyatWorkmatters.
c.InfestationandRot
Infestation
Infestationbyrats,lice,waspsorotherpestsshouldbereportedtothelocalauthority,andtheDiocesanSurveyor,byemail,asquicklyaspossible.Treatmentofpestsandinfestationistheresponsibilityoftheoccupantunlessitwillaffectthestructureandfittingsoftheproperty,orworkbeingundertakentoit.
Rot
Fungalgrowthorothersigns(especiallysmell)ofsuspectedrotshouldbereportedwithoutdelaytotheDiocesanSurveyorandtheArchdeacon.
Woodworm
Itisexpectedthatoccupantswillexaminetheirownbelongingsforwoodwormbeforeintroducingthemintoaparsonage.Thereafter,occupantsmustkeepaneyeopenfornewandactivewoodwormoutbreaksintheirfurnitureortheparsonage’sfittingsandstructure,andinformtheDiocesanSurveyorimmediatelyupondetectingsuspicioussigns.
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d.Rainwatergoods
Gutters,downspoutsanddrainsshouldbekeptclearandrunningfreelyandsmalljobs(e.g.changingtapwashersetc.)shouldbeundertakenonaDIYbasisorarrangedattheincumbent’sexpense.Theclearingofguttersanddownspouts,especiallyathigherlevel,willordinarilybetheresponsibilityoftheCommittee.Theoccupantmustmakeeveryefforttokeepdrainsatgroundlevelclear.
Ifitisnecessarytousealaddertogainaccessforrepairs(e.g.cleaningguttersorsimilar),occupantsshouldgivecarefulregardtotheirownsafetyandshouldnotleanladdersagainstplasticguttering.
GuttersatupperstoreyrooflevelaretheresponsibilityoftheCommitteetohaveclearedandtomaintain,buttheoccupantisresponsibleforcheckingtheirstateandreportinganyblockagestotheDiocesanSurveyorpromptly.
IfsuchworkislikelytoassumesignificantproportionstheDiocesanSurveyorwillvisitandifnecessarymakeareportforthePropertyCommittee’sconsideration.Ifdamageoccursmaliciously,accidentallyorbystormthenitmaybepossibletomakeaninsuranceclaim.
e.Cracks
Finecracksinplasterareusuallyduetoshrinkageandshouldbedealtwithaspartoftheinternaldecorations.
Crackswhichappeartobestructural(e.g.inbrickorstonework,orofgreaterthannormalwidth,usuallyappearingonboththeinnerandotherfacesofthewall)maybeduetostructuralmovementorsubsidenceandshouldbereportedtotheDiocesanSurveyorand/ortheArchdeaconassoonasnoticed.
f.ExternalDecorations
ThisistheresponsibilityoftheCommitteeandisnormallytobecarriedoutonacyclicalbasis.
Occupantsareexpectedtokeepexternalsurfacescleanandfreeofalgaeandotherstaining.Windowsandframesshouldbecleanedregularly.
g.PVCuDoorsandGlazing
Thesefittings,whileofferingvariousadvantagesoversoftwood,dorequireadegreeofcareintheirmaintenance.PVCuwindowsanddoorsdonotrot,warporlosetheircolourinnormaluse.Theycan,however,bepermanentlydamagedbycarelessnessandbyusingunsuitablecleaningmaterials.
DonotstandladdersdirectlyagainstaPVCuwindowsill.Donotuseablowtorchoranyotherveryhotapplianceneartothewindow.Theglazedareasshouldbecleanedasnormalglass.ThePVCusectionshouldbecleanedwithanon-abrasiveliquidcleaner.Donotcleanwithscouringpowder,wirewoolorbleach.
PVCuwindowsordoorsmustnotbepainted,norshouldcurtainfittingsbefitteddirectlytothewindowframe.
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h.CentralHeatingandGasAppliances
GasandoilfiredcentralheatingboilersandgasfiresinparsonagehousesareservicedannuallyattheexpenseoftheDBF.Underthetermsoftheserviceagreement,ifthereisaproblemwiththecentralheatingorgasfiresthefirstcallshouldbetothemaintenancecontractorallocatedtotheparsonage.ThecontractorwillissueaLandlord’sGasSafetyCertificateaftertheannualmaintenancevisit.TheDBFhasnegotiatedamaintenancecontractforallparsonages,andexpectsthecontractortoinvoicetheDBFdirectlytotheDiocesanTreasurer.
Ifthereareanyqueriesinrespectofmaintenancecontracts,pleasecontacttheDiocesanSurveyor.
N.B.AnyworkundertakenbyothercontractorsoncentralheatingsystemsorgasfireswithoutthepriorapprovalofthePropertyCommitteemustbepaidforlocally,andtheArchdeaconinformedbyemail.
i.InteriorDecoration
Ingeneral,interiordecorationistheresponsibilityoftheoccupant,butpleasenotethefollowingpoints:
Parsonagehouseswillbere-decoratedforthearrivalofeachnewminister,asagreedwiththatminister(andfamily,ifapplicable)andtheArchdeacon.
Similarly,workundertakenbythePropertyCommitteeatthepointofthetriennialinspectionwillusuallybeattheexpenseoftheDBF.
TheCommitteehasnowishtodictateinternalcolourschemes,butitdoesrequestthatboldordarkcoloursshouldnotbeappliedtowallsorwoodworkwithoutthespecificconsentoftheArchdeaconasthesecolourscanbemoreexpensivetoapplyandareexpensivetocoveroverandthecostofdoingsoisnottheCommittee’sresponsibility.TheArchdeaconwillonlyconsenttoboldordarkcoloursontheunderstandingthattheoccupantwillagreetohavethewallsconcernedpaintedmattwhite,sufficienttocompletelycoverthecolourapplied.
TheCommitteewishestoencourageclergytokeeptheirhousesreasonablydecoratedandtothisendtheconditionofthedecorwillbeconsideredbytheArchdeaconaftereachtriennialreport.Clergymayre-decoratemorefrequentlyattheirownexpense.Beforeaddingorchangingwallcoverings(e.g.wallpaperortiles)pleasespeakwiththeArchdeacon.
AnyredecorationneededasadirectconsequenceofauthorizedworkswillbeundertakenbythePropertyCommitteeasanintegralpartofthework.Redecorationwillbetoabasicstandard,usingwhiteorpastelcolours,unlesstheoccupantsprovidetheirownwallpaperorothermaterials.
IfredecorationisrequiredasadirectconsequenceofaninsuredeventthentheDiocesanSurveyorshouldbeconsultedsothatthepossibilityofmeetingthecostofremedialredecorationthroughaninsuranceclaimcanbeinvestigated.
j.Curtains,BlindsandCurtaintracks
TheCommitteeundertakestoprovidefunctionalcurtainhangingse.g.curtainrailsortracksatallappropriatewindows.Theseshouldbeleftwhenthepropertyisvacated.
Curtainsorblindsaretheresponsibilityoftheoccupant(s).Wherecurtainshavebeen“inherited”frompreviousoccupierstheymaybedisposedofasthenewoccupantsseefit.
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However,ifthecurtainshavebeenprovidedbythechurchwardensorPCCeitherforsecurityorasagifttotheneworcurrentoccupant,thedonorshouldbeconsultedbeforedisposal.
InthecaseofexceptionallyhighorwideorextensivewindowstheDBFmayconsideragranttowardsallorpartofthecost.SuchcurtainsorblindsremainDBFpropertyandshouldremaininthepropertyuntiltheArchdeaconagreestheyaretobereplaced.
k.Carpets
TheCommitteewillprovidecarpetsorothersuitablefloorcoveringsintheStudy,theaccesstotheStudy,theHallandoneothersuitableroomdownstairsifitistobeusedbytheparishasameetingroom,aswellthemainbedroom,and,iftherearemorethanfourbedrooms,wewillconsiderhelpingwithanyextrabedrooms.OnlythesecarpetswillbeapartoftheTriennialinspection.
Occupantsarenottostick(orallowotherstostick)carpetdirectlytothefloorortoallowfoam-backedcarpettobecomestuckoveraperiodoftime.Fibrousmembraneorotherbarriermaterialmustbeusedasunderlay.
l.Condensation
Modernpropertiessufferfromproblemsduetocondensation.Waterrunningdowntheinsideofthewindowsisobviousevidenceofthis,butithaslessvisibleeffectsaswell.Condensationcanresultindamagetodecorations,mouldgrowth(notalways“blackspot”)onwalls,rottingtimberworkandmouldinclothes.
Usuallyitisnotcausedbystructuralfaults,butthroughincorrectheatingandventilation.
Ventilationisvitalanddoesnotautomaticallycauseheatloss.Comfortisabalancebetweenhumidityandtemperature.Pleaseensurethatalltheyearroundthereisadequateventilationtoallroomstopreventobvioussignsofcondensation(steamedupwindows)andtheinvisiblesigns.Especiallybehindlargeitemsoffurniture,e.g.wardrobes,pleaseensurethatyouleavesufficientroomforairtocirculate.
Wherewedeemitnecessary,theCommitteereservetherighttoinstallextraventilatione.g.airbricks.Thesearetobeleftunrestricted.
Wheredouble-glazingisprovided,thePropertyCommitteerecommendsthatpermanentventilationisincluded.Whereextractorfansareprovidedinkitchensandbathroomstheymustbeusedappropriately.
Sometimesdampproblemsbetokenmuchmoreseriousbuildingmaintenanceproblems,andtheseshouldbereportedtotheDiocesanSurveyorand/ortheArchdeaconifsuspected.
CondensationdamagecanbeveryexpensivetorectifyandthePropertyCommitteecouldviewsuchdamageasneglectonthepartoftheoccupant(seep.15).
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10.
EmergenciesIfanemergencyoccursduringnormalworkinghoursitshouldbereportedtotheDiocesanSurveyorwhowillorganisetheappropriateresponse.
IncircumstancesthatrequireurgentattentionoutofofficehoursandtheDiocesanSurveyorortheArchdeaconisnotavailableforadviceandassistance,theoccupierisauthorizedtocalloutappropriateemergencyservices.
Beforecontactinganemergencycall-outprovider,pleasebearinmindthattheywillchargetheDBFat‘outofhours’rates,whichcanbeveryexpensive.PleaseconsiderwhetherthemattercouldwaituntiltheDiocesanSurveyorcangiveinstructionsduringofficehours
AlistofcurrentcontactnumbersistobefoundattheendofthisGuide.Whilsteveryeffortwillbemadetoensurethatthesenumbersarekeptup-to-date,wemaynotmanagethisoryoumayhaveanoldedition.Anuptodatelistofemergencycall-outnumberscanbefoundonlineattheurladdressesgivenattheendattheendofthisguide.
Wherepossiblethisshouldbecheckedbeforerelyingonthenumbersonthebackofthisbooklet,whichmaybechangedfromtimetotime.
N.B.inappropriateuseofemergencycall-outservicesmaybechargedtotheoccupant.
a.Break-ins
Intheunlikelyeventofabreak-ininformthepoliceandobtainacrimenumber.ThepoliceusuallyhavecontractorswhowillDBFuppropertiesasnecessary.
b.Gasleaks
InformManxGasusingtheGasEmergencyNumberon08081624444.
c.Boilersandcentralheating
Telephonethecontractorresponsiblefortheannualgasmaintenancevisit.IftheyareunavailabletelephonetheDiocesanSurveyor.
d.Burstpipesandplumbing
Ensurethatthewateristurnedoffatthestoptap,andifappropriatecalloutalocalplumber,preferablyfromourrecommendedlistofcontractors,orcontacttheDiocesanSurveyor.
e.Electricalfailure
TheCommitteeiscommittedtoreplacingatanearlyopportunityallfuseboxes,wheretheymaystillbefound,withRCD(circuitbreakers)assoonaspossible.
IftheRCDtripsandfailstore-setonthepowercircuitstothehouseholdplugsocketsthefollowingactionshouldbetaken:
Unplugalldomesticitemsandre-settheswitch.
Ifitfailstore-setanditisconsideredanemergencycontacttheDiocesanSurveyor.Ifitre-sets,pluginindividualitemsuntilthecircuitfails,thiswouldindicateafaultyappliance.
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f.Intruderalarmmalfunction
Ascrimelevelsaresoverylowontheisland,thesearenotusuallyfittedtoourparsonages.Iftheyareandtheymalfunction,pleasecallouttherelevantalarmmaintenancecompany–theyusuallyplaceastickeronthecontrolunit.
g.Brokenwindows
Generally,smallrepairsaretheresponsibilityoftheoccupants,beingseenasreasonabletenants’dutiesalongwithreplacingtapwashers.
Ifamajorordoubleglazedunit,contacttheDiocesanSurveyor.
h.Stormdamagetopropertyortrees
CalltheDiocesanSurveyor.Ifotherpropertiesaredamagedorpassingtrafficorpedestriansareindanger,informthepolice.
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11.
Vacancies
a.Leavingaparsonage
Ifapropertyistobevacated,itisessentialthattheArchdeaconbecontactedassoonasamovingdateisknown.HewillarrangefortheDiocesanSurveyortocarryoutaninspectionofitsconditionwithinafortnightbeforethedateofthemoveandtoagreewiththeoccupantwhatistobedonebeforevacatinginordertoleaveitinanacceptablestateofrepair.TheArchdeacon(orMissionPartnershipteamleader)mayalsoattend.
IftheoccupierisanIncumbentmovingtoanotherparishorpostinEnglandoroffisland,wewouldexpectthereceivingdiocesetopayallremovalcostsandagreethepreferredbidder.
IftheoccupierisanIncumbentmovingoffislandtoretiretheSodorandManDBFundertakestopayallremovalcosts,andaswithamovetoaparsonageontheisland,theArchdeaconfoManwillaskforthreequotations,onetobefromCorkills,andhewilldirectwhichfirmhewishestobegiventhejob.
Beforeleavingaparsonagehousetheoccupantshouldensurethat:
• Thegas,electricityandwatermetersarereadatthelatestmomentpossible• Arrangementsmustbemadebytheoutgoingoccupantforallutilitiestobepaidfor
bytheDBFandthebillingaddresstobec/otheDiocesanTreasurer.• Arrangementsaremadewithtelephoneandothermediasuppliersforfinalaccounts
tobeforwardedtotheirnewaddress.Noneoftheutilitiesortelephoneshouldbedisconnectedasthisleadstoreconnectionchargesandinconvenientdelays.
Whenvacatingaparsonage,theoccupantshouldensurethatitisleftinacleanandtidycondition:
• Allrubbishistobedisposedof,includingunwantedfurnitureandcarpets(otherthanbeneficeproperty)
• Cupboardsemptiedandcleaned• Floorsswept• Bathroomsandtoiletsareclean• Kitchen,cupboardsetc.clearedofallfoodstuffsandperishablesandtheovenleft
cleanandwithallfittings• IffittedfridgesandfreezersareapartoftheDBFprovision,pleaseempty,clean,
switchoffandpropthedooropen.• Pleaseleaveaworkingbulbineverylightfitting• Ifanyboldordarkcolourshavebeenappliedtowallsorwoodworkthattheyhave
beenadequatelypaintedwhite• Gardentidiedandgrasscut
Thehousekeysaretobeleftwiththechurchwardens,whomustensurethattheArchdeaconisprovidedwithacopyassoonaspossible,andtheyshouldkeepacopy.
FailuretocomplywillresultintheDBFseekingfinancialrecompensefromtheformeroccupant.
b.Churchwardens’duties
Thechurchwardensshouldalsoreadthemetersonthefirstdayofthevacancyandensure
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thatanyfuturebills(e.g.foroil,seebelow)aretobeforwardedtotheDiocesanTreasurerforpayment(addressonp.12).
TheyshouldinformtheArchdeaconthatthehouseisvacated.
Duringavacancythechurchwardensareaskedtotakereasonablesteps,withtheassistanceoftheDiocesanSurveyor,forthesecurityandconditionofthehouse.
Emptyhousesarevulnerabletovandalattack.Thechurchwardensareaskedtodoalltheycantoprotectahousebyensuringalllocks,boltsandotherprotectivedevicesareputinoperation.Theyareaskedtokeepupanappearanceofhabitation(e.g.havingcurtainsatwindowsandlightsontimeswitches)andadvisingthepoliceofthevacancy.
Thegardenshouldbekepttidyandfreefromlittertoavoidtheappearanceofbeingunoccupied–theDBFwillfundthis,andbillsshouldbesenttotheDiocesanTreasurer.
Thechurchwardensshouldalsoarrangeforthehousetobevisitedatleasttwiceaweektocheckitssecurity,toensurethattheboilerisworking(inthewinter)andtoclearmail.
Ifthecentralheatingisfuelledbyoil,thechurchwardensareaskedtoensurethattheoiltankiskepttoppedupandtheinvoicesareforwardedtotheDiocesanTreasurerforpayment.Thefollowingcentralheatingcontrolsettingsaretobeused:
Roomradiatorthermostatsareturneddowntoalowtomid-levelinordertomaintainalowlevelofconstantheatthroughoutthehouse.
Timeclocksettooperatefrom0200to0500and2000to2200.
c.FinancialMatters
Anunoccupiedpropertycontinuestobeliabletorates,payablebytheDBF,asaregas,oilandelectricitybills-buttheseshouldrelateonlytouseformaintenanceofthepropertyandnotforotherparishpurposes.
d.LettingaParsonageHouse
Clergyoccupyingaparsonagehavenorighttoletanypersonotherthantheirownfamilyandhouseholdoccupytheparsonageoranypartofit.
NopersonsaretotakeupresidenceinaparsonagehouseduringavacancywithoutthewrittenapprovaloftheArchdeacon.
e.TheNewMinister
Beforeeachnewministermovesintothehouse,theDBFwillbringthemandspouseandfamily,ifapplicable,acrosstotheislandtohaveacoupleofdaystolookaround,duringwhichtheArchdeaconandDiocesanSurveyorwillmeetwiththematthehouseandconsidertheirneedsandrequestsfortheirnewhome.ThisvisitmustbearrangedthroughtheArchdeacon’soffice.
TheCommitteethenensurethatallnecessarybuildingworksaredoneandthehouseisre-decoratedasagreedthenthoroughlycleaned,includingthesteamcleaningofallcarpetswhicharetoremainandthedrycleaningofanycurtainsfittokeep.Weensurethatthegardenisinareasonablestatethroughouttheinterregnum–attheveryleastintheminimalconditioninwhichwewouldexpectittobeleft.
Allremovalcostswillbemet,andtheArchdeaconwillaskforthreequotations,including
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onefromCorkills,andislandfirm,andtheArchdeaconofManwillnominatethefirmtobeused.Wepayforthetravelcostsofthewholefamilytomovehere,includingpetsanduptotwomotorvehicles.
WepaythenormalCofEresettlementallowancesandfirstlivinggrants.
Beforeeachnewministermovesintoahouseweareresponsiblefor,wewouldexpectallbuildingworksandrefurbishmentstohavebeencompletedandinspected.IncomingclergyareaskednottobooktheirremovalsorcrossingsbeforetheArchdeaconhasagreedthattheyshould.
ThenewministerwillbegivenampletimetosettleintotheirnewhomeandsurroundingsbetweenarrivingontheislandandtheirInduction:weseektobegenerous,recognizingthatthemovetotheislandcanbeahugechangeandmajoradjustmentsneedtobemadewhichdonotapplywhenmovingtoanewjobinanEnglishdiocese.Duringthistime,theparishshouldallowthemtheprivacytosettlein,whilstofferingawarmandhelpfulwelcome.TheArchdeaconwillmeetwiththePCCtodiscusswhatthismeansduringtheinterregnumafteranappointmenthasbeenmade.
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12.
EmergencyNumbers
ArchdeaconofManVenAndrewBrown [email protected]
DiocesanSurveyorMr.GuyThompson [email protected]
DiocesanTreasurerMrsLisaJohnson [email protected] 21BrightonTerrace,DouglasIM14APCentralHeatingBreakdown Asof2014theDBFhavecontractedwithSalamandertomaintainallparsonageheatingsystems. SalamanderServicesLtd(Ballasalla) 823969 [email protected] Otheremergencynumbers(Butseebelowforfullerlistings)
Gassupplyleak 08081624444
Electricalsupplyfailure 687687Watersupplyleak 695999
IsleofManFireandRescueServiceHeadquarters
Telephone:+44(0)1624647300or999inanemergency
Website:www.gov.im/dha/fire/
Email:[email protected]
AmbulanceandParamedicService
Telephone:999inanemergencyor+44(0)1624650040
Website:http://www.gov.im/health/services/AandP/contact_us.xml
AccidentandEmergencyNoblesHospital
Telephone:999inanemergencyor+44(0)1624650040
http://www.gov.im/health/services/Hospitals/nobles/wards_departments/accidentemergency.xml
ManxEmergencyDoctorService(MEDS)NoblesHospital,Braddan,IsleofMan,IM44RJ
MEDSisONLYavailablefrom18:00hrsto08:00hrsMondaytoFriday,with24-hourcoveroverweekendsandbankholidays
Telephone:+44(0)1624650355or999inanemergency
Website:http://www.gov.im/health/services/GPs_Meds/meds.xml
Cont’dover…/
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EmergencyDentalClinic(Weekends/BankHolidaysonly)
Mobile+44(0)7624480365
Website:www.gov.im/health/services/CHS/dentalservice.xml
Police
PoliceHeadquarters,GlencrutcheryRoad,Douglas
Website:www.gov.im/dha/police
Telephone:+44(0)1624631212or999inanemergency
Electricity
ManxElectricityAuthority,P.O.Box177,CooilRoad,Braddan,IM991PS
Telephone:+44(0)1624687687
Website:www.gov.im/mea
Email:[email protected]
Gas
ManxGas,MurdochHouse,SouthQuay,Douglas,IM15PA
Telephone:+44(0)1624644444
Website:www.manxgas.com
Email:[email protected]
Water
IsleofManWaterandSewerageAuthority,TromodeRoad,Douglas,IM25PA
Telephone:+44(0)1624695999
Website:www.gov.im/water
Email:[email protected]
HighwaysDivisionandDrainageDivision
DepartmentofInfrastructure,WorksDepot,Ellerslie,Crosby
Telephone:+44(0)1624672000
CivilDefence
DepartmentofHomeAffairs,CivilDefenceHQ,WoodbourneRoad,Douglas,IM23AP
Telephone:+44(0)1624694316or694317(outofhourscontactdetailsgiven)
Email:[email protected]
Harbours
Telephone:+44(0)1624686628
Fax+44(0)1624626403
Website:www.gov.im/harbours
Email:[email protected]
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Coastguards
EmergencyTelephone999–askforCoastguard
24hrsOperationsTelephone-01624661664
AdministrationTelephone-01624844740(MondaytoFridaynormalofficehours)
Email:[email protected]
PublicHealth
Telephone:01624642639
Website:www.gov.im/health/services/Public_Health
Email:[email protected]
Seealsowww.gov.im/isleofman/Useful_contacts.xml
Andwww.gov.im/isleofman/emergency_contacts.xml
Forroutineandminorworkstotheparsonage,especiallyifit’stheDBF’sresponsibilityyoucouldtrycontactingDaveNormandavenorman@manx.netwhocanusuallyarrangeforplumbers,electriciansetc.
Foranythingelse,pleasecontacttheDiocesanSurveyorand/orthearchdeacon.
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APPENDIX
ExtractfromtheEcclesiasticalOffices(TermsofService(IsleofMan)Regulations2012
12. DutiesofDBF
(1) WheretheDBFprovidesahouseofresidenceorotheraccommodationundersection4or6oftheMeasure,itshallbeunderaduty—
(a) tokeepthepropertyinrepair;
(b) toarrangeforadiocesansurveyortoinspectthepropertyatleastevery5yearsand,inthecaseofanewbuilding,assoonaspossibleafterthebuildingisprovided,andforareporttobesubmittedtotheDBFdescribingthestateandconditionoftheproperty,includingthestateandconditionoftheinterior,andthegroundsandofanycontentsofthepropertyprovidedbytheDBF;
(c) tosendacopyofthesurveyor’sreporttotheofficeholderand,afterconsultingtheofficeholder,tocarryoutwithinareasonabletimeanyrepairsrecommendedinthereportwhichappeartotheDBFtobeappropriate;
(d) topaythefollowingrates—
(i)anydistrictrateorspecialrateleviedundertheLocalGovernmentAct2006(anActofTynwald);
(ii)anyrateleviedundertheBurialsAct1986,theWaterAct1991ortheSewerageAct1999(ActsofTynwald);
andsuchotherrecurringchargesasmaybespecifiedinthestatementofparticularsofofficegivenunderregulation3.(orinanystatementofchangesgivenunderregulation6.
(e) toinsurethepropertyagainstallsuchrisksasareincludedintheusualformofhouseowner’spolicyrelatingtobuildings.
(2) Inthisregulation“repairs”meanssuchworksofrepairandreplacementasareneeded—
(a) tokeepinrepairthestructureandexteriorofthebuildingsoftheproperty,includingdoors,windows,drains,guttersandexternalpipes;
(b) tokeepinrepairallwalls,fences,gates,drivesanddrainsoftheproperty,otherthanthosewhichsomepersonotherthantheofficeholderiswhollyliabletorepair;and
(c) tokeepinrepairandproperworkingorder—
(i)theinstallationsinthepropertyforthesupplyofwater,gasandelectricity,andforsanitation,includingbasins,sinks,bathsandsanitaryconveniences;
(ii)theinstallationsinthepropertyforspaceheatingorheatingwater;and
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(iii) anyfixtures,fittingsandappliancesintheproperty(otherthanthosementionedintheprecedingsub-paragraphs)providedbytheDBF;
includingworksofinteriordecorationnecessitatedinconsequenceofsuchworksasaforesaid.
(3) Indeterminingforthepurposesofthisregulationthestandardofrepairappropriatetoanybuildingregardshallbehadtotheage,characterandprospectivelifeofthebuildingand,inparticular,inthecaseofabuildingincludedintheProtectedBuildingsRegisterorabuildinginaconservationarea,tothespecialarchitecturalorhistoricinterestofthebuilding.
(4) Inthisregulationandregulations13,14and15“property”includesanylandorotherbuildingswhichformsorformpartoforisorareancillarytothehouseofresidenceorotheraccommodation.
13. Rightsofentry
TheDBForitsofficersoragentsmayenteranypropertywhichisprovidedasahouseofresidenceorotheraccommodationundersection4or5oftheMeasureonfirstgiving,exceptinanemergency,reasonablenoticetotheofficeholder,toinspectorcarryoutrepairstothepropertyortoinspect,repair,replaceorremoveanycontentsofthepropertywhichhavebeenprovidedbytheDBForforsuchotherreasonablepurposeasisconsistentwiththepowersandobligationsoftheDBF.
14. Dutiesofofficeholder
(1) Anofficeholderwhoisinoccupationofahouseofresidenceorotheraccommodationprovidedundersection4or5oftheMeasureshallbeunderaduty—
(a) topermittheDBForitsofficersoragentstoenterthepropertyinexerciseoftheDBF'srightsunderregulation13;
(b) touseallreasonableendeavourstokeepthepropertyandanycontentsofthepropertyprovidedbytheDBF,cleanandfreefromdeterioration,withtheexceptionoffairwearandtear,andtokeepanygardenorothergroundsbelongingtothepropertyinareasonablestateofupkeep;
(c) tonotifytheDBFofanyworksofrepairthatmayfromtimetotimebeneededtothepropertyassoonasreasonablypracticableaftertheofficeholderbecomesawareofthem;
(d) ifrequiredtodosobytheDBF,totheextentthatitisnotrecoverableunderanyinsurancepolicy,topaythewholeorpartofthereasonablecostofanyrepairstothepropertywhichareportofadiocesansurveyorasmentionedinregulation12(1)(b)authorizedbytheDBFspecifiestobenecessaryastheresultofdamagecausedoraggravatedbythedeliberateactoftheofficeholderoramemberoftheofficeholder’shouseholdresidingwithhimorherorbyabreachoftheofficeholder’sobligationsunderthisregulation;
(e) nottousethepropertyexceptasaprivateresidencefortheofficeholderandhisorherhouseholdandforsuchotherpurposesasmaybeagreedbytheDBF,whichagreementshallnotbeunreasonablywithheld;
(f) nottomakeanyrepairs,alterationsoradditionstothepropertywithouttheconsentoftheDBF;
(g) wherethepropertyisheldonalease,toobserveanyterm,conditionor
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covenantbindingthetenantundertheleaseand,inanycase,toindemnifytheDBFinrespectofanybreachbytheofficeholderorbyanymemberoftheofficeholder’shouseholdlivinginthepropertyofanyterm,conditionorcovenantbindingontheoccupier;and
(h) tovacatethepropertywithintheperiodofonemonthfromthedateonwhichtheofficeholderceasestoholdtheofficeoronwhichheorshetakesupanewoffice,whicheverissoonerorwithinsuchlongerperiodastheDBFmayallowandtoleavethepropertycleanandtidyandclearofallpersonalpossessionsbelongingtotheofficeholderoranymembersofhisorherhouseholdresidingintheproperty.
(2) Ifanofficeholderdieswhilstoccupyingtheproperty,anymemberofhisorherhouseholdlivinginthepropertyatthattimemayremaininoccupationfortheperiodof3monthsfromthedateoftheofficeholder’sdeathorsuchlongerperiodastheDBFmayallow;andanysuchpersonshall,forthedurationofhisorheroccupation,besubjecttothesameobligations,sofarasrelevant,underthisregulationasistheofficeholder.
(3) TheofficeholdershallkeeptheDBFinformedofmattersarisingfromanynoticegiventohimorherbyaDepartment,StatutoryDBF,localorotherpublicauthority,publicutilityundertakeror,inthecaseofpropertyheldonaleaseortenancy,thelandlordoftheproperty;andtheDBFshall,unlessitagreesotherwisewiththeofficeholder,adviseonorundertakenegotiationsinrespectofanysuchmatters.
15. Disputesandvariationofterms
(1) IfthereisanydisputeabouttheperformanceoftherespectiveobligationsoftheDBFandtheofficeholderundersection4,5or6orregulations12to14whichcannotberesolvedbythegrievanceprocedures,itshallbereferredforarbitrationbyasinglearbitratorappointedbyagreementbetweentheDBFandtheofficeholderor,failingagreement,bytheGovernorandthedecisionofanyarbitratorsoappointedshallbefinal.
(2) Thetermsofoccupationofthepropertybytheofficeholdermay,subjecttoregulations12to14,bevariedbyagreementbetweentheDBFandtheofficeholderand,whereappropriate,thestatementofparticularsofofficeshallbeamendedtoreflectanysuchvariation.
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ThisguidewascompiledbytheVenerableAndrewBrownusingtheparsonageguidesofthediocesesofManchester,Winchester,Bristol,GuildfordandWakefield,towhomwearegratefulfortheirhelp.
Itisavailableon-lineattheDioceseofSodorandMan’swebsite,intheArchdeacon’ssection.http://www.sodorandman.im/archdeacon_of_man
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Thereshouldalsobeahardcopyineveryparsonageinthediocese.
ThisbookletisthepropertyoftheDioceseofSodorandMan.NoneofitscontentsmaybesharedorreproducedinanyformwithoutthewrittenpermissionoftheArchdeaconofMan
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