The Diocese of Sodor and Man...The Diocese of Sodor and Man Living in a parsonage - making the Vicarage your home Third Edition 2016 (a revision of the 1st edition 2013) Please keep

TheDioceseofSodorandMan

Livinginaparsonage-makingtheVicarageyourhome

ThirdEdition2016(arevisionofthe1stedition2013)

Pleasekeepthiswhereyoucanreadilyrefertoit,

andleaveitinplainviewintheStudyuponvacatingtheproperty.

Last amended 5th September 2017

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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


24

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


25

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


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


Electricity

ManxElectricityAuthority,P.O.Box177,CooilRoad,Braddan,IM991PS

Telephone:+44(0)1624687687

Website:www.gov.im/mea


Gas

ManxGas,MurdochHouse,SouthQuay,Douglas,IM15PA

Telephone:+44(0)1624644444

Website:www.manxgas.com


Water

IsleofManWaterandSewerageAuthority,TromodeRoad,Douglas,IM25PA

Telephone:+44(0)1624695999

Website:www.gov.im/water


HighwaysDivisionandDrainageDivision

DepartmentofInfrastructure,WorksDepot,Ellerslie,Crosby

Telephone:+44(0)1624672000

CivilDefence

DepartmentofHomeAffairs,CivilDefenceHQ,WoodbourneRoad,Douglas,IM23AP

Telephone:+44(0)1624694316or694317(outofhourscontactdetailsgiven)


Harbours

Telephone:+44(0)1624686628

Fax+44(0)1624626403

Website:www.gov.im/harbours



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Coastguards

EmergencyTelephone999–askforCoastguard

24hrsOperationsTelephone-01624661664

AdministrationTelephone-01624844740(MondaytoFridaynormalofficehours)


PublicHealth

Telephone:01624642639

Website:www.gov.im/health/services/Public_Health


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


30

(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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The Diocese of Sodor and Man...The Diocese of Sodor and Man Living in a parsonage - making the Vicarage your home Third Edition 2016 (a revision of the 1st edition 2013) Please keep