Manse Folder
When a Minister moves into a manse, it is important to ensure they know what to expect and feel welcome in their new home. To that end, the Local Pastorate should, in consultation with the Synod Property Office, prepare a “Manse folder” that can remain at the manse with the Minister.
The folder should include, but is not limited to, the following information:
- List of keys and any combination lock numbers and Alarm code(s) (as applicable).
- Locations of meters.
- Locations of stop cocks, gas isolators, consumer unit (fuse board).
- Information about the central heating system, Electric Vehicle charging point and solar panels (as applicable).
- Mandatory Certificates (Gas Safety Check, Electrical Inspection & Condition Report, Energy Performance Certificate).
- Waste & recycling collection details.
- Current Utility companies.
- Last known Broadband supplier and telephone number.
- The current Synod Manse Policy.
- The latest Annual Manse Check and Building Survey.
- Details about any recent refurbishment, excluding redecorations.
- Land Registry entries and filed plan.
- User Manuals and relevant guarantees (in a separate folder).
A set of template pages for a Manse Folder can be downloaded from here 
, and a Table of Contents from here .
For an existing manse, an Annual Manse Check must be completed as soon as is practical, and any repairs co-ordinated with the Synod Property Office.
The Minister and their family must be consulted to ensure their requirements can be met and decorations are carried out to their liking (where possible).
Arriving Minister Checks
At least a month before the Minister is expected to arrive, it is important to ensure that the manse is clean & tidy, and that everything is in a good working order. A checklist to help with this can be downloaded from here: 
. The Pastorate should also consider if it is appropriate to arrange for a gardener as a one-off.
The Pastorate must arrange for an appointed person to meet the Minister at the manse to hand over keys and answer any immediate questions the Minister or their family may have about the manse and arrangements. A checklist to help with this can be downloaded from here: .
Departing Minister Checks
When a Minister is due to leave a pastorate arrangements must be made to ensure a smooth handover of the manse back to the pastorate or Synod (refer Section 12 below). A checklist to help with this can be downloaded from here: .
An Annual Manse Check must be completed, and the Minister be asked for feedback on their time at the manse and to comment on any concerns they may have had with the property. Any repairs must then be co-ordinated with the Synod Property Office.