As well as being a comfortable home for clergy and their families, parsonages are also a resource for the mission of the Church in the local community.
Here you’ll find all you need for good parsonage maintenance so that it can be handed on in good condition to future clergy, their families and the community in the future.
Parsonages handbook
Incumbents and other clergy housed in parsonages or other diocesan-owned houses can find information on what is provided and expectations regarding maintenance in the parsonages handbook. If there are any questions or suggestions about these policies, please email property@cofeguildford.org.uk where one of the team will respond to your enquiry.
Download the Handbook
Maintenance of Parsonages
If you have an emergency with your utilities, such as a gas leak, then please call your utility company directly or refer to the parsonages handbook for emergency contacts. Please note, that not all of the contractors referred to in the parsonage handbook for emergency contacts work at weekends or on Public Holidays.
For any emergency work, please contact an appropriate contractor below, and email us to let us know:
For any other problems, then please call either of the following two numbers: 07500 152769 or 07723 00339.
If your enquiry is not regarding emergency works or is during working hours, 09:00-16:30, please email property@cofeguildford.org.uk where we will be able to respond to your enquiry.
Costs
Housing costs are shared between the Incumbent (or other resident Clergy), the Parish and the Diocese of Guildford. How these are shared between the three are laid out in the Responsibility for Meeting Housing Costs note.
Vacancies
During vacancies, the local PCC are responsible for looking after the parsonage, paying the utilities, managing security, refurbishing internal decorations (except the study area) and maintaining the garden in a fit state to welcome a new incumbent.
The Diocese of Guildford remains responsible for external repairs, the provision of main utilities and redecorating the downstairs study, hall and guest toilet area. Where the vacancy gap is sufficient, the Diocese will attempt to rent out the property, which will relieve the PCC of this responsibility while the property is occupied by a tenant. At all other times, it remains the responsibility of the PCC.
Parish Offices
Parish offices are the full responsibility of the local incumbent and PCC to establish, manage and maintain. They are generally located within the local church building or surrounding land. Occasionally, a Parish Office has been constructed as an extension to a Parsonage.
Again, although attached to the parsonage, the office remains the responsibility of the Parish to manage and maintain. Also, in these circumstances we ask Parish Officers and staff to respect the privacy of the incumbent's home and minimise entry to that. Ideally toilet and catering facilities should be constructed within the office extension to reduce the need to intrude within the incumbent's home. We also request that Parish office furniture and files not be stored within the parsonage, since it remains the private residence of the incumbent and during extended vacancies can be commercially let for short periods to members of the general public.
Property Team
The Property Team provides advice on most property-related matters.