New tenants of Douglas Corporation houses are to be given the chance to choose whether to keep any carpets, kitchen cupboards and appliances left behind by previous occupants.

For a trial period of six months they will be given a 'tick-box list', and asked to indicate which items should be retained.

Up to now properties viewed by prospective tenants have been completely empty.

Chairman of the Public Health and Housing Committee Doreen Kinrade hopes people will benefit from the new approach (audio file attached):

(Picture: Douglas Town Hall, from manxscenes.com).