Repairs (section 8)

8.1.    You must immediately report to us any faults and repairs we are responsible for. When contacting us about a repair you think we may be responsible for, you must describe the problem, where it is and how long it has been there.

8.2.    We are responsible for keeping in repair the structure and exterior of your home. This includes roofs, walls, floors, ceilings, window frames, external doors, drains, gutters, and outside pipes.

8.3.    We are responsible for keeping in repair the structure and exterior of the building in which your home forms part.

8.4.    We will keep in repair and proper working order the installations in your home for the supply of water, gas, and electricity and for sanitation, including:

• Basins, sinks, baths, toilets, flushing systems, and waste pipes (but not other fixtures, fittings, and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity).
• Electric wiring including sockets, switches, and light fittings (excluding bulbs).

8.5.    We will keep in repair and proper working order the installations in your home for space heating and heating water, including gas pipes, water pipes, water heaters, fitted fires and central heating installations.

8.6.    We must:

• carry out repairs for which we are responsible within a reasonable period of time of being put on notice, and
• clear up after a repair.

8.7.    We will take reasonable care to keep any shared areas around your home (e.g. stairs, lifts, landings, lighting, entrance halls, pathways, shared gardens, parking areas and rubbish chutes) in a reasonable condition.

8.8.    We are not responsible for repairing anything that has become damaged or defective as a result of your act or omission or that of a person living with or visiting you. If you have caused damage which presents a health and safety risk and/or a risk to the property or the building that it is in, we will carry out a repair and then re-charge you for the costs of the repair work and to rectify the damage caused.

8.9.    It is your responsibility to repair or replace the following:

• Door handles and latches.
• Toilet chains/handles.
• Drawer handles.
• Curtain battens.

8.10.  You are responsible for carrying out the following activities:

• Bleeding radiators.
• Cleaning and removing limescale from baths, sinks, basins, and showerheads.
• Lubricating hinges and locks.
• Adjusting internal doors when you have new carpets fitted.
• Cleaning windows and glass
• Decorating the interior of your home (except in circumstances where decorations have become damaged due to repair issues for which the Council are responsible)

8.11.  We have no responsibility to install, extend or improve existing:

• Ventilation.
• Heating.
• Insulation.
• Internal plasterwork.
• Electrical appliances and fittings within your home (unless we are required to do so to abate a statutory nuisance or to satisfy any statutory provisions)

8.12.  You must keep appointments that we have agreed with you to inspect, survey and/or carry out any repairs. If you fail to provide access, we may charge you to recover our costs.

Repairs we will charge you for

8.13.  You are responsible for meeting the costs of repairing any damage to your home, its fixtures or fittings or any area shared or Council property, caused by you or by the actions of others living with or visiting you. The damage could be caused either accidentally or deliberately (e.g. smashed windows) or by your own neglect (e.g. by not reporting a leak).

8.14.  The Council has the discretion to decide whether it will carry out the work and recharge you or require you to carry out the work at your cost.

8.15.  If we carry out the work, we will charge you the costs of:

• Repairing any damage to your home and/or shared areas.
• Replacing any Council property you have destroyed or damaged.

8.16.  You are responsible for the cost of any repairs required following lawful entry by the Police to detect or prevent crime.

Carrying out major repairs to your home

8.17.  If your home needs major repairs and you have to move out so we can do the work, we will offer you a suitable alternative home. This may be on a temporary basis or on a permanent basis.

8.18.  If we offer you temporary accommodation, you must move into it when we ask and return to your home when we have done the repairs. If you do not return to your home following the completion of the works, we will take legal action against you.

Your right to repair

8.19.  You have the right to have certain urgent minor repairs done quickly, if the repair may affect health, safety, or security. This is called your Right to Repair. Under the Right to Repair scheme, you can claim compensation (up to a maximum agreed by law) if we do not complete the repairs within the set time period.

Improvement works

8.20.  The Council are under no obligation to carry out improvement works in your property.

8.21.  If the Council wishes to carry out improvement works at the property which are considered by the Council to be necessary, you will be given reasonable notice of those works and that access is required.e solar panel system or part of your home to which it is attached or in which it is contained.