Council housing - repairs and maintenance

Repairs - who is responsible?

We are responsible for most of the repairs to your home but there are some items which you are responsible for and other items which, although they are the council’s responsibility, you may have to pay for the cost of repair where the damage was caused maliciously or by negligence.

Please see the PDF document attached at the bottom of this page which shows you who is responsible for what.

When you report a repair, always give the following information:

• your name and address
• the room and position of the repair
• a description of the repair
• when we can get in to do the work, dates and times
• your telephone number

When you report a repair it will be placed in order of priority - please see the attached PDF document to find out the levels of priority for repairs and maintenance.

Work the council must do to your house

The council makes a safety check of all heating appliances ever year, as required by law. Notification will always be given so that we can arrange access.When the annual service has been carried out, you will be given a safety certificate to say that the appliance is safe to use.

Planned maintenance

The programme to carry out planned maintenance is produced following a house condition survey, which is carried out by a company of independent chartered surveyors.

The planned maintenance team can then identify which properties need work done, finance permitting. The programme of work includes refurbishing the external fabric of the buildings, such as roofs, fascias, windows, doors, re-rendering and wall insulation. Central heating and additional loft insulation is also included in the scheme.

Your right to repair

As a secure council tenant, you have the right to have repairs done in your home within a specific time under the Right to Repair scheme.

The scheme ensures jobs, which might affect your safety or security are done quickly and easily.

If the first contractor doesn’t do your repair in time, you should phone the council and tell them to get a second contractor to carry out the work. If the second contractor fails to complete the work in time, you will get £10 in compensation, plus £2 for every day you wait. If you owe the council money, it will take away the amount you owe from the compensation.

There could be a good reason why the contractor was unable to complete the repair on time, such as if you weren’t home to keep the appointment. In such cases the council will not have to pay your compensation.

Alterations / improvements to your home

You must check with your housing officer if you are intending to make changes to your home, they will tell you whether written consent from the council is necessary.

This is very important as you could be charged for the alternations when you leave the property if the improvements are unauthorised.

Compensation for improvements

You may be able to get compensation for authorised improvements you have made, please check to see what improvements are eligible for compensation. Please check before you hand in your keys if you are eligible for compensation.