Tenant responsibilities

Whilst we provide repairs and maintenance to the structure, outside and shared parts of your home, there are some minor repairs that are your responsibility.

Examples of these would include:

• Reglazing of windows and doors if damage caused by you or a member of your household, as a result of wilful damage or neglect.
• Replacing of lost keys.
• Decorations to the inside of your home.
• Maintenance to a garage, driveway or shed which has been constructed by you or a previous tenant where you have accepted responsibility for these.
• Clearing outside gullies.
• Fitting and repair of things that belong to you, for example,washing machines, cookers, fridges, coat hooks, tv aerials.
• Taking reasonable steps to prevent water pipes being damaged by frost.
• Replacement of plugs, chains, toilet seats, lightbulbs, smoke detector batteries
• Keeping all communal areas clean and free from obstruction.
• Providing and maintaining floor coverings, e.g. carpets

Please have a look in your Tenancy Agreement to see more of your repair responsibilities.

Chargeable repairs

We will carry out repairs and maintain the structure of your home, including the outside and shared parts of your home.  We will also repair and maintain the installations provided by us for supplying water, gas, electricity, plumbing and heating installations.

The outside woodwork and metalwork to your home including communal areas is also our responsibility.

It is important that you allow our authorised employees or other agents into your home at all reasonable hours to carry out any repairs we consider necessary to make sure your home or any person is not at risk.

However, if damage is caused by neglect, carelessness or misuse by you, your household, pets or visitors to your home we will charge you for a range of specific repairs. We call these repairs rechargeable repairs.

An unlimited list of your repair responsibilities are itemised in your tenancy agreement.

Examples of rechargeable repairs would include:

• Replacement of locks due to lost keys.
• Repair to any damage done by you or your visitors.
• Damage to decorations or flooring.
• Reglazing  of windows and doors if caused by wilful damage /neglect.
• Broken electrical fittings or appliances which we have provided.

How do we decide what is neglect, carelessness or misuse?

You may not have to pay for repairs if:

• The damage has been caused by fair wear and tear or because of the age of the property or installation.
• The damage has been caused as a result of you being the victim of a crime, for example a burglary or anti social behaviour.
• We had given you priority for a move to a new home because you were living in fear or violence or harrassment.
• The damage was caused through domestic violence.

You need to have reported the incident in these examples to the Police and provided us with a Crime Reference Number.

If there is any uncertainty or doubt about how the damage was caused, we will come and check the situation before we make a decision.  If we decide that you have broken the terms of your Tenancy Agreement, we will advise you what action is to be taken.