Repair rights and responsibilities for council homes
Our responsibility:
- the structure and exterior of your home
- the services for utilities – gas, electricity and water
- baths, basins, sinks and toilets
- fixtures and fittings installed by us
- communal areas in blocks
Your responsibility
These include (but may not be limited to):
- to allow access for the annual gas safety check
- to report any damage or defects to your property immediately
- to allow access to carry out repairs
- to carry out some minor repairs and replacements as detailed in your tenancy agreement
- to keep your home clean and tidy and in a condition that does not cause a risk to the health of you or others
- to decorate the inside of your home when necessary
- to repair any damage caused by carelessness from you, or from anyone who lives with you or who visits you
If you have any doubt as to who is responsible for a repair, contact us.
Telephone: 0800 0147 333
Mutual exchanges
When you complete a mutual exchange (swapping homes with another council, or Housing Association tenant), you become legally responsible for any improvements and additions made by that previous tenant.
This means you will become responsible for the repair or replacement of these additions or alterations.
We will still carry out repairs which we have responsibility for.
Criminal damage
If you are the innocent victim of criminal damage and the matter has been reported to the police and a crime reference number obtained, we will carry out the repairs without charging you. We will seek to recover the costs of criminal damage where the person responsible is known and convicted of the offence.
Missed appointments
You may also have to pay for missing two pre-arranged appointments where you have not given us notice of your need to cancel or rearrange.