Repair responsibilities and priorities

Repairs priorities

Depending on the repair you need to report, it will be allocated a priority. This means the time it takes us to both attend and fix the fault may differ as we need to prioritise customers who have emergencies.

Emergency Repairs

An emergency repair is one that immediately affects your health, safety or security and would endanger life, or, if not repaired or will damage the fabric of the building. Emergency repairs will be completed within 24 hours. On this basis, appointments are not available for emergency repairs. Often the solution is to make the immediate risk safe with further routine repairs required to fully remedy the issue.

Gas repairs will be attended to the same day they are reported if it's before 6pm. Gas repairs reported after 6pm will be attended the next working day.

Emergency repairs will be completed within 24 hours to make safe.

Examples of emergency repairs are

Burst pipes
Blocked drains or toilet (if there is only one toilet)
Gas leaks
Broken windows
Severe roof leaks
Flooding
No hot water (between October - March)
Offensive or discriminatory graffiti
Fire damage
Total loss of heating (between October - March)
Total loss of power or lighting

Non-emergency repairs

Non-emergency repairs work to be completed within 15 working days. Some repairs will need more than one appointment to resolve. Our contractor will arrange the next appointment date if this is required, following the first appointment.

Examples of non-emergency repairs are

Blocked drains, sinks, basins, baths and toilets
Blocked gutters
Damage to stair treads, handrails or banisters
Defective cistern or overflow
Dripping or leaking taps or shower units
Electrical works
External repairs to walls, and pathways
Failure of entry phone
Faulty communal TV aerial
Heating faults or breakdowns
Kitchen units and worktops
Leaking roofs
Minor plumbing repairs
Non offensive graffiti
Plasterwork
Re-glazing (if a crime has been committed and a reference number provided)
Repairs to doors, windows and floors
Repairs to windows and external doors

Repairs responsibilities

We are responsible for repairs to your home, as your landlord. You will also have responsibilities regarding repairs and conditions in your home that you will have to carry out yourself.Before you request a repair, check these lists to see if it’s our responsibility or yours.

Our Repairs responsibilities

Structural repairs to internal walls and skirting boards.
Window frames and sills.
Boarding up broken glass in windows and doors externally.
Replacing broken glass in windows where a crime reference number has been provided by you.
Repairs following criminal damage or vandalism. Unless this is caused by you or those you are not responsible for.
Pipework fed by mains services.
Hot and cold water pipework.
Repairing wall tiles and all splash backs unless they are damaged through misuse.
Repairing sinks and taps (not blocked sinks).
Providing suitable waterproof flooring in the kitchen and bathroom.
Maintaining the bathroom suite as required by the Decent Homes Standard.
Maintaining your kitchen in line with the Government’s Decent Homes Standard.
Unblocking toilets in blocks of flats, main drains and soil stacks.
Repairs to sinks, wash hand basins, toilets, baths and showers.
Unblocking communal waste pipes and drains. Unblocking soil pipes.
Fixed, controllable heating systems, gas fired boilers, night storage heaters, radiators and gas supply pipework.
Servicing gas and solid fuel heating systems, and annual gas safety checks for gas boilers and gas installations.
Electric immersion heaters fitted to hot water storage cylinders.
Other types of fitted heating, if originally supplied and fitted by us.
Repairing mechanical air extraction systems such as extractor fans.
Repairing the structure of the property to eradicate penetrating damp.
External decoration, periodically assessed.
Maintaining fixed electrical installations.
Maintaining communal door and intercom systems.
Repairing or replacing faulty locks to external doors.
Maintaining mains operated fire or smoke alarms installed by us.
Building and structure cover.
Repairing communal washing lines.
Maintaining appliances we have installed, which have not been gifted to you.

Your Repairs responsibilities

Cleaning the inside and outside of windows.
Sweeping chimney flues where we have solid fuel fire installations.
Keeping external areas and pathways clean and free from rubbish. Any rubbish clearance required in your home.
Any temporary structure erected (subject to the necessary permission being granted by us)
Fencing between neighbouring properties.
Repairing internal doors including replacing locks and handles. Fitting or replacing any spyhole and door chain. Repairs to doorbells (electric or battery operated).
Filling minor cracks.
Installing or replacing draught excluders.
Replacing broken glass or glazing to any doors, windows or fixed panes where a crime reference number has not been provided by the police.
Damage caused by the police or any other enforcement agency as a result of forced access. Any damage to your home as a result of you or those you are responsible for.
Any damage caused to properties by sink or washing machine overflowing or flooding.
Damage to plumbing installation within your home if caused by misuse.
Providing additional tiling/splashbacks if required in order to keep your home free from damp and water penetration. Subject to written permission.
De-scaling sinks and taps. Replacing chains and plugs.
Keeping all surfaces clean and free from moisture.
De-scaling and cleaning the toilet, bath, shower head and shower tray. Replacing or repairing flexible shower hose and shower head. Replacing baths, basins or sinks if damaged by misuse or neglect.
Ensuring worktops and cupboards are not damaged. Keeping surfaces free from water. Repairing or replacing kitchen units if damaged by misuse or neglect.
Unblocking toilets in self-contained houses. Replacement of toilet seats.
Unblocking sinks, wash hand basins, baths, and showers.
Unblocking drains where the blockage is as a result of anything which would not usually be flushed or emptied in them.
Maintaining and repairing any portable heating appliances.
Bleeding radiators and operating the central heating system. Letting gas engineers in to carry out annual safety checks and gas servicing, which is a legal requirement. Please see the gas servicing leaflet.
Any heating appliance that has been given to you by us.
Any connection to your appliances. Regular cleaning of mechanical extraction systems.
Taking action to prevent and control condensation. Keeping your home properly ventilated and free from moisture.
All internal decoration.
Replacing three pin plug cartridge fuses, fluorescent tubes and starters, any type of light bulbs and lamp shades.
Repairs following misuse of communal doors and intercom systems. Keeping doors closed and secure.
Replacing door and window keys. Obtaining additional keys. Replacing locks where the key has broken in it.
Regular test of domestic smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replacement of batteries.
Obtaining your own household contents insurance cover for your belongings.
Accidental damage. We recommend taking out an insurance policy to cover your personal belongings against fire, flood, accidental damage and theft. The National Housing Federation offers a ‘My Home’ policy which may be suitable: call 0345 450 7288 for details.
Installing or repairing washing lines and washing line pole.
Repairing anything you have installed, also including any damage as a result of installed items.
Installing any additional security items (once you have obtained written permission).
Fitting or dismantling satellite dishes (you will need to obtain written permission first).
Fitting and/or dismantling TV aerials, telephone points, connections and sockets.