Tel: 01292 612079
Fax: 01292 285191

Housing Strategy and Development

Repairs – Our Responsibilities
We must ensure that at the beginning of the tenancy the house is wind and watertight and, in all other respects, reasonably fit for human habitation.

We will carry out certain small urgent repairs within a specified time. If we fail to start the repair on time you may instruct another listed approved contractor to carry out the repair instead. You will also be entitled to a compensation payment.

Repairs Which Qualify Under The Right To Repair
When you report a repair we will confirm whether it is our responsibility and if it is a qualifying repair under the Right to Repair. We will tell you the maximum time allowed for us to complete the repair and your rights under the scheme.

Qualifying repairs to a value of £350 covered by the scheme include:

• Blocked flue to open fire or boiler
• Blocked or leaking foul drains, soil stacks or toilet pans where there is no other toilet in the house
• Blocked sink, bath or drain
• Loss of electric power
• Partial loss of electric power
• Insecure external window, door or lock
• Unsafe access path or step
• Loss or partial loss of gas supply
• Significant leaks or flooding from water or heating pipes, tanks, cisterns
• Loss or partial loss of space or water heating where no alternative heating is available
• Toilet not flushing where there is no other toilet in the house
• Unsafe power socket or lighting socket, or electrical fitting
• Loss of water supply
• Partial loss of water supply
• Loose or detached banister or hand rail
• Unsafe timber flooring or stair treads
• Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working

If we fail to start a repair within the set time limit you may instruct another contractor to carry out the repair. If the other contractor carries out the repair we will pay you £15 compensation. If you ask another contractor to carry out the work but they fail to complete it in the time limit set, you will be entitled to £3 compensation per working day until it is completed, up to a maximum of £100 for any one repair.

Right to Compensation for Improvements
If you have carried out certain improvement works with our consent you may be entitled to be compensated for the cost of those works when your tenancy comes to an end.

There is already a scheme in place for current tenants who carried out improvements before 30th September 2002.

If you carry out improvements after 30th September 2002, the new scheme of compensation will apply.

You will not be paid compensation if you buy your house or if we repossess it.

Improvements Covered By The Right To Compensation

The Right To Compensation covers improvements such as:

• Bath or shower
• Cavity wall insulation
• Insulating pipes, etc
• Draught proofing external doors and windows

Claiming Compensation
You can receive compensation of up to £4,000 for any one improvement, including the cost of materials and labour unless you carried out the work yourself.

You must make a claim in writing not earlier than 28 days before or no later than 21 days after the tenancy comes to an end.

Contact your area housing office for more information on Compensation and when you are entitled to it.