Header image reading 'Appendix C: Our/your repair responsibilities'

Decorative paperwork iconDescription Decorative spanner in hand iconResponsibility

Bathrooms:
Toilets, baths, basins, shower seats, showers installed by us. US
Shower rails, shower riser, shower curtains, toilet roll holders, towel rails, plug and chain, toilet seats. YOU
Unblocking toilets, sinks, basins, baths, and shower trays. If you are unable to unblock, we will attend. YOU
Floor covering. YOU

Communal areas (defined as a shared outdoor or indoor space for multiple occupancy including maisonette flats):
Stairs, handrails, aerials, lifts, bin storage, drying areas, fencing and gates. US

Decorating:
In communal spaces. US
In your home. YOU

Disabled adaptations:
Disabled adaptations installed by us. US
Disabled adaptations installed by you. YOU

External and internal doors:
Fire doors (under no circumstances should tenants repair). US
Front or rear doors. US
Outhouse doors (outhouse connected to property). US
Outhouse doors (not connected to property). YOU
Internal doors. (Bathroom, kitchen and all other internal doors) US + YOU
Internal doorframes. US
Lost keys and fobs. YOU
Door alterations needed after carpet fitting. YOU
Drains, water services, external pipes, gutters, gullies, and rainwater goods (within the boundary of the property). US
Blocked surface drains and gullies. YOU
Blocked drains, sol stacks, and manholes. US

Electrics:
Lightbulbs in kitchens and bathrooms. US
Lightbulbs in other rooms. YOU
Appliances and fittings installed by you, including checking, and replacing fuses. YOU
Resetting trip switches. YOU

Fixtures and fittings:
Coat hooks and curtain rails. YOU

Fences, walls and gates:
We only replace fencing, walls, and gates as part of a planned improvements programme. We will keep in repair those that we have installed from April 2009 onwards. We will also keep in repair communal fencing, walls, and gates.

You are responsible for repairing any fencing, walls, or gates that you have installed or that we installed before April 2009. If there is a health and safety risk and you are unable to repair it yourself, we will either repair or remove it, whichever is most cost effective and we may charge you for this. You must not remove, replace, build, or renew any fencing, walls, or gates without our permission.

You are responsible for the general maintenance of fences and gates, for example painting, oiling, and easing.

 N/A

Foundations and floors:
Foundations. US
Floor including floorboards joists. US
Floor coverings (unless damaged by us or part of a repair). YOU

Gas:
Gas services (pipework coming out of the gas meter). US
The gas supplier is responsible for the gas meter. N/A
Appliances installed by you. (For gas fires please see heating hot water and fires). YOU

Heating and hot water, fires:
Central heating and hot water systems. We are responsible for fires that we have fitted. US
If you have installed your own fire, you are responsible for any repairs. We will, however, carry out a regular safety check. You must provide the manufacturer’s instructions for the fire, as we will need to remove the fire to inspect your chimney and carry out a visual safety check of the appliance before we refit it. Without the manufacturer’s instructions, we will disconnect the fire.

Where a gas fire is beyond repair, we will brick up the fireplace and supply a hard-wired electric fire.

 YOU
We do not give permission to install fuel burning appliances. If you install a wood burner, we will remove it for safety reasons and we may charge you for this.

Kitchens:
Kitchen units, sinks, worktops, and associated pipe work. US
Domestic appliances such as washing machines, fridges, and cookers.

You should ensure these are installed and maintained by a qualified person.

 YOU
Unblocking sinks. YOU

Paths, steps, and areas of hardstanding:
Hardstandings installed by us. US
Hardstandings installed by you. YOU
If there is a health and safety risk and you are unable to repair the area, we will either repair or remove it, whichever is most cost effective and we may charge you for this.
We are responsible for pathways that allow you safe access and egress to and from and around your home. US
Paths and steps in communal areas. US

Roofs and chimneys.

US

Sheds, garages, and outhouses:
Sheds and garages installed by us.

We are responsible for outhouses that are connected to the main property by a roof or wall.

 US
Unattached outhouses.

If you have installed any sheds or garages, you are responsible for them. If these become unsafe and you are unable to repair or remove them yourself, we will either repair or remove them and we may charge you for this.

 YOU

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms:
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms installed by us.

We will check these alarms and replace them or change the batteries part of the annual gas and electric safety check.

 US
You are responsible for testing the batteries. If the battery needs changing before the annual safety check, you must replace it. You must not change the backup battery in a hard-wired or factory sealed smoke or carbon monoxide alarm. YOU

TV aerials:
Communal aerials. US
Aerials that are only used by you and your household. If an aerial is dangerous, we may make safe. YOU

Walls, ceilings and plastering:
Skirting boards. US
Plastering small holes and cracks. YOU
Rendering (note, this may be delayed due to weather). US

Windows:
External windows, including fittings. US
Reglazing. We will make the window secure, however we may charge you for this. YOU
Reglazing, where a crime reference is provided. US

Renewable technologies:
Electric vehicle (EV) charge points installed by us. US
Electric vehicle (EV) charge points installed by you. YOU
Solar/solar thermal panels installed by us. US
Solar/solar thermal panels installed by you. YOU