Repairs and Maintenance - whose responsibility?
last updated
04/09/2008 16:46:57
If you rent your home from us as a tenant, we have a legal duty to keep your home fit and safe for you to live in, as well as our own commitment to provide you with good quality housing. About a ten percent of the rent you pay goes towards the cost of the day-to-day repairs service so that we can do this.
Generally we are responsible for keeping the structure and outside of your home in good repair, and for keeping installations in the house for the supply of water, gas and electricity, and for sanitation in proper working order. However if damage is caused by your neglect or misuse, we may carry out the work and charge you for it.
You are responsible for the internal decoration of your home and looking after the fixtures and fittings. This means that you should make sure your home is decorated when it needs to be. You are also responsible for repairing any damage to glass, internal doors, cupboards and sinks, and for clearing blocked internal drains, sweeping flues and chimneys if you have them, and for replacing any lost keys or changing locks.
You must also:
- Make sure that you tell us quickly about any repairs that you know need to be done
- Allow us into to your home to inspect or repair at any reasonable time
- Look after your garden or other ground let to you as part of your home
- Take your turn with neighbours where there are common or shared areas; such as gardens, drying greens or stairs, for example, to keep them clean and in good order.
You will find a detailed list showing whose responsibility different repairs are in your Tenants’ Handbook. You can also call our Maintenance team for advice or to report a repair on 0845-130-9995 or email us at repairs@albynhousing.org.uk
If you are retired or have a disability, you may also be able to get help from the Ross-shire or Sutherland Handyperson Service that we told you about in our last newsletters.
Please note – these responsibilities will not apply if you are a sharing owner. As a sharing owner, you have full responsibility for all repairs and maintenance to your home.
