Our Responsibility

We are legally obliged to keep certain items in your dwelling in good repair. They are set out in your Tenancy Agreement and include:

• The structure and exterior of your home
• Drains, gutters and external pipes
• Gas and plumbing equipment
• Baths, basins and toilets
• Electrical wiring, sockets and switches (not replacement of fuses and bulbs)
• Heating and hot water supply equipment
• Pathways, steps, boundary walls

Communal parts of flats, such as corridors, stairways and entrances, as well as communally provided services, such as television aerial systems, stairway lighting, lifts and entry phones (where provided) are also the Society’s responsibility.

Your Responsibility

Tenants are responsible for a number of minor repairs. The following repairs are classed as tenant’s responsibility, as agreed in your Tenancy Agreement:

• Unstopping blocked sinks, wash-hand basins, toilets (except tower blocks)
• Tightening screws
• Replacing fuses
• Minor cracks to plaster
• Draught excluders (providing the doors, windows fit reasonably)
• Plugs and chains
• Kitchen unit catches
• Renewing washing lines
• Bleeding radiators
• Re-lighting boilers, pilot lights
• Door bells
• Individual television aerials
• Turf to gardens
• Coat hooks
• Curtain batons
• Telephone points
• External lights
• Spur points for intruder alarms
• All internal decorations
• Glazing of windows and doors
• Pest control; e.g., wasps (except in communal areas)
• Any other items not fitted by the Society

Exceptions to these categories may be necessary: where insurance claims are required, or where a legal responsibility resides with others – e.g., during a new-build Contractors Defect Liabilities Period. Temporary arrangements only may be necessary where specialist parts are required.