We are responsible for maintaining and repairing the structure and outside of properties and shared areas.

This includes:

• Foundations, roofs, chimney stacks, outside walls, window sills, window frames, gutters and outside pipes
• Inside walls, skirting boards, door frames, doors, plasterwork, ceilings and floors;
• Fitted cupboards and kitchen units (except if you put them in yourself);
• Access routes including pathways and steps, boundary walls and fencing, gates and rubbish facilities such as bin stores which we have put in place;
• Garages, outsides stores and outbuildings (except if you added them yourself); and
• Painting outside as part of our maintenance programme, unless the property is due to have improvements carried out to it.

These include small jobs inside your home such as replacing or repairing any of the following:

• Sink plugs, tap washers, toilet seats and lids, shower hoses, starter  motors for strip lights, fuses, lights  bulbs, doorbells, broken glass to doors and windows, keys and locks, cupboard catches and hinges, and installing and adding insulation jackets to hot water tanks and fire ignition units;
• Redecorating inside your home and keeping the decoration in good condition;
• Maintaining fixtures and fittings, such as curtain and dado rails and other fittings that you have installed;
• Treating household pests and infestations such as ants, slugs and mice;
• Clearing blockages in waste pipes and toilets caused by a lack of care. These blockages can be caused by putting fat, oil, paint, hair, disposable nappies, vegetable peelings, sanitary towels or other bulky items down the pipe or toilet;
• Keeping airbricks and ventilators clear;
• Setting heating controls and relighting boilers;
• Taking reasonable care to protect your home from damage caused by fire, frost or water;
• Any repairs that are caused by misusing something, for example, damage caused by water overflowing from baths, sinks, basins and appliances;
• Avoid storing large amounts of materials or gases that catch fire easily;
• Repairs to any improvements you have carried out;
• Maintaining private gardens;
• Minor repairs to fencing; and
• Minor repairs to plaster.

We will take action against you if you do not maintain your home properly, or cause damage or inconvenience to your neighbours. If another resident is causing you inconvenience, contact your housing officer.

Services

We are responsible for maintaining electricity, gas, water and sanitation services. (This applies only to service pipework and appliances we have installed).

These services include:

• Electrical wiring, sockets and light fittings (except if you put them in  yourself) – it does not include fuses, bulbs, or your own electrical equipment;
• Water heaters, fitted gas fires and central heating systems;
• Baths, showers, toilets, sinks, basins, taps; and
• Gas and water pipes.

Shared Areas

We will repair and maintain the shared areas inside and outside our properties.

This includes:

• Decorating hallways and entrances, in some properties, this also includes cleaning these areas;
• Lighting;
• Lifts and door entry systems;
• Shared TV aerials;
• Alarm systems, fitted by us;
• Footpaths and lighting, where there are only for use by our residents; and
• Playgrounds, parking areas, grounds and gardens which are our responsibility.

We will also make sure that all fire fighting equipment we supply is suitable, regularly inspected and serviced.

Access to your property

We need to be able to go into your home from time to time to inspect or repair your property or to carry out gas safety checks. We will contact you and arrange a suitable time to visit your home.

We may also have to enter without your permission in extreme emergencies such as flood or fire. Your tenancy agreement gives us the right to do this without your permission if you are not available to let us in.