Go to navigation
Repairs to your leasehold property
Responsibilities
What Housing Services look after
Housing Services is obligated to maintain the overall structural
integrity of the block and will bill leaseholders a proportion of
the full cost. We must ensure the fabric of the building and any
associated areas are well maintained, repaired and replaced as
necessary. There are also certain health and safety obligations
that need to be taken into consideration.
The following are the most common items that we must keep in a
good state of repair.
Main structure of property:
- external boundary walls of the block and the
foundations;
- roof structure, loft space and chimneys;
- doors/window frames in external walls;
- main entrance door, if it opens into a communal area;
- balconies/basements.
Common parts of the block:
- stairwells/passages/landings/staircase lighting;
- internal/external redecorations.
Communal services to the block:
- pipes/wiring (for water/gas/electricity);
- tanks/cisterns;
- rain water pipes/guttering/main drains;
- communal heating systems/lifts.
Areas around the block:
- garages/storage areas;
- parking areas;
- communal gardens/paths;
- fences/gates to the block.
Your repair responsibilities
The terms of your lease will tell you the exact detail of your
repair obligations. As a rule, you have repair responsibilities for
internal aspects to your flat and any services provided solely to
your flat.
The following are the main things you must keep in good order
and repair or replace:
- windows (internally in flat), including locks and glazing;
- glass window panes in external windows attached to the main
structure of the block;
- floor boards but not joists or floor slabs;
- interior decor, plaster/wallpaper on walls and ceilings;
- interior non-structural walls;
- internal doors and frames;
- entrance door but not frame, if door is part of the external
structure;
- internal fixtures and fittings, for example bathroom suite and
kitchen units, with landlord permission;
Where, externally or internally, the following serve only the
leasehold flat:
- pipes/wirings/cables for gas, electricity and water;
- guttering/drains/tanks/cisterns.
Planned maintenance work
A lot of our spending on maintenance is through planned
programmes of work. This is the most cost effective way of keeping
properties in a good state of repair. Sometimes, we will delay
day-to-day repairs until we carry out programmed work, if they are
due to take place soon. If this is the case, we will let you know
when you report a repair.
When planned maintenance work is due to take place we will send
you details beforehand and carry out legal consultation where
necessary. For example, if we were to paint the outside of the
building.
Improving and decorating your home
Do I need permission to make improvements?
Yes. You must obtain the council’s prior written permission
before make any alterations to the fixtures, fittings or structure
of your property; for example, a new bathroom or kitchen. This does
not include general cosmetic redecoration, such as painting or new
carpets; but does include wooden flooring. We need to know the
exact details of what you are planning to do. There may be an
administration charge for obtaining permissions. To obtain
permission write to the Home Ownership Officer whose contact
details can be found on the bottom of this page.
Decorating inside your home
You are responsible for decorating the inside of your property.
If you or a neighbour has caused water damage, for example, by
letting a bath overflow, we have no responsibility to repair the
water staining. The resident causing the damage is responsible for
the costs. This is why it makes sense to have contents
insurance.
Useful links
Add this page to my Quick Links:
Add page
Send this page to a friend:
Send