Repair Responsibilities

If you are Council Tenant you will be aware that within your tenancy agreement you are responsible for a number of repairs dependant on the scenario. In order to provide you with clarity, the details below are examples of the processes the Council would undertake, subject to the requirements of repairs to your home.

Malicious Damage

This is where damage has been willingly caused to your home but has not been reported to the Police, or has not been classed as a crime by the Police. eg. Wilful damage caused by you, your visitors or your pets to any part of your home through an act of violence or mistreatment.

Should this situation occur you will be entirely responsible for the cost to repair or replace the damaged item or areas. Any repair works undertaken by you as a consequence of malicious damage must be completed to a standard that is acceptable to the Council. Failure to meet the required standard for such works may result in you being re-charged for the work. In some circumstances we may undertake the work on your behalf, but only after receiving payment in full.

Accidental Damage

This is where damage to your home has been caused accidentally by you, your visitors or your pets, eg. Something has been dropped into, and has damaged the bath.

Should this situation occur you will be entirely responsible for the cost to repair or replace the damaged item or areas. Any repair works undertaken by you as a consequence of accidental damage must be completed to a standard that is acceptable to the Council. Failure to meet the required standard for such works may result in you being re-charged for the work. In some circumstances we may undertake the work on your behalf, but only after receiving payment in full.

Criminal Damage

This is where your home may have been damaged or vandalised which has been classified as a crime by the Police.

Upon receiving notification that this type of damage has occurred to your home, we will ensure that your home is 'made safe'. However, we will only undertake a full repair once we have been provided with a crime reference number. This number will be provided to you by the Police when you report the incident and should be reported to us in order for the appropriate repairs to be completed.

Fair Wear & Tear

This is where a component, element or product within your home fails having come to the end of its useful life. eg. A leak occurs from a toilet due to the failure of a component.

Should this situation occur the Council will conduct the relevant repairs to your home in line with our current priority guidelines. However, we will not offer any compensation, or replace any of your personal items that have been damaged as a consequence of a fair wear and tear repair.

Household Insurance

Household insurance cover is readably available from many organisations including your Council. Considering the events described above you may wish to consider taking out insurance for your personal property in the event of damage through floods, leaks, fires, storms, burglary etc.

Should the situation occur where the Council are not responsible for the completion of a repair, or damage to your home or fixtures and fittings as a consequence of fair wear and tear, the Council cannot offer you any financial assistance and you will be entirely responsible for any costs which you have incurred. This is why you should carefully consider ensuring you have the relevant insurance cover to suit your individual circumstances.