Housing repairs policy
Appendix C - Secure Tenant Right-to-Repair
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The Right to Repair
In accordance with the 'Secure Tenants of Local Housing Authorities (Right to Repair) Regulations 1994', if a qualifying repair set out below cannot be completed within an agreed timescale, the tenant has the right to request Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) to instruct a second contractor to complete the work. Where the second attempt, or second contractor also fails to complete the work within the agreed time GYBC will pay compensation to the tenant in accordance with the legislation.
The Right to Repair does not apply in the following circumstances:
- the tenant has told GYBC that they no longer want the qualifying repair carried out
- where the tenant fails to provide details for the contractor to gain access to their home
- access for an inspection or for the repair to be carried out has not been provided by the tenant
- where the contractor needs to order special parts to complete the repair
- where severe weather conditions prevent the contractor from completing the repair
- in leaseholder properties
Qualifying Repairs
| Defect | Prescribed period (in working days) |
|---|---|
| Total loss of electric power | 1 |
| Partial loss of electric power | 3 |
| Unsafe power or lighting socket or electrical fitting | 1 |
| Total loss of water supply | 1 |
| Partial loss of water supply | 3 |
| total or partial loss of water supply | 1 |
| Blocked flue to open fire or boiler | 1 |
| Total or partial loss of space or water heating between 31 October and 1 May | 1 |
| Total or partial loss of space or water heating between 30 April and 1 November | 3 |
| Blocked or leaking foul drain, soil stack or toilet pan (where only one in dwelling) | 1 |
| Toilet not flushing (where there is no other working toilet in the dwelling house) | 1 |
| Blocked sink, bath or basin | 3 |
| Tap which cannot be turned | 3 |
| Leaking from water or heating pipe, tank or cistern | 1 |
| Leaking roof | 7 |
| Insecure external window, door or lock | 1 |
| Loose or detached banister or hand rail | 3 |
| Rotten timber flooring or stair treads | 3 |
| Door entry-phone not working | 7 |
| Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working | 7 |
What happens when a qualifying repair is reported?
When a qualifying repair is reported, GYBC must issue a repair notice to a contractor and send the tenant a copy with information on how the Right to Repair Scheme works. There will be a time limit for the contractor to do the work by, which will depend on the repair needed as set out in the table above.
What happens if the work isn't done in time?
If the repair work isn't done within the specified time limit, the tenant will need to tell us and ask for another contractor to do the work. If another contractor is available, we will issue a repair notice to them and send the tenant a copy.
What happens if the tenant is not in when the contractor calls?
If the tenant is not at home to let the contractor in as arranged, the scheme no longer applies.
Claiming compensation
If the second contractor doesn't do the repair work within the time limit, the tenant is entitled to £10 in compensation. For every extra day the tenant waits, they will receive another £2. The most compensation for any one job is £50.
If the tenant has any rent arrears, GYBC can use the compensation to reduce the arrears rather than paying the tenant.
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