Housing repairs policy

During the tenancy

In accordance with the Council's Rechargeable repairs policy, if a repair is caused by the natural use of a dwelling house by tenants and constitutes fair wear and tear and is the council's responsibility (see Appendix A) we will carry out any required repairs in line with our timescales without charge to the tenant. We will take a tenant's disability into account if the nature of it naturally causes heavier use of fixtures and fittings, or unavoidable damage, such as wheelchairs knocking into doors.

However, the Council will charge residents for repair works carried out on their behalf where this expenditure has been caused by accidental, intentional, reckless, or careless damage, or neglect and thus is not the result of fair wear and tear.

Payment will normally be required in full before any re-chargeable repairs work is carried out, with the following exceptions where:

• an emergency response is required
• the property must be made secure at the direction of the Police where they have forced entry (costs will be recharged as appropriate to either the resident or the Police)
• the disrepair is prejudicial to the health and safety of the household (for example a blocked WC)
• the disrepair could cause or is causing damage to other parts of the property or to other properties
• the Council considers that the disrepair could lead to deterioration in the appearance of the area
• the Council is satisfied that genuine hardship exists

Where a repair is needed resulting from criminal activity that has not been caused by the tenant, a member of their household, or a visitor to their home, the resident will not be charged for the cost of any works providing written confirmation with a crime reference number is obtained from the Police, unless this is not possible because someone is less likely or feel unable to report crime to the police, for example victims of domestic violence.

At the end of the tenancy

On receipt of a valid notice to end a tenancy, arrangements will be made with the tenant for the property to be inspected by a maintenance inspector, prior to the tenancy ending, to ensure it meets the expected standard set out in the tenancy conditions. The tenant will be advised at this stage of any repairs that they are likely to be recharged for unless rectified before the tenancy ends. However, some repairs for which the tenant is responsible may occur after the end of tenancy inspection has taken place or are not detectable until the dwelling is empty because of the nature of the repair, or for example, because of the presence of the tenant's furniture.

Any rechargeable works not carried out by the tenant before they vacate the property will be undertaken by the Council and the cost of the works will be recharged to the former tenant. A breakdown of the recharge work will be provided.

A situation may arise where an end of tenancy inspection is not able to be carried out in the presence of the tenant, for instance where the property has been abandoned. In these circumstances an empty property inspection will take place and a photographic record will be taken of any damage caused or work required to the property which is deemed to be the former resident's responsibility.

We will pursue any rechargeable repairs in accordance with the Council's Rent and other income collection policy, as well as our Rechargeable Repairs Policy.