My repairs
The responsibilities for looking after your home are shared jointly between you and us.
We are responsible for maintaining:
- the structure and outside of your home
- the shared (or communal) areas
- fixtures and fittings that we have provided.
We are responsible for most repairs, maintenance and servicing needed to the property as a result of fair wear and tear. You are responsible for a number of minor repairs and decorating the inside of your home.
We want to maintain your home as best we can, and rely on you to help us by reporting repairs quickly and allowing us into your home to carry out the necessary work.
Our responsibilities, as set out in the Tenancy Agreement, are:
- External repairs and maintenance
- Lift maintenance
- Communal lighting
- Drains and gutters
- Communal parts repairs
- Exterior painting
- Windows (excluding glazing and cleaning)
- Communal and hard surface pathways
- Fitted radiators installed by us
- Estate lighting and amenity areas (except public services or parish lights on a public thoroughfare)
- Communal TV aerials and satellite systems
- Gas and water pipes
- Electrical wiring and sockets/switches
- Hot water systems, central heating and solar panels where fitted
- Basins, sinks, baths, showers and toilets installed by us.
You are responsible for reporting problems or repairs needed to any of the items listed above. We ask that you report issues as soon as possible so that we can reduce:
- the inconvenience to you
- the cost of the work, which could get worse if the fault is just left.
You are also responsible for reporting repairs to communal areas- do not assume someone else will report a problem!
Under the Tenancy Agreement you are responsible for the minor repairs and for keeping the inside of your home painted and decorated.
We do not allow you to use wallpaper or paper borders to decorate your property (due to the cost of removing them later) and we only allow you to use neutral paint colours.
You are responsible for:
- replacing damaged door handles, knockers, letterboxes and gate catches
- replacing plugs and chains in baths, basins and sinks as necessary
- replacing broken toilet seats and lids
- replacing broken shower head and hose
- shower poles and shower curtains
- replacing broken windows and glass
- replacing damaged floor and wall tiles
- regularly testing fire alarms (where fitted), plus replacing batteries
- keeping drains, grilles and waste pipes clear and regularly flushed
- replacing fuses, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and starters and re-setting trip switches
- repairing electrical circuits if damaged by your faulty appliances
- any damage caused to property or fixtures and fittings supplied by the GHA.
These are known as your repairing responsibilities.
You will also have to pay for:
- Any repairs that are needed because the property has been damaged, misused or neglected by you, your family or visitors
- Making good any damage caused to the estate by you, your family or visitors
- Clearing any blockage to drains or waste pipes caused through misuse or your failure to keep them clean
- The cost of replacing fuses and resetting trip-switches if you have a faulty appliance
- The cost of the insurance excess when a claim is made for your property on the buildings insurance
- The cost of call outs and repairs done out of hours by contractors when the problem is not a 'same day' emergency repair, or GHA’s responsibility.
The GHA appreciates that smoking is a personal choice and will not prohibit any resident smoking in their own home.
However, we also have a duty of care to members of staff and contractors so they can carry out their duties in a smoke-free environment.
If you smoke and have a pre-arranged visit with any member of GHA staff or contractor then we kindly ask if you could please refrain from smoking for at least half an hour before the visit and ensure the property is fully ventilated.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and we hope it does not cause any inconvenience.