Housing repair responsibilities

We expect you to carry out minor repairs and replacements including:

• oiling locks, hinges, and ventilators
• changing fuses, plugs and light bulbs
• replacing plugs and chains in baths, sinks and basins
• replacing toilet seats and bath panels
• bleeding air from unsealed radiators
• fitting draught excluders
• providing your own washing lines and posts (except when these are shared)
• replacing locks and handles on doors inside your home
• replacing letter boxes and doorbells

You are also responsible for:

• internal decoration (please see important safety information on asbestos)
• repairing and keeping up to standard any work you have done to your home
• cleaning smoke detectors and changing their batteries, if you have installed them yourself
• repairing any damage caused by you, someone who lives with you, or a visitor to your home
• keeping your garden in a tidy state
  
• dealing with household pests (except when we are legally responsible, for example if your home has rats or cockroaches)
• dustbins and wheelie bins
• repairing broken windows (except when you can give us a crime number obtained from the Police or you are suffering harassment)
• damage to your home unless it is caused maliciously by others. You should report criminal damage to the Police and obtain a crime reference number before reporting the repair to us
• the safekeeping of your keys including providing spares (we do not keep spare sets of keys for properties)
  

Unsure if you are responsible?

The repairs team will tell you if a repair is your responsibility. If we carry out a repair that is your responsibility then you will be charged for it. If you think you may have asbestos in your home phone us for guidance first on 0330 119 3000 or email housing.repairs@waverley.gov.uk.

Handy hints for householders

Get advice and tips on doing basic repairs tasks around the home.

Page owner: Chris Slade. Last updated: 03/02/2012 13:59