Responsibilities

Our responsibilities

We are responsible for repairing and maintaining the structure of the property you live in. This includes all the external parts and any internal fixtures and fittings originally provided by the Council but not those that are listed as, or we have told you are, your responsibility.

We are also responsible for all pipes, wiring, heating systems, drainage, power and light fittings and communal areas and facilities.

In the garden we are responsible for:

any fences and walls we provided at the beginning of the tenancy
main paths that lead to the front and back doors
brick outbuildings and coal bunkers.

Joint responsibility for safety

We carry out an annual safety check and service in every property with an oil and gas supply or with a solid fuel (coal) heating system. This includes sweeping of chimneys.

You must let engineers from our gas and solid fuel servicing contractors into your home and allow them to carry out the safety checks and any servicing.

Note: If you do not let us in, we will take legal action to get into your home. We will charge you for the cost of doing this.

Your responsibilities are:

to keep your property clean and in good decorative order inside including repairing minor cracks or holes in walls or ceilings
to take reasonable steps to prevent damage once a repair has been identified
to allow us access to your property to carry out annual safety checks and any inspections that are necessary
to repair and maintain any fixture, fitting or appliance you have put in
to take action to prevent and control condensation. See Condensation
to keep your home properly heated to prevent frozen or burst pipes. See Cold weather.

You must also arrange to do certain minor tasks and repairs. See What you must do.

Damage and charging

If you, or anyone in your home cause damage to your home, we expect you to arrange for it to be repaired. However, if it involves broken glass, or your gas or electricity supply, we must carry out the work.

If damage is caused by a break-in or vandalism, we will carry out work to make your home safe. We will only do further work if you supply us with a Police Crime Report Number (not an Incident Number).

All repair work must be done by fully-qualified trades persons. If you want A1 Housing to do the work, we will give you an estimated cost (which includes an administration charge).

We may carry out a repair and not make a charge for certain individuals or households if they have particular difficulties. See What if I need help?.