Compensation

Right to Repair

We aim to carry out all repairs to a good standard within priority timescales. If we have failed to carry out certain repairs within a certain time and you have given us reasonable access then you may use your legal ‘Right to Repair’.

The ‘Right to Repair’ is a scheme to make sure that certain small urgent repairs, which may affect your health, safety or security, are done quickly and safely.

These repairs are called Qualifying Repairs and are the Council’s responsibility:

  • unsafe power or lighting sockets or electrical fittings
  • blocked flue to open fire or boiler
  • leaking roof
  • toilets which don’t flush
  • blocked sink, bath or basin
  • leaking water pipes, tanks or cistern
  • loose or broken banisters or handrails

When you report any repair you will be issued with a receipt. This will tell you which Contractor will do the repair and when the repair should be completed. If the first Contractor does not do the repair in time you can contact the free-phone number 08000 855 808 and ask for a second Contractor to do the work. The second Contractor has the same time scale to complete the repair as the first.

The working day period stated on the Repairs Notice starts the day after the report is received. 'Weekends do not qualify as working days'. In cases of emergency at night and at week ends please ring free-phone 08000 855 808.

If the second Contractor fails to do your repair in time you can claim compensation. For every extra day you wait, you will get payment up to the maximum compensation allowed. We will pay you compensation unless you owe us any money. If you do, we will take it away from the amount you owe.

Information and a leaflet regarding the ’Right to Repair’ are available from your local Housing Office or by ringing Free-phone 08000 855 808.

Compensation for Damage

You may be able to claim compensation from the council if your belongings have been damaged during a repair, or because you have reported a problem and we have failed to come and repair it within our timescales.

We only pay compensation if we have been at fault - for example you can't claim if a pipe bursts and the water immediately damages a carpet, but you may be able to claim if you reported a leaking pipe straightaway and there is extra damage because we didn't respond within our timescales.

We'll deal with your claim quickly, but we'll visit your home to check the damage, and will investigate the circumstances fully to find out if we are at fault. Did you report the repair straightaway for instance? Was someone at home when we came to do it? Did the repair worker take reasonable care to avoid damage? If you think you may be able to claim compensation

Compensation for Improvements you have made: Qualifying Repairs

If you leave your council home, you may be eligible for compensation if you have made qualifying improvements.

You may be eligible for compensation if you have made any of these improvements:

  • Bath or shower
  • Wash hand-basin
  • Toilet
  • Kitchen sink
  • Storage cupboards
  • Kitchen work surfaces
  • Central heating or water heating
  • Thermostatic radiator valves
  • Insulation of pipes, water tank or cylinder
  • Loft insulation
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Draught proofing of external doors and windows
  • Double glazing, secondary glazing or other window replacement
  • Rewiring of electrical fittings
  • Any work that improves the security of the home - except burglar alarm

Ask at your local Housing Office for more information.

Get covered!

The best way to have peace of mind about your belongings is to get good household insurance. You may think that renting from the council means that we automatically insure your furniture, possessions and decorations. But that's not the case - and many people are left with unexpected bills when the damage has been done. The council's weekly-paid, insurance scheme makes it easy for you to get covered. Find out more about our household insurance scheme.

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