Repairs- Right To Repair
The Right to Repair is a scheme to ensure that urgent repairs, those which affect your health, safety or security up to the value of £250, are carried out quickly and properly.
How does the scheme work?
You must first report the repair to us in the normal way.
If the repair comes under the Right to Repair scheme we make sure the contractor knows this and the time in which the repair must be done.
We will send you a confirmation letter that indicates the repair is a 'qualifying repair' and covered by this scheme. If the first contractor does not do your repair in the stated time, you must tell us so we can get a second contractor to do the work. We will of course take into account any circumstances which have prevented the contractor carrying out the repair, for example if their are difficulties in getting replacement parts or if you didn't keep your appointment.
We will send you a second confirmation card showing who the second contractor is. The second contractor is given the same amount of time to carry out the repair.
If the second contractor does not do the repair in the stated time, you will receive £10 in compensation. For every day you wait, you will receive a further £2.
The most compensation you can get for any one job is £50. However, if you owe us any money, we will deduct the amount you owe from the compensation.
The type of repair and the time permitted to complete the repair (works on this list will be ordered by trade and priority)
1 | Total loss of electric power | 24 hrs |
2 | Partial loss of electric power | 5 days |
3 | Unsafe power or light fittings | 24 hrs |
4 | Total loss of water supply | 24 hrs |
5 | Partial loss of water supply | 5 days |
6 | Total or partial loss of gas supply | 24 hrs |
7 | Blocked flue to open fire or boiler | 24 hrs |
8 | Total / partial loss of space heating, water heating between 31 October and 1 May | 24 hrs |
9 | Total / partial loss of space heating or water heating between 30 April and 1 November | 5 days |
10 | Blocker or leaking drain, soil stack, or toilet pan (if there is no other working toilet in the house) | 24 hrs |
11 | Blocked sink, bath or basin | 5 days |
12 | Tap that cannot be turned | 5 days |
13 | Insecure outside window, door or lock | 24 hrs |
14 | Loose or detached banister or hand rail | 5 days |
15 | Water leak from heating pipe or cistern | 24 hrs |
16 | Rotten timber flooring or stair treads | 5 days |
17 | Leaking roof | Between 24 hrs and 5 days depending on circumstances |
18 | Mechanical fan in kitchen or bathroom not working | 5 days |
The following are some exceptions to the right of a repair:
- A repair that will cost over £250
- Where you don't let the contractor in
- In shared areas in blocks of flats
- Where you no longer want the work done
Also the scheme may be suspended in very rare situations such as work that is guaranteed by a builder or in severe weather conditions.