Whose responsibility is it?

You have certain basic responsibilities to keep your property in a reasonable condition, so that the need for repairs is minimised:

• Decorate inside, including filling minor cracks or holes in walls.
• Let us know as soon as you notice a repair is needed, and take action to prevent it from getting worse.
• Allow us into your home to carry out repairs, yearly safety checks and any inspections that are necessary.
• Repair and maintain any fixture, fitting or appliance you or a previous tenant have put in, unless we have an agreement to maintain it for you.
• Clear away rubbish from repairs or improvements you have carried out.
• Take action to prevent and control condensation.
• Take action to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting.

Read more about your responsibilities.

Tasks and repairs you are responsible for

We expect you to do these things yourself, or arrange and pay to get them done:

• Cleaning windows
• Cleaning extractor fans
• Replacing glass in windows or doors, unless the damage was outside your control
• Replacing keys or locks when keys are lost or when you get locked out
• Fitting and repairing extra door locks or latches
• Adjusting doors when you have fitted new carpets
• Renewing broken lines between clothes posts
• Replacing light bulbs, fluorescent tubes or starters
• Testing and cleaning smoke detectors, and replacing batteries
• Replacing electrical plugs (not sockets) and plug fuses to your own appliances
• Resetting trip switches
• Trying to clear blockages in basins, sinks, baths and toilets
• Replacing plugs and chains on baths, basins and sinks
• Fitting wastes and supply pipework for washing machines and dishwashers, and vents for tumble dryers
• Getting chimneys swept at least once a year
• Keeping gully grids clear of leaves and other debris
• Maintaining general garden paths (not those giving main access to your front and back doors)
• Repairing any fencing, steps, patios, sheds or other garden features we or the council did not originally provide.

If you are in ill health, vulnerable or disabled, and have no-one to help you, we may be able to do some of this work for you for a charge.

Tasks and repairs WDH are responsible for

We are responsible for maintaining:

• The structure and outside parts of the property you live in
• Shared areas
• Fixtures and fittings we have installed
• All water and gas pipes*
• All wiring and heating systems*
• All drainage*
• Power and light fittings*

(*These include any items we originally provided but not those that are listed as your responsibility.)