Housing Repairs and Improvements

Right to repairs

The right to repair scheme is for council tenants. It makes sure that repairs that might affect your health, safety or security are completed quickly and easily. By lawwe must complete these within a certain time.

Type of repairHow long will it take
Blocked flue to open fire or boiler1 working day
Blocked or leaking foul drain, soil stack or – where there is no other working toilet in the property – toilet pan1 working day
Blocked sink, bath or basin3 working days
Door entry phone not working7 working days
Insecure external window, door or lock1 working day
Leaking from water or heating pipe, tank or cistern1 working day
Leaking roof7 working days
Loose or detached bannister or hand rail3 working days
Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working7 working days
Partial loss of electric power3 working days
Partial loss of water supply3 working days
Rotten timber flooring or stair tread3 working days
Tap which cannot be turned3 working days
Toilet not flushing, where there is no other working toilet in the property1 working day
Total loss of electric power1 working day
Total loss of water supply1 working day
Total or partial loss of gas supply1 working day
Total or partial loss of space or water heating between 30 April and 1 November3 working days
Total or partial loss of space or water heating between 31 October and 1 May1 working day
Unsafe power or lighting socket, or electrical fitting1 working day

You should also read when you may not receive a repair.

For repairs listed in the table above, if we don't complete the repair within the specified time and there is no good reason for the delay you can ask for a second contractor to complete the work. If the second contractor doesn't finish the works in time you may be entitled to compensation.

You could receive £10 in compensation and an additional £2 for every day after the target date, up to £50.

There may be a good reason why the repair was not completed, such as the resident missing an appointment. No compensation would be paid if this happens.