Responsibilities

Our Responsibilities

We will keep in repair the structure and exterior of the house, including:

• Drains, gutters and external pipes (this does not include the clearance of blockages caused by the tenant's negligence)
• The roof
• Outside walls, outside doors, window sills, window catches and window frames (including external painting and decoration)
• Internal walls, floors and ceilings, doors, door frames and internal staircases and landings (but not including painting and decoration)
• Chimneys, chimney stacks and flues (but not including chimney sweeping)
• Pathways, steps and other means of access
• Plasterwork
• Integral garages and stores
• Boundary walls and fences

We will keep in repair and in proper working order, any installations we have provided for space heating, water heating and sanitation and for the supply of water, gas and electricity, including:

• Basins, sinks, baths, toilets, flushing systems and waste pipes, showers, water tanks.
• Electric wiring, fireplaces, fitted fires and central heating installations, door entry systems, communal TV aerials and extractor fans.
• Smoke detectors (except batteries).
• Installations include those which we own or lease which directly or indirectly serve the house.  We will not, however, be responsible for repair of any fixtures and fittings not belonging to us which make use of gas, electricity or water.  Neither will we be responsible for the repair or maintenance of anything installed by you or belonging to you which you would be entitled to remove from the house at the end of the tenancy unless we have specifically agreed.
• We will inspect annually any gas installations in the house provided by us.  We will provide you with a copy of the inspection report within 28 days of the inspection.  If the inspection reveals the need for repair or replacement of any such installation, we will do so within a reasonable period.  We will give you a copy of the current inspection record before the beginning of the tenancy.
• If your house is served by a communal television or communications aerial provided by us, we will take reasonable steps to repair any defect within a reasonable period, whilst in the opinion of the Association it is economical to do so.  Where repairs or maintenance have to be done, we will make reasonable efforts to minimise disruption to you. 

We will take all reasonable steps, together with any other joint owners of the water supply installations, to comply with the Water Bye-laws in force in your area. The Bye-laws, among other things, specify that:

• All storage cisterns must be properly installed having regard to the need for prevention of waste and contamination and insulation against frost.
• The stopcocks and servicing valves must be placed so that they can be readily examined, maintained and operated with reasonable practicability.
• The water pipes, both inside and outside the house, must be effectively protected against freezing and damage from other causes.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for taking reasonable care of the house. This responsibility includes internal decoration and carrying out the following minor repairs:

• Plugs and chains on sanitaryware
• Internal door handles
• Replacing lost or broken keys (including any costs incurred through forcing entry)
• Smoke detector batteries
• Damage as a result of negligence to glass, sinks or sanitary ware
• In general, damage caused willfully, accidentally or negligently by tenants, anyone living with a tenant or a visitor to the tenant's home
• You must also keep the house in a reasonable state of cleanliness

NB. You are not responsible for carrying out repairs that are due to fair wear and tear.