Repairs & Maintenance For Shared Owners

You are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the whole of the interior and exterior of your property.

We have the right to make an appointment with you to inspect the property. If repairs are needed, we will give you written notice to carry out the work. If you do not carry out the repairs, we will arrange to do the work but will charge you afterwards (“recharge” you) for the full cost.

Gas safety

Under your lease, you are responsible for keeping any appliances in your home in a safe condition. This is so that they do not cause danger to the flat or any of the people who live in it, or any other surrounding properties.

What do I have to do to make sure my gas appliances are safe?

You must have your gas appliances serviced every year by a recognised gas installer such as a Gas Safe Registerd engineer. If you do not do this, you may be breaking the conditions of the lease. We may ask you for evidence that you have had a safety check or service in the last 12 months.

Doing your own alterations

As a shared owner you have the right to improve your home, but you must have written permission from us. We will refuse permission only if we have a good reason. You may also need to get planning permission and building consent before starting work.

We do not need to know about minor work such as decorating but we do need to know about any alterations that affect the structure, walls, windows, floors, ceilings, door frames, plumbing, or electrical services.

What sort of alterations do I need permission for?

You need our permission for:

any addition or change to the structure or services in your home, including fixtures and fittings such as heating, kitchen units and bathroom replacement
aerials or satellite dishes
outside decoration (the type of paint may need approving so that it’s compatible with future paints we may use)
window replacement including doors.

How do I get permission?

Write to the Leasehold and Home Ownership Manager, Gloucester City Homes, Railway House, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DG. You will need to say exactly what you want to do and include a drawing or plan. A surveyor may need to visit to see what you intend to do, before we can make a decision.

We will give you an answer within 7 days of receiving your request, or 1 month if we need more information. If we refuse permission, we will tell you why. You then have the right to a review.

To ask for a review you will need to write to the Head of Property Services, Gloucester City Homes, Railway House, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DG, 4 weeks of being informed of the decision. We will review the case and let you know the outcome in writing. If permission is still not granted, we will tell you why.

If you are unhappy with the decision, you may take the matter to arbitration. You should get independent legal advice before taking this step, and be aware that you would be liable for part of the costs.

If we refuse permission, it will be for a good reason. If you go ahead with work after we have refused permission, you will be breaking the terms of your lease.

The permission we give you to go ahead with work is not the same as planning permission. You are responsible for getting any necessary planning permission or building regulations approval. We will normally make it a condition that you do this when we give you permission for the work.

If you do something without permission, we have the right to put things back as they were and charge you for it.

Grants you can get for improvements

Sometimes you may get financial help from the Council towards the cost of home improvement work or work to provide facilities for the disabled. Usually this is for people who are on a low income.

For more information please contact the Renewal and Regeneration Section, 75-81 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1PN. You should also refer to the requirements for carrying out improvements outlined above.

Energy efficiency

Saving energy concerns us all. We are affected by the cost of our fuel and the need to look after the environment. Some of us need to keep warm for health reasons. Others may have problems with condensation causing damp in the home. If you would like more information about saving energy, keeping warm, free grants or the other schemes that are available, please contact Warm and Well on (0800) 512012.