Rechargeable Repairs

 Rechargeable repairs can happen when:

• You are leaving your home to move elsewhere and have left repairs or damage that under the Tenancy Agreement are your responsibility to repair; or
• You are staying in your home but have asked us to carry out a repair which under the Tenancy Agreement is your responsibility; or
• You, anyone living with you or your visitors have caused damage to your home or other council property

Moving house

When you tell us that you are leaving your home, we will send an officer around to inspect the property and give you advice on what needs to be done before you move. If they find any damage to your home or if you have made alterations without our permission, undertaken work which is not of a satisfactory standard or made the home unsafe—we will tell you. We will then give you the opportunity to put matters right before you leave.

If you prefer we can carry out the repairs for you but you will need to pay us for carrying out the work.

Once you have moved out a further inspection will be made. If it is found that the repairs or reinstatements have not been done or the work has been carried out in an unsatisfactory way, we will tell you, and then arrange to carry out the work ourselves and recharge you for the cost.

YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR REPAIRS CAUSED BY FAIR WEAR AND TEAR.

Routine maintenance

Under the Tenancy Agreement| certain repairs are your responsibility. These are set out in our Repairs Handbook| which is part of our Tenants Handbook.

This covers any damage which has been caused to your home, changes to your home which you have carried out without permission, and the repairs which are your responsibility to carry out, such as replacing door locks or keys when keys are lost or broken, or you get locked out; replacing window keys; getting extra keys cut; replacing glass in windows or doors unless you can provide us with a police crime reference number.

 Please remember that you are responsible for the actions of people living in your home and visitors to your home.

 Where we find or become aware of a rechargeable repair we will tell you. We will advise you of the cost and you will be asked to either pay immediately or sign an agreement confirming that you will pay the costs.

Repairs or servicing for leaseholders or shared owners.

 We have extended our repairs and gas servicing services to leaseholders and shared owners so that we can assist you to keep your homes in a good state of repair and your gas appliances checked and serviced annually to avoid any health & safety problems.

 All you need do is contact our Home Ownership Manager and ask us for a cost. Our contact details are on the back of this leaflet.

 If you wish us to carry out the repair or gas servicing then you will be asked to sign an agreement agreeing to pay the cost, before the work is completed.

How do I pay for the work to be done?

 We prefer you to pay for the work in full before the work is completed wherever you can.

 However we recognise that this may not always be possible so providing that you have completed the agreement, signed and returned it, we may be willing to let you:

• Pay in full on completion of the work; or
• Pay for the work in installments.

If you ask to pay for the work in installments we will consider with you your incomings and outgoings, to identify how much you can realistically afford to repay each week.

Wherever possible we will also try to ensure that you repay the cost within one year.

What if I disagree with the bill?

 If you disagree with the cost or are dissatisfied with the workmanship or you feel you should be exempt from paying the rechargeable repair because of some extenuating circumstances you should use our compliments, comments and complaints| system to make your views known.

As with any comment or complaint we will acknowledge receipt of your views within one day.

 We will also normally respond to you within 5 working days, unless it is a complicated case or involves another organisation. In this case we will agree a suitable response time with you.

For further information on compliments, comments and complaints please refer to either your Tenants Handbook| , Leaseholder Handbook| or Shared Owner Handbook| .

What happens if I don’t pay my bill?

If you fail to pay your bill then we will discuss with you how you can repay your debt as soon as possible.

If this fails we will refer your case to a debt collection agency and if you require assistance we will refer you to a local debt advice agency| .

If you still fail to pay within a reasonable time or you refuse to pay we will consider referring you to the Courts and in addition to repaying the debt we will be asking for you to repay all the administrative costs and court costs associated with getting you to repay the debt.

Not paying your debt can affect your right to buy your home, your credit rating and consequently make it more difficult for you to get credit from banks, building societies and other financial institutions.

Our Rechargeable Repairs Menu

 If you want a quote on any other repair not listed here please contact us| and we will happy to work out a price and contact you with our "quick quote" as soon as possible.

Rechargeable repair rates

Rechargeable Repairs Menu		£ Total Cost including VAT
Gain access by entry through window or force access through door per item		44.63
Replacing window key per item		2.80
Getting extra keys cut		Please ask
Replacing glass in windows or doors where you cannot provide us with a police crime reference number (D glazed)		103.24
Fitting bells to doors		27.91
Fitting latches to cupboards ,ie kitchen units any type per item		18.52
Fitting knobs to doors or cupboards per item		2.70
Fitting handles to doors or cupboards pull handle type per item		8.13
Fitting security chain to flush type door		8.15
Re-glaze Georgian wired cast up to 1 meter square		72.55
Fitting child restrictor to pvcu window per item		17.85
Adjusting doors, particularly when you have fitted carpets or laminate flooring		23.75
Fitting curtain rails		14.06
Fitting curtain picture rails and coat hooks		15.64
Replacing light bulbs, fluorescent tubes (single tube only)		4.25
Replacing TV sockets (unless communal aerials)		11.54
Testing and cleaning smoke detectors and replacing batteries in battery operated detectors		10.71
Renew fluorescent starter per item		16.15
Unblock wash hand basin or sink		11.89
Unblock bath waste		16.62
Replacing toilet seats		25.29
Replacing plugs and chains on baths		2.89
Replacing plugs and chains on basins		2.77
Replacing plugs and chains on sinks		4.94
Fitting wastes and pipe work for washing machines		48.18
Fitting wastes and pipe work for dishwashers using same code as washing machine		48.18
Fitting vents for tumble driers		45,10
Restring clothes line		18.70
Maintaining general garden paths – renew 1 square meter of concrete path		68.60
Maintaining general garden paths – renew 1 square meter of tarmac path		44.88
Maintaining general garden paths – lift and re-bed single pre-cast concrete slab		7.14

Further Information

For further information on rechargeable repairs please contact us| , refer to your Repairs Handbook| or if you want the above information in leaflet form please download our Rechargeable Repairs| leaflet.