The Councils Responsibilities

Customer Care Code

Contractors working for SCDC have agreed to abide by a customer care code. This lays down that:

Contractors must minimise any inconvenience to tenants - dust, dirt and debris must be cleared from the site daily.
Homes must be left secure at all times, dustsheets must be provided as appropriate, all floor coverings must be covered, carpets must not be removed without the tenant's permission.
Where works are extensive a dilapidation survey of furniture, carpets and so on should be carried out and agreed in writing with the tenant before the works commence.
Workers must be polite and courteous at all times. Smoking and playing of radios is not permitted inside tenant's homes without their permission.

What are the Councils responsibilities?

SCDC will keep the property in good condition. They will repair and maintain:

the structure and exterior of the building - roofs, walls, floors, ceilings, window frames, external doors, drains, gutters, outside pipes kitchen and bathroom fixtures - basins, sinks, toilets, baths electrical wiring and gas and water pipes
heating and hot water installations any communal areas around your home - stairs, landings, lighting,entrance halls, paving,
shared gardens and parking areas.

They must paint the outside of the property at regular intervals (where necessary).

Repairs must be carried out in a reasonable time. When a repair is reported the tenant will be informed as to when the works will be completed, this will depend on how urgent the works are. Each job will be given a priority coding which decides how long it should take to complete.

They must clear up after a repair. They will leave the decoration as close as reasonably possible to how it was before the work was carried out.

Will I have to move out for repairs to be carried out?

There are special circumstances when the Council has the legal right to take possession of your home due to works needing to be carried out: They are:

If the property needs to be empty for major building repair
If the property needs to be empty for complete refurbishment
If the property has to be demolished.

You will be offered a suitable alternative home. You will usually be given help with moving costs and your move could be permanent or temporary. If you move temporarily we have the right to take possession of your temporary home when the work on your original property is complete.

Please refer to your Tenant's Handbook for more information about repairs to your home.