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HOUSING SERVICES

Tel: 03450 450 051

Mon - Sat: 8.00am - 8.00pm (except Bank Holidays)

Fax: 01954 713148
duty.housing@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)

HOUSING ADVICE
Call for an appointment to ensure an advisor is available

8.30am - 5.00pm Mon - Thurs
8.30am - 4.30pm Fridays
housing.advice@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)


Address, directions & map to our headquarters

The Right to Repair

What is the Right to Repair?

As part of the Citizens Charter scheme, a new Right to Repair scheme was introduced for Council tenants from 1 April 1994.

The new Right to Repair is a scheme for Council tenants. It will make sure that certain small urgent repairs, which might affect your health, safety or security, are done quickly and easily. Council's will be told by law to carry out these repairs within a certain time.

If the repair is not completed within the priority time, you can request that another contractor completes the works. If the second contractor doesn't do the repair in time, the Council will pay you compensation.

The Council will inform you as to which repairs come under the new scheme and how long it has to carry them out. Repair times vary depending on the type of repair. For example, if your toilet isn't flushing, the Council usually has one working day to come and repair it. It has three working days to mend a loose banister rail and seven working days to mend a broken extractor fan in your bathroom or kitchen.

See repair priorities

What repairs qualify under the scheme?

Small repairs can be carried out up to the value of £250 if they are likely to affect your health, safely or security. These are called 'qualifying repairs'.

Qualifying repairs include:

• Unsafe power, lighting sockets or electrical fittings;
• Blocked flue to open fire or boiler;
• Leaking roof;
• Toilets which don't flush;
• Blocked sink, bath or basin;
• Leaking from a water or heating pipe, tank or cistern;
• Loose or broken banisters or hand rails.

Compensation

If the second contractor doesn't complete your repair in time, you will receive £10 in compensation. For every extra day from there, you will receive another £2. The most compensation you can receive for any one job is £50. The Council will pay your compensation - unless you already owe it some money. If you do owe money to the Council, that amount will be deducted from your compensation.

Sometimes there may be a good reason why a repair cannot be completed. For example, if you failed to keep your appointment the Council will not have to pay you any compensation.

How do I apply for compensation?

You must write in to housing services.

Important information to include:

• Your name
• Your address
• Details of the repair

What happens next?

The Housing Department will contact you within 14 days of receipt of your letter to notify you of the outcome.

For more information see your tenants handbook and Tenancy Agreement.