There are two types of repairs you would be charged for:
- When the damage has been caused by you, a member of your household or an invited guest through misuse or negligence or maliciously.
- If you've accidentally damaged something that you should normally repair yourself but you're unable to arrange the repair and ask our property services team to organise.
Repairs you should do yourself
The things you should normally repair or do yourself, at your own cost, include fixtures and fittings you've installed yourself, curtain poles, garden maintenance, minor plaster cracks and boundary fences. These are just a few examples. More detailed information is contained in your tenant handbook.
Vandalism or malicious damage caused by others
If you're reporting damage caused by others, you need to know that:
- before you contact us to arrange the repair, you must report the incident to the police
- you must get a police crime incident log number
- you must give that crime number to us when you report the repair
- if you can't provide a crime number, you may be charged for the repair
Decoration
If we damage your decoration while carrying out major work, such as rewiring, you may be able to get a decoration grant to help towards the cost of decorating materials. It's usually given as a payment into your rent account, if you pay some or all of the rent yourself. If you're on full housing benefit and don't pay any rent yourself, the grant would usually be paid into your bank account.
Talk to the property services surveyor looking after the work project at your home, or contact your neighbourhood office, to find out more or apply for a grant.