Information about which repairs and maintenance you are responsible for and which the Council are responsible for.
Repairs the Council are responsible for:
We are responsible for keeping in good repair the structure and exterior of the premises, examples include:
Systems providing heating, gas, electricity and water in your home including:
- heating systems, water heaters fitted by the Council and including heat pumps
- fires fitted by the Council (if beyond repair the fire will not be replaced)
- electrical circuits, sockets and switches
- internal pipes, baths, sinks, basins, toilets and showers (installed by Wealden District Council)
- other appliances we put in and own (such as communal television aerials and door entry systems)
- annual servicing of Council gas and heat pump appliances
Exterior of your Home:
- external paint work
- chimneys, chimney stacks and flues but not including sweeping
- drains, gutters and outside pipes
- roofs, external walls and floors
- windows
- paths and steps
- fences, walls and gates erected and owned by the Council
Interior of your home:
The Council is responsible for the following interior repairs due only to natural wear and tear. We are not responsible when damage has been caused through misuse.
- walls
- floors and ceilings
- plaster work
- doors and door frames
- door fittings – locks, handles, hinges and letter boxes
- windows and window frames
- kitchen units and bathrooms
Communal area and facilities:
- lifts and entry phone systems
- shared entrances, halls, stairs and passages
- painting the inside and outside of shared areas
- parking arrears and any other shared area
Repairs and maintenance you are responsible for:
- insuring your possessions against loss, damage or theft
- changing locks following loss of keys, fitting additional locks or cutting keys
- gaining access if locked out
- washing lines (unless communal ones)
- floor coverings
- internal painting and decorating of your home
- setting heating controls, attempting to re light boilers and bleeding radiators (if you live in sheltered housing you should speak to your scheme manager)
- solid fuel heating – following the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the system runs safely
- keeping air bricks and ventilators clear
- sweeping chimneys – at least twice a year by a professional chimney sweep
- replacing strip lighting tubes, light bulbs, fuses, starter motors for strip lights, plugs for baths, sinks and basins
- treating household pests
- maintaining private gardens, hedges and fences you have erected
- repairing, servicing and maintaining your own improvements, fixtures and fittings
- repairing damage you have done to the property, fixtures and appliances
- clearing rubbish from the property and the garden
- glazing, unless the breakage is the result of an incident and a Police crime number can be supplied
- good housekeeping – i.e. tightening screws, oiling hinges, changing tap washes, cleaning windows
- clearance of blockages caused by your neglect
You are responsible for keeping the property clean and in good decorative order. You are also responsible for any repairs caused by neglect, misuse or wilful damage by your household or visitors.
If the Council carries out repairs due to damage or misuse you will be charged.
If any of these responsibilities are difficult due to disability or age we will try to assist – please call the Housing Customer Services team on 01323 443322.
Solid Fuel Heating Systems
If you have a solid fuel heating system – coal or wood burning, you need to follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s operating handbook.
If you do not have a copy of the handbook contact the Housing Services Department on 01323 443322 to obtain a copy.
Following the maintenance instructions will help to ensure that the system operates safely and that carbon monoxide (which is highly dangerous) does not build up.
Ensure that you:
- Clean the appliance in accordance with the manufacturer’s handbook.
- Get the chimney cleaned and swept at least twice a year by a professional chimney sweep.
- Empty and check the ash can every day to prevent ash or soot building up.
- Keep vents and airbricks clear.
- Always use the right fuel.
Carbon monoxide alarms can be purchased from most DIY stores.