Rechargeable Repairs
What is a rechargeable repair?
A rechargeable repair is a repair, repair service, visit or clearance that's necessary due to one of the circumstances outlined below.
Tenant responsibilities
Your Tenancy Agreement sets out which repairs you're responsible for. You must keep your home in a reasonable condition and leave it clean and tidy when your tenancy ends. It states that we will recharge the tenant for the cost of making good any damage they have caused and/or clearing any items left behind.
Unauthorised and substandard alterations
If a tenant undertakes any alterations to a Council property without prior written consent from us or if the works are not up to an acceptable standard, they will be requested to make good. If they fail to complete works to an acceptable standard then the tenant will be recharged for any costs incurred. They will also be required to seek retrospective consent from us.
Neglect, misuse or wilful damage to the property
Where we have clear evidence that a defect or damage to any Council property has been caused by neglect, misuse or wilful damage by the tenant, resident or by members of the household including visitors to their home, the tenant/resident will be held responsible and will be recharged for costs incurred.
Accidental, deliberate or criminal damage
Where works are required because the tenant, resident, a member of their household or a visitor to their home has deliberately or accidently caused damage to the property, the tenant/resident will be recharged. This includes damage to any Council property for example fixtures and fittings in their home, gardens, garages or any communal fixtures or fittings owned by the Council and that are the responsibility of the tenant/resident to replace or repair if lost and/or damaged.
What if I'm not at fault?
If the property has been damaged due to criminal activity, for example a smashed window or doors forced, where there is a valid crime reference from the Police, the repair will not be recharged to the tenant. We will liaise with the Police after the crime has been logged to ensure that they are satisfied that a crime has been committed but if the incident has been incorrectly reported, we will recharge for the repair.
Other reasons for rechargeable repairs
Misuse of reporting repairs
Genuine emergencies must be reported to ensure tenants/residents are safe and secure in their homes. However, if the repair is not an emergency or not as urgent as they stated or it's for work which is not considered to be our responsibility, we reserve the right to recharge any costs incurred for making this visit. Tenants are referred to the Repairs Handbook for further information on the definitions of emergency and urgent repairs. Alternatively, further information can be found here
No access
Where the tenant has refused access for us to carry out our statutory obligations, for example the annual gas service, we will recharge the tenant for any costs incurred to gain access. This may include obtaining an Injunction. If a tenant is out when we visit for a pre-arranged repair appointment, we may recharge for any costs incurred. This charge will be at least £20.00.
Assignments - Mutual exchanges
Prior to a mutual exchange of properties between tenants, we'll inspect the property to identify repairs and any tenant improvements or fixtures which are not our responsibility. We will advise the incoming tenant that in assigning or surrendering their tenancy they accept the property in its existing condition. The tenant will be required to sign a disclaimer to this effect that places the costs of works arising from the exchange to fall on them as the in-coming tenant. In particular the tenant will be informed in writing of:
- Any fixtures and fittings installed by the outgoing tenant which are not the landlord’s responsibility
- Defects caused by the outgoing tenant which are not the landlords responsibility, such as broken door handles or holes in walls
Common rechargeable repairs
The most common rechargeable repairs include:
- Blocked toilets where tenants have not tried clearing when asked
- Loss of power where tenants have not tried resetting trip switches when asked
- Replacement locks where tenants have lost keys
- Boarding up broken windows
- Charges for ‘carded’ appointments - that is where we agree an appointment with a tenant and no-one is home
- Damage to homes identified during the void period
- Clearance to homes during the void period
What can you do if you’re not happy about a recharge?
If you've received a recharge invoice and would like clarification what it's about, or you wish to dispute it, please Contact us specifying your name and address.
If you wish to raise a formal complaint, please see our Feedback and complaints page.
What if you feel you're entitled to compensation?
We have a Tenant Compensation Policy, which outlines details of statutory and discretionary compensation.