Responsibility for repairs

You have a legal right to have certain types of repairs, known as qualifying repairs, carried out in specific timescales. If those repairs are not carried out within these timescales, you can claim compensation. A full list of the qualifying repairs, showing the response time (in working days), is shown below:

• Total loss of electric power: one day
• Partial loss of electric power: three days
• Unsafe power or lighting socket or electrical fitting: one day
• Total loss of water supply: one day
• Partial loss of water supply: three days
• Total or partial loss of gas supply: one day
• Blocked flue on open fire or boiler: one day
• Heating or hot water not working between 31 October and 1 May: one day
• Heating or hot water not working between 1 May and 31 October: three days
• Blocked or leaking foul drain, soil stack or toilet: one day
• Toilet not flushing (if it is the only toilet in your home): one day
• Blocked sink, bath or basin: three days
• Water tap that cannot be turned: three days
• Leak from a water pipe, tank or toilet cistern: one day
• Leaking roof: seven days
• Insecure external window, door or lock: one day
• Loose or detached banister or handrail: three days
• Rotten wooden flooring or stair tread: three days
• Door entry phone not working: seven days
• Mechanical extractor fan not working: seven days

A repair won’t qualify for the scheme if one of the following applies:

• It exceeds an estimated cost of £250
• The local authority has fewer than 100 properties
• The local authority isn’t responsible for the repair

For further information on your rights, please visit Right to Repair Regulations – local authority only (legislation.gov.uk)

Last updated: 09/04/2024 09:56