Disrepair
Tenants may report issues of disrepair to you during their tenancy. It's important that any matters of disrepair which present a risk to the health and safety of occupiers or visitors to the property are rectified as soon as possible, regardless of any other issues.
Should any matters of disrepair fail to be rectified, tenants can contact our Housing Standards Team. An inspection can be undertaken to assess any hazards within the property under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Any hazards identified will be assessed as being either Category 1 or Category 2 depending on their seriousness.
We'll make sure that any necessary works are carried out with your co-operation. If necessary, we may serve an enforcement notice to make sure that remedial action is taken. It's a criminal offence to fail to comply with any enforcement notices which may be served.
As of April 2018 the charge for serving an enforcement notice under the Housing Act 2004 is £500. We review this charge annually.
You must give at least 24 hours’ notice to your tenants to access your properties to undertake repairs. It's advisable that you do this in writing. Immediate access may be permitted in emergencies. For example; a suspected gas leak.
More information about making repairs within a private rented property can be found on the GOV.UK website.