Rechargeable Repairs
Significant leaks or flooding from water or heating pipes, tanks, cisterns 1 Loss or partial loss of gas supply 1 Loss or partial loss of space or water heating where no alternative heating is available 1 Toilet not flushing where there is no other toilet in the house 1 Unsafe power or lighting socket, or electrical fitting.
Tenants may be recharged if they fail in any of their responsibilities i.e. The Association may carry out the works and recover the costs from the tenant.
Tenants should be mindful of the fact that repairs attended to in the evening and at weekends can be very expensive. If a rechargeable repair can reasonably be left until the first available working day then your costs will be far less.
Please find below some common examples of repairs that are rechargeable to the Tenant.
1. Blocked WC’s sinks, showers etc.
Proper and regular cleaning should prevent the occurrence of blockages. Tenants should not dispose of oil and fat, excessive grease, tea leaves etc down the sink, the build up of hair etc should be cleared from plug holes, waste traps etc and it is strongly advised that over the rim WC toilet blocks, cleaners or fresheners are not used especially where there are children in the house. Blockages occurring as a result of broken pipe work are comparatively rare and these are not rechargeable to the tenant.
2. Washing Machines
Leaks from washing machine connections, door seals etc are very common indeed and repairs resulting from these are the responsibility of the tenant. Flooding can create serious difficulties to downstairs neighbours in particular and the greatest of care should be taken when installing your machine. You should never leave leaks unchecked no matter how small and have these attended to immediately by a plumber or washing machine engineer.
3. Lost Keys
Tenants who lock themselves out or who lose their keys and who then require a contractor to force entry to the property will be recharged for this and any subsequent damage to windows, doors, door frames, locks etc incurred in gaining entry. Often these repairs occur out of hours and incur the high costs of an emergency call-out. It is recommended therefore that wherever possible tenants leave a spare set of keys with a friend or relative.
4. Faulty Appliances
Household appliances are owned and maintained by the tenant. A faulty appliance can often ‘trip’ the electric R.C.D.’s / circuit breaker resulting in a temporary partial loss of power. Tenants are advised to unplug all appliances, reset the circuit breaker and then plug in their appliances one at a time until the system trips again. The last appliance to be plugged in is the faulty appliance. This procedure can be explained to you in detail and if necessary demonstrated by arrangement with the Maintenance Officer. If however an electrician is called out to attend to a fault, which turns out to be due to an appliance, then costs will be recharged to the tenant.
5. General Neglect
Abuse of the property including its fixtures and fittings is not reasonable wear and tear and will be recharged to the tenant. Common examples are holes in doors, loose or missing kitchen unit doors and drawer fronts, burns to work tops, gas fires painted, unapproved removal of heating or other appliances provided by the Association, closes and bin store areas not cleaned, failure to report minor repairs which then become more serious and costly.
6. End of Tenancy Repairs
When a tenant gives up their tenancy they are obliged to return two sets of keys to the Association and to leave the property in a clean and habitable condition. The property should be emptied of all tenants possessions and household goods including floor coverings, furniture, rubbish etc. Washing machine connections and waste pipes should be properly capped and made safe. Any fittings that the tenant has installed or for which they are responsible and intend to remove should be made good. i.e. If removing fittings then the original arrangements provided by the Association must be properly reinstated. If at the end of tenancy these items have not been attended to then the Association will have them carried out and recharge costs to the outgoing tenant.
7. Rubbish Disposal
Tenants are required to deposit rubbish in the wheelie bins provide and ensure the bin is taken out for collection each week.
Bulk household items can be collected by West Dunbartonshire Council by telephoning them on 01389 737000. In cases where tenants have not complied with this, resulting in rubbish or household items lying in the communal areas, offending tenants will be recharged.
