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How do I report a repair? See our Reporting Repairs web page.
Quick links
What repairs am I responsible for?
- Renewing electric fuses, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes.
- Replacing broken or lost keys and the changing of any lock in consequence.
- Replacing all clothes lines and posts, including rotary drying equipment.
- Sweeping chimneys and flues regularly and properly.
- Replacing or repairing any part of the premises that is damaged through the neglect or carelessness of you, a member of your household or a visitor.
- Replacing lost or damaged beyond repair, wheelie bins.
- Replacing or repairing plugs and chains to sinks, baths and basins.
- Keeping the property free from vermin, including ants and wasps nests, fleas, bugs and rats.
- Repairs including structural ones if you, other residents or visitors have caused the problem.
- Repairs to any fixtures, which you have installed and are entitled to remove.
What is the Council responsible for?
We are responsible for repairs to certain fixtures and fittings, the structure and the outside of your home including:
- Drains, gutters and external pipes.
- Electric wiring, gas and water pipes.
- Roof, walls, floors, ceiling, window frames, doors.
- Kitchen and bathroom fixtures - basins, sinks, toilets, baths and showers, where fitted by us.
- Heating equipment (but not your own appliances).
- Communal areas around your home - stairs, lifts, landings, paving, shared gardens.
What service standards can I expect?
- We will deal with your request quickly, politely and accurately, based on the information received.
- We will ensure that you and your home are treated with care and respect at all times.
- We will ensure that the work is done on time, to a high standard and to your satisfaction.
- After the repair we will inspect a percentage of jobs to ensure quality and value for money.
Will I be charged for any repairs?
Please refer to your Tenancy Agreement for a comprehensive list of the repairs that you are responsible for.
If a repair arises from your own neglect or misuse e.g if you lose your house keys and need to gain entry. You would be responsible for the repair, or replacement of any of the council's fixtures and fittings e.g. door frames or glass (panes).
Some items can be covered by your household contents insurance and you should ensure that you have sufficient cover for such items as wash hand basins, WC pans, glass and lost keys.
If we have to carry out any works you will normally be charged for the cost of the works charged to us by the contractor plus 15% to cover our administration time and value added tax currently 20%.
It will normally be cheaper for you to have the work completed by a local contractor but you should obtain a quotation from a contractor before you agree for the works to be carried out.
The work must be carried out to Babergh District Council standards.
What is access required for?
The local authority has a duty to maintain and service mechanical and electrical appliances within its housing stock. It also has a duty to gather accurate information regarding the condition of its properties.
Access is required for:-
- servicing, repairs and renewal to appliances
- the undertaking of structural and condition surveys.
What works are covered by the Right to Repair Regulations?
The Government’s Right to Repair Regulations 1994 gives you the right to have certain urgent repair works carried out within set time limits. A complete list of the "repairs", indicating when they are to be completed, is shown below.
The Council is allowed to appoint a second contractor if the work is not carried out within the time period for a ‘qualifying repair’
Under the regulations, you may be entitled to receive compensation from the Council if the Council’s contractor, within the prescribed time limit has not carried out the repairs.
After you have reported a repair you will automatically be sent a repair satisfaction form. Please complete and return it to tell us about the contractor’s performance, alternatively complete and submit the online satisfaction form.
Repairs and qualifying periods
| Detail of repair work
| Qualifying Period |
| Total loss of electric power |
1 day |
| Unsafe power or lighting socket or electrical fitting |
1 day |
| Partial loss of water supply |
3 days |
| Blocked flue to open fire or boiler |
1 day |
| Total/partial loss of space/water heating (May -Oct) |
3 days |
| Blocked or leaking foul drain, soil stack or (where there is no other working toilet in the dwelling) toilet pan |
1 day |
| Leaking from water or heating pipe, tank or cistern |
1 day |
| Insecure external window, door or lock |
1 day |
| Rotten timber flooring or stair tread |
3 days |
| Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working |
7 days |
| Partial loss of electrical power |
3 days |
| Total loss of water supply |
1 day |
| Total or partial loss of gas supply |
1 day |
| Total/partial loss of space/water heating (November - April) |
1 day |
| Toilet not flushing (where there is no other working toilet in the dwelling) |
1 day |
| Blocked sink, bath or basin |
3 days |
| Tap which cannot be turned |
3 days |
| Leaking roof |
7 days |
| Loose or detached banister or hand rail |
3 days |
| Door entry phone not working |
7 days |
Please ask for a copy of the leaflet ‘A better deal for tenants – your new Right to Repair’
We will carry out surveys on a proportion of all repairs. If you are unhappy with the repair please ring or write to the council so that we get a chance to remedy the problem.
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