Repair Responsibilities, do you know yours?

In our General Needs homes SAHA is responsible for repairing the structure and outside of our properties and for making sure fixtures and fittings for electricity, gas, sanitation and water are safe and in working order. These are our statutory repair obligations.

 Section five of the General Needs Resident Handbook outlines the repairs that are your responsibility. We would expect you to carry out these at your own cost.  Alternatively, you may request that SAHA carry them out, but you will need to pay SAHA the cost of completing the works, prior to the order being made. 

 In exceptional circumstances, such as in an emergency situation or if a resident is particularly vulnerable, we will complete the repair without receiving full payment, but will expect some form of contribution and an appropriate payment plan agreement, prior to instructing a contractor to attend.

 Examples of such repairs include: -

 Clearing the waste to a blocked sink, bath, toilet or basin.

• Blocked drains - if you caused the blockage.
• Bleeding of radiators.
• Replacing lost or damaged keys.
• Replacing keys and locks to internal doors.
• Mortice locks (unless supplied by the Association).
• Mending fuses/replacing batteries for door bells etc.
• W.C. seats.

(This is not a full list and further information can be found in your resident handbook)

 You are also responsible for damaged items such as broken windows, damaged doors (if the damage was caused by your family), visitors or yourself. However, if any damage occurred as a result of anti-social behaviour please report the incident to the police, obtain a crime reference number and report both the damage and the number to SAHA and a repair will be carried out without recharge.

 Leaving SAHA

 If you choose to leave your property, an arrangement will be made for an inspection prior to you leaving. The purpose of this inspection is for staff to explain to you what you need to do to hand the property back to the SAHA. 

 When leaving the property should be clean and in a good state of repair; with any unauthorised alterations corrected and all furniture, personal possessions and rubbish cleared. 

 You may be entitled to £50.00 in a reward voucher if you leave the property in a clean and tidy state and you have a clear rent account!

 If you live in a SAHA supported housing project, for example a foyer or lifehouse, you repair responsibilities are different and should be discussed with the local Manager or your Project Worker.