Over the last few years, the number of repairs reported to Hastoe has greatly increased, as have the costs of labour and materials. As a result, we now need to be very strict in implementing our repairs policy and tenancy agreements.
While we understand these tighter controls will be disappointing for tenants, they do mean that the most essential repairs will be given priority, and contractors will not be able to create additional work. These measures will ensure tenants receive a fairer and improved service because contractors will be required to focus on carrying out important repairs that are Hastoe’s responsibility.
In most cases we will not now deploy a contractor where the repair is a tenant’s responsibility or when it has been caused by damage or neglect. The only exception to this is where the damage has created a health and safety issue, such as a broken fire door. In these cases the full cost of the repair will need to be recharged to the tenant. It is important that tenants check whether a repair is their responsibility before they report it.
Tenants should ensure they have sufficient home contents insurance to cover the cost of accidental or criminal damage. Where the repair of damage is a tenant's responsibility, Hastoe will not carry out a repair except to make the situation safe.
To help tenants understand their responsibilities, we have included below a list of common misunderstandings.
See the full list of repairs and small jobs to your home that you are responsible for
Criminal damage
If a problem is caused by vandalism or a break-in, you must report it to the police and get a crime reference number (not an incident number). You will need to cover the cost yourself or claim on your home insurance.
Pests
It continues to be your responsibility to deal with pest problems such as fleas, wasps, bees and vermin such as mice and rats. However, once the pests have been removed, please contact us and we will block up any entry holes.
Plastering
It is your responsibility to repair plastering on your walls and ceilings, e.g. if plaster is damaged when wallpaper is removed. Please contact us if the plastering damage is caused by a building defect.
Blockages
It is your responsibility to clear any blocked baths, basins, sinks or toilets etc. If your property is connected to a sewage treatment plant or you live in a flat, please contact us to discuss the issue.
Electrical
If your cooker hood breaks and you would like it replacing with an extractor fan then we will complete this work for you. If you want to keep your cooker hood then this will be your responsibility to repair or replace it.
Baths, basins and showers
It is your responsibility to maintain all sealant around baths, showers and basins. However, if you live in a flat, we will need to carry out this work and recharge you.
Doors and locks
The decoration of internal doors is your responsibility e.g. painting. It is your responsibility to fix draughty windows and doors.
Floors and stairs
All flooring inside your property, other than flooring included in kitchen and bathroom renovations, is your responsibility. You are also responsible for maintaining and decorating banister rails e.g. painting and tightening fixings.
Gardens
It is your responsibility to remove any unwanted sheds or greenhouses.
Walls and ceilings
It is your responsibility to decorate walls and ceilings following a leak, unless our contractors did not attend the leak in a timely manner.
Water pipes and taps
It is your responsibility to descale all taps in your property.
