Introduction to Council Housing Repairs and Maintenance
Council housing provides affordable homes managed by local councils across the UK. Keeping these homes safe, comfortable, and in good condition is a shared responsibility between the council and tenants. Repairs and regular maintenance are essential, not only for your wellbeing but also for preserving the long-term value of council housing.
The council is legally required to maintain the structure and exterior of your home. This includes things like the roof, walls, windows, doors, and essential services such as heating, plumbing, and electrics. The council must ensure your home meets health and safety standards, making it safe to live in for you and your family.
As a tenant, you play a crucial role in the repairs process. It’s your responsibility to report any problems or damage as soon as you notice them. This could be anything from a leaking tap to a broken window or faulty heating. Prompt reporting helps the council fix issues before they become bigger, more expensive problems. You must also allow council workers access to your home to carry out inspections or repairs. This is often a condition of your tenancy agreement.
Understanding how repairs and maintenance fit into the broader picture of council tenancy can help you make the most of your rights and responsibilities. For a wider look at what’s involved in managing a council tenancy, see our guide to Council Tenancy Management.
If you want to learn more about maintaining your council home and how the law protects your rights as a tenant, visit our section on Maintaining Your Council Home. This includes practical advice and information on what to expect from your council and what you can do if repairs aren’t carried out properly.
Council’s Responsibilities for Repairs and Maintenance
Councils have a legal duty to keep council homes in good repair and ensure they are safe to live in. This responsibility is set out in law, most notably in Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. This law requires councils, as landlords, to make sure your home is kept in good condition throughout your tenancy.
What Repairs Must the Council Carry Out?
The council is responsible for a wide range of repairs and maintenance tasks. These usually include:
- Structural repairs: This covers the walls, roof, foundations, windows, and doors. The council must fix any damage or defects that could affect the building’s stability or weatherproofing.
- Heating and hot water systems: If your boiler breaks down or your radiators stop working, it is the council’s job to put it right.
- Plumbing: Problems with sinks, toilets, baths, and water pipes should be addressed by the council. This includes leaks, blockages, and faulty fittings.
- Electrical wiring and fittings: The council must repair or replace faulty wiring, sockets, and light fittings to prevent electrical hazards.
- Gas appliances and safety: If the council provides gas appliances, they are responsible for regular safety checks and repairs.
Some repairs, such as internal decoration or minor damage caused by tenants, may be your responsibility. For more details on your own repair duties, see the Maintaining Your Council Home section.
Standards for Safety and Habitability
The council must ensure your home is safe, secure, and fit to live in. This means your home should be free from serious hazards, such as faulty electrics, dangerous gas appliances, or severe damp and mould. The property must also have adequate heating, hot water, and be protected from the weather.
If your home falls below these standards, the council must act to put things right. If they fail to do so, you may have extra rights under schemes like the Right to Repair.
How Repairs Are Prioritised
Councils usually prioritise repairs based on how urgent they are:
- Emergency repairs: These are issues that pose an immediate risk to health or safety, such as gas leaks, major water leaks, or total loss of heating in winter. Councils aim to respond to emergencies within 24 hours.
- Urgent repairs: Problems that affect comfort or security but are not an immediate danger, like a broken window or faulty toilet, are typically dealt with within a few days.
- Routine repairs: Less urgent issues, such as dripping taps or minor plasterwork, may be scheduled within a few weeks.
Timeframes can vary between councils, so it’s a good idea to check your tenancy agreement or your council’s website for specific details.
Understanding what your council must do can help you know when and how to report a problem, and what to expect during the repair process. If you feel your council is not meeting its responsibilities, you have options to take further action.
Tenant’s Responsibilities in Repairs and Maintenance
As a council tenant, you play an important role in keeping your home safe and in good condition. Understanding your responsibilities can help prevent problems and ensure that repairs are dealt with quickly and effectively.
Reporting Problems Promptly
If you notice any issues in your council property – such as leaks, broken windows, faulty heating, or electrical problems – you should report them to the council as soon as possible. Acting quickly can stop small problems from becoming bigger and more expensive to fix. When you contact the council, give clear details about the issue, including where it is and how urgent it might be. Some councils offer online forms, phone lines, or emergency contacts for urgent repairs.
Allowing Access for Repairs
The council or their approved contractors may need to enter your home to inspect or fix problems. You must allow reasonable access at agreed times. The council should give you notice before a visit, except in emergencies. If you refuse access, repairs could be delayed and you might be breaking your tenancy agreement.
Taking Care of Your Home
You are expected to look after your council property and avoid causing damage. This includes everyday care such as keeping the property clean, ventilating rooms to prevent damp, and using appliances safely. If you or your visitors cause damage – like broken doors, smashed windows, or holes in walls – you are usually responsible for putting things right.
Minor Repairs and Tenant Responsibilities
Some minor repairs are the tenant’s responsibility. These often include changing light bulbs, replacing batteries in smoke alarms, unblocking sinks, or maintaining your own appliances and furniture. Check your tenancy agreement for a full list. If you are unsure whether a repair is your responsibility or the council’s, contact your housing officer for guidance.
For a broader look at your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, including how to request repairs, see Tenant Responsibilities and How to Request Repairs. This can help you understand the legal background and what support is available.
How to Report Repairs to the Council
If you notice a problem in your council home, it’s important to report it as soon as possible. Prompt reporting helps prevent further damage and ensures your home stays safe and comfortable.
Ways to Report Repairs
Most councils offer several ways to report a repair:
- By phone: This is often the quickest way, especially for urgent issues like leaks or heating failures. Check your council’s website or your tenancy agreement for the correct number.
- Online: Many councils have online forms or dedicated portals where you can log a repair request at any time. This is convenient and allows you to track progress.
- In person: You can also visit your local housing office to report a problem face-to-face. Staff can help you complete the necessary forms.
For detailed step-by-step guidance, you can also refer to the official advice on requesting a repair to a council property – GOV.UK.
Information to Provide
When you contact the council, be ready to give:
- Your address and contact details.
- A clear description of the problem. For example, “The kitchen tap is leaking” or “There is no heating in the living room.”
- How urgent the repair is. Explain if the issue is affecting your health, safety, or security. For example, a broken front door lock should be treated as urgent.
Providing photos can also help the council understand the problem more quickly.
What Happens Next
Once you’ve reported a repair, the council will usually:
- Acknowledge your request and give you a reference number.
- Assess the urgency of the repair. Emergency repairs (like major leaks or no heating in winter) are typically dealt with within 24 hours. Less urgent issues may take longer.
- Arrange for a contractor or council worker to visit your home. They may contact you to arrange a suitable time.
You should be told how long the repair is expected to take and what to expect during the process. For more about your responsibilities and the council’s role, see the section on Maintaining Your Council Home.
Following Up on Repairs
If the council does not carry out the repair within the promised time, or if the problem is not fixed properly, you have the right to follow up. Contact the council again with your reference number and details of the delay. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can make a formal complaint. In some cases, you may also have rights under the “Right to Repair” scheme, which sets deadlines for certain urgent repairs.
Keeping a record of all your communications with the council can help if you need to escalate the issue.
What to Expect During the Repair Process
When you report a repair issue in your council home, the council follows a set process to ensure your home stays safe and comfortable. Here’s what you can expect at each stage.
Inspection and Assessment
After you report a problem, the council will usually arrange for an inspection. This helps them assess the repair’s urgency and decide the best way to fix it. For urgent issues, such as loss of heating or a water leak, they may send someone out quickly – sometimes within 24 hours. Less urgent repairs, like sticking doors or minor cracks, may be scheduled for a later date.
During the inspection, a council worker or contractor will visit your home to look at the issue. They will assess what needs to be done, what materials are required, and how long the repair should take.
Scheduling Repairs and Access
Once the repair is assessed, the council will arrange a date and time for the work. They should give you reasonable notice and try to agree a time that suits you. You’ll need to allow access for the repair team, so make sure someone is home or make arrangements for them to enter safely. If you cannot be at home at the scheduled time, contact the council as soon as possible to rearrange.
Communication from the Council
The council should keep you informed about the progress of your repair. This includes confirming appointments, letting you know if there are any delays, and explaining what will happen next. If the repair is complex or will take several visits, they should update you after each stage.
If you feel you are not being kept informed, or if there are repeated delays, you have the right to ask for updates and clarity about the timeline.
If Repairs Are Not Done Properly or On Time
You have a right to expect repairs to be carried out to a reasonable standard and within a reasonable time. If you are unhappy with the quality of the work, or if the council fails to complete the repair as agreed, you should contact them to explain the problem and ask for a resolution.
For a broader understanding of your rights and the council’s responsibilities, you may find it helpful to read about maintaining your council home.
What to Do If the Council Fails to Act
If the council does not respond to your repair request, or if they repeatedly fail to fix the issue, you can make a formal complaint. Keep records of all your communications, including dates, times, and what was discussed.
If you are not satisfied with the response to your complaint, you can escalate the matter. The Citizens Advice website offers step-by-step guidance on complaining about your landlord’s failure to make repairs if you are a social housing tenant, including how to approach the Housing Ombudsman if needed.
By understanding the repair process and your rights, you can take practical steps to ensure your council home remains safe and well-maintained.
Special Considerations and Additional Support
Living in supported or specialist housing often means that your repair and maintenance needs are different from those in standard council homes. These settings include accommodation for people with disabilities, older tenants, or those who require extra support to live independently. Understanding how repairs are handled in these homes – and what extra help is available – can make a big difference to your comfort and safety.
Repairs and Maintenance in Supported and Specialist Housing
Supported and specialist housing is designed to meet specific needs. This might involve adaptations like ramps, widened doorways, or specialist bathroom fittings. Repairs in these homes often cover not just the usual issues, such as leaks or heating problems, but also the maintenance of these adaptations and any equipment provided as part of your support package.
Landlords in supported housing have extra responsibilities to make sure the property remains safe and suitable for your needs. For example, if you have an emergency alarm system or a stairlift, your landlord should ensure these are regularly checked and repaired promptly if they break down. For more details on the differences and what you can expect, see our guide on Supported and Specialist Housing.
How Repair Needs May Differ
Repair needs in specialist housing can be more urgent, especially if a fault affects your health or daily living. For example, a broken hoist or accessible shower can have a major impact on your independence. In these cases, repairs should be treated as a priority. You may also need more frequent checks or servicing for equipment compared to standard council housing.
If you receive help from support staff, they may assist you in reporting repairs or following up with the council. It’s important to communicate clearly about any problem, especially if it affects your ability to live safely in your home.
Getting Extra Help and Advice
If you’re unsure about your rights or need help getting repairs done, there are several places you can turn to for support. Your support worker or housing officer can often help you report issues or chase up outstanding repairs. Local advice agencies and charities that support people with disabilities or older people can also offer guidance.
You can find more information about your landlord’s responsibilities, including those specific to supported housing, in the official Housing Benefit guidance for supported housing claims – GOV.UK. This resource explains the extra duties landlords have to meet specialist needs.
If you need further advice on how to request repairs or what steps to take if you’re struggling to get the help you need, our section on Additional Support and Resources for Tenants offers practical tips and information about your rights.
Getting repairs sorted quickly and properly is vital in supported and specialist housing. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it – there’s support available to ensure your home stays safe and suitable for you.
Related Housing Topics
Understanding your rights around repairs is just one part of living in council housing. There are other important rules and options to be aware of as a tenant.
Tenancy rules and your rights
Your tenancy agreement covers more than just repairs. It sets out what you can and cannot do in your council home. For example, it explains your responsibilities for looking after the property and any restrictions on making changes to your home. It’s also important to know the type of tenancy you have, as this affects your rights and how secure your housing is. For more details on the differences between tenancy types, see our guide on Fixed-Term vs Periodic Tenancies.
Having guests stay in your council home
Many tenants wonder how long a guest can stay without breaking council rules. Councils often have specific limits on guest stays to prevent overcrowding or unauthorised subletting. If you’re planning to have someone stay over for an extended period, it’s a good idea to check the guidelines. You can find clear information on this in our section about How Long Can a Guest Stay in a Council House.
Extra support and housing options for vulnerable people
If you or someone you know is facing domestic abuse, you may be entitled to special housing support. Councils and charities offer refuge housing for those who need a safe place to stay. This can provide emergency accommodation and help you find a more permanent solution. Learn more about your options in our guide to Refuge Housing for Domestic Abuse.
If you have questions about your rights as a council tenant, need advice about your tenancy agreement, or want help understanding repair responsibilities, Contend’s AI Legal Assistant is here to help. You can get clear, personalised answers, guidance on your next steps, or even help drafting letters to your council. Reach out to Contend for support tailored to your situation.
