Repair responsibilities

Overview

Although we will carry out most repairs for general wear and tear, there are some things you will need to organise and pay for yourself.

You are responsible for: 

• any damage caused by yourself, a member of your household or visitor 
• replacing keys or locks when keys are lost or when you get locked out 
• fitting and repairing additional door locks or latches 
• replacing or repairing catches, locks and latches on internal doors and cupboards 
• repair and maintain any fixture, fitting or appliance you have put in, unless we have agreed to maintain it for you 
• adjusting doors when you have fitted new carpets 
• replacing curtain rails and battens 
• replacing coat rails and hooks 
• replacing light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and starters 
• resetting trip switches and, if necessary, turning off the mains supply 
• testing your smoke detector regularly 
• unblocking basins, sinks, baths and toilets 
• unblocking washing machines or dishwashers 
• replacing plugs and chains on baths, basins and sinks 
• installing washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers  
• keeping drain covers clear of leaves or rubbish 
• keeping air vents clear 

Exceptions:

• If you are over 60 years old or disabled and have no able-bodied adult to help you, we may be able to put you in touch with organisations that can help
• If damage is caused by a break-in or vandalism, we will carry out work to make your home safe. We will then investigate the causes before we carry out further work
• If for reasons of safety or security, we have to carry out repairs that are your responsibility, we will charge you the full cost of getting the work carried out

Preventing Damage

To make sure your home is safe for you and your family, and keep your home in good working order you must:

• keep your property and garden in good condition
• decorate inside including filling minor cracks or holes.
• let us know as soon as you notice a repair is needed and take action to prevent it getting worse
• allow us access to your property to carry out repairs, annual safety checks and any necessary inspections
• take action to prevent and control condensation
• take action to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting
• contact Gas Emergency Service immediately if there is a gas leak - call free on 0800 111999
• turn off your water supply at the stop tap if a water pipe has burst and then turning on all taps to allow remaining water to flow out

Garden repairs

You're responsible for:

• Keeping your garden in good condition  
• Any improvements or alterations
• Replacing keys and locks to garage or shed doors 

Fences and boundaries

From general maintenance and wind damage, to boundary issues and responsibilities, this article should tell you what you need to know and clarify what’s your responsibility.

Boundaries

Until a property is sold all boundaries belong to Derby City Council. If a boundary is between two properties managed by Derby Homes, the tenants have a shared responsibility for maintaining the boundary.

Where a boundary lies between a Derby Homes managed property and a private property, we will liaise with the council’s Estates Department who will ascertain who is responsible for which boundary.

Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs?

In most cases, you are responsible for Repairing and replacing rear or side fencing (other than making safe if in a dangerous condition). The diagram below shows which fences are your responsibility.

Derby Homes - Fence responsibilities diagram

What will Derby Homes do?

To the front of your home, we will maintain:

• Fencing that runs along a public highway
• Driveway gates that have a dropped kerb to allow cars to pass over the public highway
• Hand Gates that run along a public highway

To the rear of your home, we will maintain:

• Fencing that provides privacy between two adjoined houses - usually extending two meters from the property.
• Hand Gates attached to fencing separating front and rear gardens.

If there is a boundary dispute, we will separate two properties using a ranch style fencing.

What do you have to do?

To the front of your home, you are responsible for maintaining:

• Fencing that separates your garden from your neighbour’s
• Driveway gates that don’t have a dropped kerb
• Any fencing you have installed yourself

To the rear of your home, you are responsible for maintaining:

• Fencing that separates gardens between you and your neighbour's - After privacy panel
• Any fencing you have installed yourself

You can prolong the life of your fencing by treating and staining

Exceptions to the rules

• Any fence that is deemed dangerous will be made safe, but will not be replaced (unless it falls under our responsibility above)
• Any fence that forms a boundary with a public open space (i.e. parkland) will be replaced
• Any fence that forms a Boundary with a jitty/alleyway will be replaced

Definitions

• Maintain – Fix broken panels, reset posts, rehang gates, treat/stain wood
• Make Safe – Removing any affected and dangerous panels or posts
• Replace – Fit new panels, individual boards or posts
• Hand gate – Small gate
• Dropped kerb - a small ramp built into the kerb of a pavement.
• Public highway - any public street, road

There will be some situations where the fencing layout or location is not clearly defined enough to fit within the above guidelines. In these cases, our staff will work with you to make that judgement.

How long do fencing repairs take?

Where dangerous fencing has to be made safe, it will be carried out within 24 to 48 hours of being reported.

All other fencing is classed as specialist, non-urgent work and will be completed within 60 working days (approximately three months). Even though the majority of this work is external and may not require an appointment, it’s best to let us know in advance if there are any issues with access as this may delay any work.

Note: Where we experience high levels of reported works, for example due to storms and severe weather, timescales in some circumstances may exceed the stated response times above.