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There are some repairs to your home and outdoor space that you must do or arrange yourself, see the examples below.

NB. These are separate to repairs to any communal areas and shared outside space.

• sheds and greenhouses
• maintaining your own garden and outside space
• washing lines
• outside taps
• satellite dishes and TV aerials
• cat flaps
• doorbells
• white goods and appliances, such as cookers, washing machines, tumble dryers etc.
• mirrors and towel rails
• interior decoration
• soft furnishings, such as cushions, curtains, sofas etc.
• gas and electric meters – contact your energy supplier if you have issues.
• repairing or renewing floor coverings, such as carpets, strips, floor tiles etc.*

*Laminate flooring – this type of covering isn’t usually covered by home contents insurance policies. Brighter Places does not recommend laying laminate flooring and will not be responsible for repairing or replacing it if we have to disturb it to carry out a repair

You can arrange and pay for some repairs that you are responsible for yourself.  Or you can book an appointment with Brighter Places to do them.

You must pay for these repairs before they are done. 

Different types of repairs are grouped by cost (see examples in the list below)  If the final costs exceed the minimum charge by £50 or more you will be invoiced for this additional cost after the repair is done.

**All prices are for 2025/26 and include VAT

Lower banding chargeable repairs: minimum cost £150**  

• lost keys
• blocked sinks, where no other components (e.g. bath, toilet) are affected
• applying sealant around sinks and toilets
• replacing toilet seats
• filling holes or gaps smaller than 0.5 square metres (the size of a typical picture or mirror)
• adjusting internal doors when a new carpet has been fitted or where the resident has removed this themselves (the cost is to adjust one door)
• light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
• resetting electric trip switches
• changing programming on a thermostat or boiler
• turning off a stop tap

Middle banding chargeable repairs: minimum cost £270**

• boarding up and reglazing of windows (cost per window, 500mm x 500mm size) *if you have a crime reference number for the damage we will not charge you for the repair.
• replace internal doors (cost per door)
• worktops (the cost is for one length of 2 metre long worktop)
• pest control

Upper banding chargeable repairs:  these repairs are individually assessed by a contractor or surveyor who will provide an accurate price for the work.

• replacing external doors
• removing decking for health and safety reasons and replacing it with a concrete slab
• general damage that you, your family, visitors or pets have caused to your home
• any safety checks and remedial works we need to do due to:
  • work you have done (e.g. structural damage, DIY that has disturbed asbestos), whether agreed in writing by us or not
  • works you are responsible for but have not done (e.g. garden maintenance)
• fly-tipping and clearing communal areas
• any legal costs if we need to get into your home

Brighter Places will maintain a boundary for basic security and safety reasons.

Our standard fencing is a basic chain link fence (like the one in the photo above) or posts joined with wiring. It lasts longer than wooden fencing and is more cost-effective.

Some tenants have taller, wooden fence panels for extra privacy or for decorative reasons. When repairing or replacing small sections (e.g. one or two panels) we will try, where it is cost effective, to match it with similar fencing.

However, where we need to replace a significant length of fencing we will likely use a chain link fence, not wooden panels. Tenants can choose to arrange their own fencing repairs if they would prefer other types of fencing, such as wooden fence panels.

These are repairs which could cause immediate hazard or danger to you or your home. Examples of an emergency repair would be a total loss of water, a broken heating system, or securing the lock on a main door.

Some emergency repairs you are responsible for by contacting the appropriate supplier or local authority.  Other emergency repairs we are responsible for, and we will come and make your home safe within 24 hours.

Who to call in an emergency – check here for information

We will assess each repair on a case-by-case basis, looking at the severity of the repair as well as any vulnerabilities or individual circumstances that could make the impact of the repair worse.

From the time a non-emergency repair is reported to us we aim to:

• confirm a date for the repair within 24 hours
• complete the repair within 28 days

Report a repair

• These are repairs to make sure your home is kept safe and compliant such as gas servicing and cyclical maintenance. You must allow us to access your home for these purposes.
• Annual gas safety inspection to your home.
• Annual smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector services and tests
• Electrical Condition Test (every 5 years)
• Service and inspection of lifts, dry risers, water pumps and lighting conductors plus all other serviceable items within your home, in line with manufacturers recommendations.

We will let you know in advance when we will visit you.  

Find out more about our planned maintenance programme.

We have a dedicated damp and mould team who will pick up any condensation, damp or mould cases and work with you to rectify the issues in your home.

If you report damp and mould to us we will:

• Take immediate action to make your home safe (this could be an initial mould wash or another action)
• Offer you somewhere to stay if your home cannot be made safe and cover the cost until your home is safe again
• Start repairs within 24 hours if it is an emergency – e.g. a leak
• Investigate the cause of the damp and mould within 10 days of you reporting it to us
• Share the results of the investigation with you once it’s completed within 3 working days
• Complete any further work if it is needed within 12 weeks
• Once the works are completed will contact you at  3, 6 and 12 months to make sure the issue has been resolved.

Take a look at our healthy home tips for advice on how to manage condensation.

Report damp and mould