A Guide to Repairs

Within the first 12 months, defects which could occur in your home that would need reporting right away are faults with the components required for the use of services (e.g. water, heating, drainage, weather tightness of the property; windows, roof, security, faults with doors).

For example:

• No heating or hot water (any defect involving your boiler)
• Leaks in the home (bathroom, radiators, walls/ceilings, kitchen etc)
• Electricity not working
• Mould/damp issues
• Doors/windows not closing/ locking (security issues)

 

Please see below examples of defects which could occur in your home which should be reported to us right away. However these may be rectified as a routine repair and may take up to 20 days:

• Issues with doors/windows which do not pose a security issue
• Issues with flooring
• Issues with sockets/solar panels/light switches
• Issues with loft hatch/meter box/garden gate
• Issues with kitchen/bathroom

Upon expiry of the 12-month defect period. CGA and the contractor will carry out an inspection.

Please see below examples of defects which could occur in your home which could wait until the 12-month inspection to be rectified:

• Cracks in walls
• Rectifying of decoration
• Externals (e.g. turf)

Please see form at the back of this guide in which you can keep a log of all defects which are to be reported on your 12-month inspection.

PLEASE NOTE: After the 12 month inspection all newly identified repairs are the responsibility of the shared owner unless the lease allows an Initial repair period.

Initial Repair Period

If your lease allows, there may be a 10 year ‘initial repair period’ starting from your lease start date, which applies while you own less than a 100% share in your home. During the Initial Repair Period, you may apply for a contribution of up to £500 towards your costs for any Qualifying General Repairs and Maintenance Works required. The work must be carried out by a Trustmark approved tradesman or professional approved by us. We can approve or reject claims in a fair and consistent manner. Forms are available at www.marqueehomes.co.uk.

General Repairs and Maintenance Works include repairs to:

• The supply of water, gas, electricity
• Pipes and drainage
• Sanitation (basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences)
• Space heating and water heating

This does NOT include fixtures/fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas, electricity (e.g. ovens, washing machines etc).

If you do not claim the full repairs allowance in one year, a maximum of one year’s allowance will roll over to the following year and examples of this can be seen below.

Repairs costs over the allowance amount, or after the initial repair period has ended, are your responsibility.

 

 

To apply for repairs contribution please contact us by calling 0800 953 0213 or emailing development@communitygateway.co.uk.

In the initial repair period, the landlord is responsible for the cost of essential repairs to:

• the external fabric of the building
• structural repairs to walls, floors, ceiling, and stairs inside the home

Please notify us immediately if a repair is required. Contact us by calling 0800 953 0213 or emailing development@communitygateway.co.uk.

Maintaining your home and DIY

During the 12-month period we strongly recommend you do not decorate or make any amendments to the property until the 12-month inspection as any changes may invalidate the warranty.

PLEASE NOTE: It is impossible to predict the nature of type of defects which may occur, however, we will work with you to identify and rectify defect repairs.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain and care for the property, especially electrical and mechanical appliances. Please refer to user manuals for maintenance as faults occurring due to poor maintenance or misuse will void any manufacturer’s guarantee. Faulty white goods should be reported directly to the manufacturer. (See specific manuals.) Guarantees should be registered by the occupier at handover.

You may notice minor cracking to internal plastered walls and ceilings. As the ‘initial occupation’ process occurs, and the home is lived in and heated, the building materials will shrink, which may cause small cracks to appear. This is very normal, and you should not be concerned. They can be filled and covered in the normal process of redecoration once the property has completed the ‘running-in’ process.