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Your right to repair

Under this scheme, your local authority agrees to get specified repairs done within set time limits. Repair times vary depending on the type of repair. Usually, the more urgent the repair is, the shorter the time allowed to do the repair. For example, if your toilet isn't flushing, the council usually has one working day to come and repair it.

If the authority doesn't carry out your repair in the agreed timescale, you can insist that it employs an alternative contractor. If the second contractor doesn't complete the repair in time, the council will pay you compensation, although it may deduct any money you owe from the payment.

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about repairs to council properties.

• Find out about repairs to council properties Opens new window

What repairs can you get done?

The scheme covers repairs of certain small, urgent defects which are likely to affect your health, safety or security, providing the repair costs £250 or less. These are called 'qualifying repairs'.

Qualifying repairs include repairs to:

Your council will have a full list of repairs which come under the scheme. It will be able to tell you if a repair you need is included in the scheme and how long it has to get the repair done. The council will also be able to tell you how it deals with repairs that aren't covered under this scheme.

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about requesting a repair to a council property.

• Request a repair to a council property Opens new window

How can you get your repairs done?

You should tell the council what repair needs to be done. The council may need to send someone to your home to check the problem first. If the repair comes under the Right to Repair scheme, the council will tell a contractor to do it within the set time. The council will also send you a copy of the repair notice it sends to the contractor. The notice will show you:

You must let the council know when someone can be at home to let the contractor in. You should also check their identity before you allow them into your home.

• A better deal for council tenants - your Right to Repair Opens new window

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about emergency out of hours repairs to council homes.

• Find out about emergency out of hours repairs to council homes Opens new window