We want to keep your home in excellent condition and we'll carry out the majority of repairs that will keep it that way.

We are not responsible for all elements of the home and so some repairs should be done by customers.

Below is a grouped list of different kinds of repairs, each showing which elements you, the customer, are responsible for and which Alliance Homes will deal with.

The list is based on the details shown in the customer handbook. You might want to check our looking after your home page for common tips on what you can do.

Our teams need access to your home

Please remember to keep your repairs appointment. If you're not there to give us access to your property we can't carry out the work. You'll then be notified that you need to contact us within seven working days to rebook otherwise the repair request may be cancelled, unless it represents a health and safety risk to you and your home.  

Repair responsibilities

Kitchen

You are responsible for: 

  • cleaning kitchen extractor fan vents 

  • unblocking your sink you can find help with plumbing issues here, Your plumbing

  • renewing silicone sealant around baths, sinks and showers

  • installing, repairing and replacing washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers 

  • repairing and replacing electric or gas cooking appliances you have installed 

  • ensuring appliances are installed correctly and any damage caused during installation is repaired 

  • installing waste pipes on washing machines and dishwashers 

  • installing vents on tumble dryers 

  • replacing sink plugs and chains 

  • repairing worktops.

 

We are responsible for: 

  • repairing leaking sinks and taps 

  • repairing kitchen cabinet doors and drawers 

  • defects in the main drainage system, if the blockage is found to be your fault, you will be recharged.
Bathroom

You are responsible for:  

  • cleaning bathroom extractor fan vents 

  • replacing bath and sink plugs and chains 

  • repairing and replacing loose or broken toilet seats 

  • replacing flush handles 

  • replacing bath panels 

  • replacing showerheads 

  • fitting shower curtains 

  • maintaining mirrors and towel rails 

  • unblocking sinks, baths and toilets - you can find help with plumbing issues here, Your plumbing

  • renewing silicone sealant around baths, sinks and showers

We are responsible for:  

  • repairing leaking baths, showers, sinks, taps and toilets 

  • defects in the main drainage system, if the blockage is found to be your fault, you will be recharged.

Heating and plumbing

You are responsible for: 

  • the gas or electrical meter depending on your heating system  

  • setting your heating control 

  • bleeding radiators 

  • preventing your pipes from freezing or bursting in cold weather 

  • knowing how to turn off your water stop tap 

  • maintaining outside taps.

 

We are responsible for: 

  • installing central heating systems (Gas; Solid Fuel; Oil; Electric) 

  • repairing and servicing your boiler and central heating system (including gas pipes) 

  • maintaining water supply… including taps, valves, stop taps. 

  • maintaining hot and cold storage tanks and pipes 

  • repairing taps 

  • repairing tap washers and ball valves 

  • maintaining shower unit 

  • repairing fireplaces 

  • maintain and replacing carbon monoxide detectors 

  • defects in the main drainage system, if the blockage is found to be your fault, you will be recharged.

  • maintaining overflow pipes.

Electrics

You are responsible for: 

  • the electric meter 

  • changing light bulbs and tubes 

  • reattaching light pull cords 

  • maintain electrical appliances and plugs 

  • testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replacing batteries 

  • resetting trip switches in your fuse box.

 

We are responsible for: 

  • maintain sockets, switches, lighting circuits consumer units and immersion heaters 

  • maintain seal light units (bathroom & toilet) where fitted by Alliance Homes 

  • installing a smoke and heat detector alarms 

  • servicing your electrical wiring 

  • servicing any fire alarm systems, including alarms, heat and smoke detectors 

  • maintaining door entry systems to communal doors 

  • maintain external security lighting 

  • maintaining automatic doors 

  • maintaining Solar panels to roof 

  • maintaining appliances fitted to communal kitchens. 

Doors and windows

You are responsible for: 

  • adapting doors to accommodate carpet 

We are responsible for: 

  • adjusting internal doors 

  • replacing door thresholds 

  • repairing window sills 

  • replacing window catches, fasteners, restrictors, sash cords and locks 

  • repairing window frames 

  • renewing glazing, beading and sealant 

Internal walls, floors, ceilings and stairs

You are responsible for: 

  • keeping the interior of your home clean and tidy using suitable cleaning products 

  • painting and decorating 

  • repairing minor cracks in plaster to walls and ceilings 

  • repairing fixtures you have put in or fixtures you have damaged 

  • replacing cracked or broken wall tiles you have installed 

  • fitting curtains and blinds 

  • cleaning carpets and floors 

  • replacing carpets and floors you have fitted.

 

We are responsible for: 

  • repairing plasterwork and plasterboard, not consider customer damage or minor cracks 

  • repairing structural issues with walls, floors, ceilings and stairs 

  • repairing floorboards 

  • repairing skirting boards 

  • replacing floor coverings that we have installed 

  • repairing banisters and handrails 

  • repairing bathroom and kitchen flooring we have installed.

Internal roof spaces

You are responsible for: 

  • Ensuring roof spaces are kept free for maintenance and repair works 

  • Providing access to service and repair.  

 

We are responsible for: 

  • Insulation of cold-water tanks and pipework in roof spaces 

  • Maintaining equipment associated to Solar panels 

  • Maintaining the loft hatch.

External doors, windows and locks

You are responsible for:  

  • installing and maintaining doorbells 

  • replacing house numbers and door knockers 

  • repairing letterboxes, unless associated to internal flat doors which require fireproofing.  

  • fitting draught excluders 

  • cleaning your windows 

  • replacing smashed, damaged or faulty window panes 

  • Cat and dog flaps. 

We are responsible for:  

  • replacing new keys and changing the locks. When you have lost your key you will be recharged. 

  • replacing faulty front and back doors 

  • repairing external door frames 

  • repairing post boxes in blocks of flats 

  • replacing broken glass (a crime reference number must be provided) 

  • replacing door locks if they break through normal use. 

Gardens, sheds, fences, garages and hard landscaping

You are responsible for: 

  • cutting the grass in your front and back garden 

  • looking after garden paths and patios 

  • looking after trees in your garden 

  • installing and maintaining sheds 

  • replacing broken washing lines 

  • repairing damaged fences (we will only repair fences if they border a public right of way and your tenancy agreement states that we are responsible) 

  • replacing garage door pulls. 

 

We are responsible for: 

  • repairing pathways, steps and means of access 

  • repairing driveways, where installed by Alliance Homes 

  • maintaining garages that are part of the property 

  • maintaining stores that are part of the property 

  • maintaining brick sheds and outhouses that we have provided 

  • replacing gates, hinges and latches that we have installed 

  • repairing handrails to external paths or steps 

  • repairing brick garden walls 

  • repairing bin stores 

  • maintaining adopted estate footpaths and walls 

  • maintaining boundary and dividing fences (excluding private boundaries) 

  • garden maintenance to gardens at sheltered accommodation properties.

External components, foundations, external walls, roofs, drainage and external decorations

You are responsible for: 

  • clearing rainwater gully grids 

  • installing and maintaining TV aerials 

  • maintaining satellite dishes. 

 

We are responsible for: 

  • repairing foundations 

  • repairing external walls 

  • repairing roofs 

  • repairing roof lights, Velux and skylights 

  • repairing chimneys 

  • sweeping your chimney once a year (unless it is part of a central heating system) 

  • maintaining drains and gutters 

  • maintaining fascia’s, soffits and bargeboards to your roof 

  • repairing drain and manhole covers 

  • decorating external wall rendered surfaces and wood, metal work.  

Communal areas

You are responsible for: 

  • keeping communal areas free of personal rubbish and cleaning to areas adjacent to your flat 

  • ensuring your personal belongings don't block exits.

 

We are responsible for: 

  • maintenance to communal areas. 

  • maintaining shared drying areas. 

  • maintaining parking areas 

  • maintaining emergency lighting. 

  • maintaining general lighting to communal spaces and stairs 

  • cleaning of communal areas to sheltered accommodation only or where service charges apply. 

  • maintaining communal tv aerials

  • maintaining and inspecting play areas.

Useful information and related documents