Housing standards

If you rent a property from a housing association, your landlord is always responsible for repairs to:

• the property's structure and exterior
• basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings including pipes and drains
• heating and hot water
• gas appliances, pipes, flues and ventilation
• electrical wiring
• any damage they cause by attempting repairs.

Your landlord is usually responsible for repairing common areas, for example staircases in blocks of flats. Check your tenancy agreement if you are unsure.

Your responsibilities

You should only carry out repairs if the tenancy agreement says you can.

You cannot be forced to do repairs that are your landlord's responsibility.

If you damage another tenant's flat, for example if water leaks into another flat from an overflowing bath, you are responsible for paying for the repairs. You are also responsible for paying to put right any damage caused by your family and friends.

Rented property in need of repair

Your tenancy agreement with your landlord gives you the right to get repairs done within a reasonable time.

In the first instance you should contact your landlord directly to order the repair. If you are not satisfied with your landlord's response, you can make an official complaint. Your landlord's website will tell you how to do this.

If you have reported a hazard or health and safety concern about your rented property to the landlord but no further action has been taken you can make a housing standards complaint, which we will investigate. 

Report a housing standards complaint

You can report a housing standards complaint quickly and easily online. 

Once your complaint has been submitted, we will be in touch to discuss with you within 5 working days.

Report a housing standards complaint

Once reported to us, we will carry out an assessment on the whole property. The inspection concentrates on the threats to personal health and safety and not the quality of decoration or workmanship.

After the inspection, if needed, we will contact the landlord with the required actions to be taken.

Housing associations

Chorley Community Housing
0300 111 1133
enquiries@chorleych.co.uk 
www.chorleych.co.uk 

Jigsaw Housing Group
0300 111 1133
info@jigsawhomes.org.uk
www.jigsawhomes.org.uk

Places for People
0845 850 9571 or 01772 667002
www.placesforpeople.co.uk

Onward Properties
0300 555 0600
www.onward.co.uk