Right to Repair

Right to Repair

All tenants have the right to apply for compensation if a qualifying repair is reported to Wirral Methodist but not carried out within specified time scales.

The right applies to certain small emergency and urgent repairs (up to the value of £250) which might affect the health, safety or security of the tenant. These are called qualifying repairs.

Wirral Methodist is required to classify all repairs as Emergency, Urgent or Routine and inform tenants of response times. Emergency and urgent repairs falling within the Right to Repair are set out, together with Wirral Methodist’s agreed response times.

When a qualifying repair is reported to Wirral Methodist by a tenant, a repair order will be issued. This will describe the repair together with the name of the contractor who will be doing the work and the date by which it should be completed. A copy of the repair order will be sent to the tenant for information. It is important that the tenant keeps this copy safe because, in the event of the tenant wishing to claim compensation, they will be required to produce the copy order.

Should the repair not be carried out within the specified time scale, it is up to the tenant to notify Wirral Methodist of such non-performance within three working days. The Maintenance Officer will issue a further repair order to the contractor, who will be instructed to complete the repair within the same time scale as the original order. A copy of the second repair order will be issued to the tenant.

If Wirral Methodist fails to meet the second deadline, the tenant is entitled to claim compensation of a £10 lump sum, plus £2 per calendar day (up to a maximum of £50) for every day the repair is outstanding after the end of the second period.

The tenant also has the responsibility to grant the contractor reasonable access for the repairs to be carried out. Should reasonable access not be granted, delaying the repair until after the specified time scale, then compensation is not payable under this policy.

Any claim under this policy must be made in writing within one month of the original date of completion.

Rent arrears or other monies due to Wirral Methodist will be offset against any compensation due under this policy.

Please note:  This policy does not give the tenants the right to carry out the repair and be compensated for the cost of doing so, nor does it give them the right to order repairs directly.

Wirral Methodist is unable to consider any claim or accept responsibility where a defect or fault is beyond the control of Wirral Methodist, or a defect or fault caused as a direct result of abuse or misuse by an occupier or a member of their family or friends.