Responsibility for repairs
The council is responsible for:
If you are a tenant of Dartford Borough Council then the Council is responsible for:
- The structure of your home: chimney, roof, walls, floors and stairs, windows and window frames.
- The plumbing system which includes: water tanks, pipe work, stopcocks, bathroom and kitchen units, blocked sinks and toilets (repair staff may offer you advice on how to unblock toilets and sinks in the first instance and there may be a possible recharge if it is discovered that the blockage has been caused by tenant's actions).
- Heating and hot water systems.
- Surrounds and skirting boards.
- Gas pipes, electrical wiring, plug sockets, light fittings and switches.
- External doors, windows, guttering and down pipes.
- Fences, walls and paths giving access to front or back doors as detailed in the Council's policy.
- Estate roads - tenants should ring in and we will confirm who is responsible for the road and take the appropriate action.
- Drains - tenants should contact us first to clarify who is responsible for the repairs.
- Gas Servicing.
Exclusion: Please note that wooden sheds will no longer be repaired but either gifted to the tenant or removed.
Other repair obligations of the Council if you live in a block of flats or in a supported housing scheme:
- Door entry systems
- Hallways and communal areas (including laundries where provided by the Council)
- Lifts and staircases, stairwells.
- Bin areas
- Clothes lines, provided at letting
- Paths, fences and grassed areas around the scheme
- Communal T.V. aerials.
- Communal lighting
Deliberate damage
You will have to pay for repairs to damage done deliberately or through your neglect and for any heavy cleaning that has to be done if it is your fault.
Tenants are responsible for:
Council tenants are responsible for the internal decoration of their home, for any minor fixtures and fittings such as curtain rails, light bulbs and plugs and for small repairs like attempting to unblock sinks, smoke alarms and for the replacement of keys, new door locks and additional locks. They are also responsible for repairs due to misuse, neglect or damage by you, your family or visitors.
Other tenant responsibilities include:
- Splashbacks
- WC seats
- Fluorescent tube fitment
- Fitment of roller blind
- Fitment of spyholes and additional security
- Cylinder jackets
- Shaving internal doors for fitment of carpets
- Fitment of curtain tracks and backboards
- Sink/bath plugs
- Plumbing for washing machines
Handy man scheme & decoration scheme
If you are over 60 or disabled then the Council may be able to help you with small jobs and may be able to decorate a room for you. Details of the scheme can be found on the Handyman Scheme and Decoration scheme webpage.
