Renfrewshire Council

Right to Repair

What right to repair is, what are qualifying repairs, contact details for Building Services, exclusions from the scheme.

Renfrewshire Council tenants have the right to have some small urgent repairs carried out within a given timescale. This is called the 'Right to Repair' scheme.

The scheme covers certain repairs costing less than £350, known as 'qualifying' repairs.


Qualifying repairs and timescales

Details of qualifying repairs and their response timescales are listed in the table.

The timescales shown are the maximum period in working days from the day after you report a qualifying repair or inspection (excluding weekends and public holidays).

Qualifying RepairDays to complete
Blocked flue to open fire or boiler1
Blocked or leaking foul drains, soil stacks, or toilet pans where there is no other toilet in the house1
Blocked sink, bath or drain1
Loss of electric power1
Partial loss of electric power3
Insecure external window, door or lock1
Unsafe access path or step1
Significant leaks or flooding from water or heating pipes, tanks or cisterns1
Loss or partial loss of gas supply1
Loss or partial loss of space or water heating where no alternative heating is available1
Toilet not flushing where there is no other toilet in the house1
Unsafe power or lighting socket, or electrical fitting1
Loss of water supply1
Partial loss of water supply3
Loose or detached banister or hand rail3
Unsafe timber flooring or stair treads3
Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working7

 


When you report a repair

When you report a repair, we will let you know whether it is the Council's responsibility and whether it is a qualifying repair under the Right to Repair scheme.

If the repair does qualify under the scheme, we will tell you the time allowed to carry out the repair, and explain your rights under the Right to Repair scheme, including the process for using an alternative contractor. We will also make arrangements with you to get into your home to carry out the repair.

In most cases, our in house contractor Building Services will carry out the repair. Their contact details are:

Building Services
Underwood Road Depot
52 Underwood Road
Paisley, PA3 4TL
Telephone: 0300 300 0300

If Building Services fail to attend in the timescale laid down by the scheme, you have the right to contact our backup contractor to have the work carried out. Our alternative contractor is CGC. Their contact details are:

CGC
24 MacDowall Street
Paisley, PA3 2NB
Telephone: 0141 561 6500

If we don't do your repair on time compensation may be payable. Any payment will be made automatically - there is no need to make a claim.

If we cannot get into your home at the time we have agreed with you, your repair will be cancelled. You will then have to reapply and start the process again.


Exclusions to the Right to Repair scheme

This scheme does not apply where:

  • the defect has been caused by a breach of your tenancy conditions (e.g. deliberate damage);
  • the repair is delayed due to matters outwith our control (e.g. a spare part needs to be ordered or the work is covered by a guarantee that requires another contractor to carry out any remedial work);
  • the repair is not the Council's responsibility, or is to the common parts of a building; or
  • the repair will cost more than £350.

You can find out more about the Right to Repair scheme on the Scottish Government website