The Council is required to carry out urgent repairs on time and it is our intention to fulfil that obligation. If we fail, tenants are entitled to claim compensation.

The Right to Repair scheme came into force on 1 April 1994 and urgent repairs should be carried out within the time limits shown in the table below.

If the repair is not done within the time shown, you can ask that an order is issued to a second contractor. If the work is again not completed within the time shown, you should be paid compensation at a rate of £10 + £2 for each day after the end of the time limit up to a maximum of £50.

Please note that these orders must be issued by the Council to the contractors.

Obviously you must ensure that the Council's contractor can gain access to your house to carry out the work. If access is not available this is likely to invalidate your claim.

The time limit is suspended if there are events beyond the control of the Council or its contractor, preventing the work being completed.

• Report the defect to the housing department. you can telephone (01727) 819256 or call at the main Council Offices in St Albans. You should say when someone is going to be home for the workmen to get in.
• If an inspection is necessary before an order can be issued this will be carried out almost immediately.
• An order will be issued to a Council contractor for the work to be carried out. You will be sent a copy of the order which will show the contractor's name and telephone number.
• If the work is not carried out within the time shown, get in contact with us again. Once again you can telephone (01727) 819256 or call at the Council Offices.
• We will either explain to you why the work has not been carried out and indicate when it is to be done or arrange for a fresh order to be issued to another contractor.
• You should receive a copy of this fresh order that will again show the name and telephone number of the contractor.
• By the time that this second time period has elapsed the work should either be complete or an appropriate temporary repair carried out until spare parts can be obtained.
• In the unlikely event that you still have not had the repair carried out, you are entitled to claim compensation. Contact the Principal Housing Surveyor by telephoning (01727) 866100 ex 2934 who will investigate your claim and arrange for a cheque to be sent to you after a short period of enquiry if it is considered appropriate.
• An amount equivalent to any rent arrears on a tenant's account will be deducted from any compensation payable and that sum will be credited to the rent account

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