Report a Repair
We maintain our housing to a high standard but we understand certain issues can arises, especially due to wear and tear or unforeseen circumstances. Our responsive repair team carry out works to ensure homes are kept to quality standard of living.
Before calling Smart Choice Housing, please refer to your tenancy handbook to see if the responsibility of the repair is yours of ours.
Do I need an emergency repair?
Where there is an immediate danger to the health and safety of the occupant or a risk of damage to the property then a quick repair will be required. This includes categories such as gas leaks, unsafe gas/electrical fittings, structural damage, flooding or flood damage, fire or fire damage. In these situations we will make every effort to undertake a full repair as soon as possible. Our maintenance team will aim to attend to assess and fix within 4 hours or reporting and will take remedial action to make the property safe. Further visits may be required to complete work and we will keep you informed every step of the way.
If you encounter a situation where you suffer a loss of power, lighting not working, hot water and heating issues, blocked toilet or drains, property not secure etc, then our maintenance team will attend within 24 hours to assess and repair.
Emergency repairs such as these MUST be reported by telephone on 0121 716 4142.
What am I responsible for repairing and maintaining in my home?
Following the below will ensure you maintain your home in good condition which would then require minimal repairs.
- Keep the inside of your home clean and in good condition.
- Keeping gardens and communal areas clean and tidy by maintaining grass, plants and tree branches within the property boundaries.
- Doing minor repairs where necessary.
- Disposing of waste properly to avoid blockages in pipes and drains, such as not disposing of fat, oil, sanitary products, nappies etc. down toilets or in sinks.
- Using fixtures and fittings for their intended purpose (e.g. not using worktops as chopping boards etc).
- Replacing/repairing toilet seats, door bells, shower heads, light bulbs (in your own room/home) if broken or damaged.
- Responsibility for pest control including wasps/bee nests, rats, mice, ants etc.
What about other repairs?
Smart Choice Housing will periodically carry out routine maintenance and repairs where necessary. This is to ensure all our properties are maintained to a high standard for all clients.
We class routine repairs those such as toilets not flushing, dripping taps, shower not working, plastering, damaged doors etc. Major routine repairs such as groundworks, roof repairs, guttering works, external brickwork repair etc or any work that will take longer than 1 day to complete or are part of a planned programme of works will usually be completed over a larger timescale and notice will be given to clients with regards to start/end dates, times of the works, machinery/scaffolding that may be on site and other relevant information.
Most routine repairs do not carry a risk of danger to the occupant or property and can be reported to us via telephone or email.