Your customer repair responsibilities | Accent

This page gives a detailed breakdown of all the repairs that you’re responsible for as a customer, and the repairs we’re responsible for as your landlord.

However, if you’re not sure, you can drop us a line via the form on our Contact us  page. 

A close-up of a man's hand drilling into a table

What am I responsible for repairing as a homeowner?

In most cases, homeowners are responsible for the repair and maintenance of their homes – but to get specific information, you’ll need to check your agreement with us, also known as your lease or property title. 

Before you contact us about a repair, please double-check that we’re responsible for it. If we carry out a repair you requested that should have been your responsibility, we’ll charge you for the cost of work completed. 

If you’re unsure if you should contact us to request a repair, please get in touch with our leasehold and homeownership team by dropping us a line via the form on our Contact us page.

What am I responsible for repairing as a tenant?

We want you to feel proud of where you live by keeping your home well maintained. This includes repairing any damage, keeping gardens tidy, and handling tasks like bleeding radiators, unblocking sinks, and doing any necessary painting or decorating.

 

It’s also important to let us know about any issues or problems with your home that are our responsibility so we can address them. Here’s a full list of the repairs you’re responsible for as a tenant.

  • plumbing and the replacement of fixtures and fittings you have fitted
  • replacing bath panels
  • blocked baths, basins, sinks and showers
  • toilet seats
  • new plugs and chains
  • shower curtains, shower hoses and heads and riser rail replacements
  • bleeding radiators
  • adjusting boiler pressure
  • replacing fluorescent tubes and starter motors
  • resetting trip switches in fuse boxes
  • replacing light bulbs
  • minor cracks in walls and ceilings (generally, 5mm or less is regarded as cosmetic)
  • replacing curtain poles, rails and tracks
  • adjusting doors to allow for new carpets and flooring, including re-fixing draught excludes
  • replacing, maintaining and installing doorbells
  • replacing and repairing internal doors and door furniture
  • repairing or replacing flooring (except flooring we have provided in kitchens and bathrooms)
  • replacing lost or broken keys (we will replace communal keys and fobs, but we will recharge you for these)
  • letterbox repairs and replacements (unless it is a fire door)
  • painting and decorating, including after any damage caused by a leak
  • pest control
  • TV aerials and satellite dishes
  • appliances, including those we have provided
  • replacing dustbins
  • keeping gardens tidy, including looking after hedging and trees
  • replacing and repairing fencing, gates and walls (unless they border a public footpath or road)
  • sheds and other outdoor buildings/storage

What is Accent responsible for repairing as a landlord?

Accent needs to meet our responsibility as your landlord to maintain certain parts of your home. That means we’ll look after anything that affects the building structure, fixtures and fittings, and anything in communal areas. 

 

Here’s a full list of the repairs we’re responsible for as your landlord. This applies to tenants only. 

  • basins and sinks
  • sealant around kitchen units and bathroom fittings
  • replacing tap washers
  • unblocking external waste pipes
  • upkeep of the water supply and water pipes
  • repairing chimneys
  • repairs and servicing to central heating systems including boilers and pipes
  • gas pipes and gas fires we have provided
  • servicing of gas fires and fireplaces – please note gas fires will not be replaced if we believe they are beyond repair
  • electrical wiring including sockets and switches
  • RCD fuses (often referred to as a fuse board or fuse box) which are a safety measure, acting as a trip switch
  • any repairs or replacement items in communal (shared) areas
  • flooring in communal areas
  • painting and decorating in communal areas
  • pest control (in communal areas)
  • communal TV aerials and satellite dishes
  • communal washing lines and rotary dryers that were provided or fitted by us
  • major cracks in walls or ceilings (more than 5mm wide at any point)
  • door entry systems, including handsets and phones that we have provided
  • any fixtures and fittings we have provided which have not been given to you
  • smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  • walls, fences and gates that lead onto public footpaths or other public areas
  • doors and doorsteps
  • drains, gutters, and outside pipes
  • garages and brick-built stores (not sheds)
  • painting
  • paths and walkways (where these are shared or the main access to your home)
  • windows