Right to repair

Qualifying Repairs are those that ACHA is responsible for carrying out and meet the terms laid down in the Right to Repair scheme.

The Scottish Secure Tenants (Right to Repair) Regulations 2002 contains provisions for the Scheme to cover the rights of all tenants on a Scottish Secure Tenancy.

Qualifying Repairs normally reflect the type of repair which might affect health, safety or security of the tenant and their household or property.

The Scheme Covers 15 Statutory Repairs up to the value of £350 as listed below:-

Defect	Maximum period in working days from date immediately following the date of notification of qualifying repair or inspection
Blocked flue to open fire or boiler.	1
Blocked or leaking foul drains, soil stacks or toilet pans where there is no other toilet in the house.	1
Blocked sink, bath or drain.	1
Toilet not flushing where there is no other toilet in the house.	1
Significant leaks or flooding from water or heating pipes, tanks, cisterns.	1
Electric power–
loss of electric power;	1
Partial loss of electric power.	3
Unsafe power or lighting socket, or electrical fitting.	1
Insecure external window, door or lock.	1
Unsafe access path or step.	1
Loss or partial loss of gas supply.	1
Loss or partial loss of space or water heating where no alternative heating is available.	1
Water supply–
loss of water supply;	1
Partial loss of water supply.	3
Loose or detached banister or hand rail.	3
Unsafe timber flooring or stair treads.	3
Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working.	7

The following repairs are excluded from the Right to Repair scheme:-

• Repairs which are not the responsibility of ACHA
• Repairs exceeding £350
• Where a tenant failed to provide reasonable access for the purpose of enabling the qualifying repair to be carried out
• Repairs required within a property’s defects liability period
• Repairs carried out to communal parts of the building
• If the tenant cannot guarantee access, the repair will be processed in line with ACHA’S normal repairs procedures

Instructing Qualifying Repairs

Where a tenant has advised ACHA that a repair is required, repairs staff will assess if it is a qualifying repair. If this is the case the tenant will be advised of this.

The repairs staff will make access arrangements and inform the tenant of the following:-

• The maximum period within which the qualifying repair must be completed
• The last day of the maximum period
• A confirmation letter will be sent to tenants who have reported a qualifying repair, providing completion date and details of an alternative contractor.

Guidelines of the Right to Repair scheme as governed by The Right to Repair Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 will be sent to all tenants on an annual basis.

For further information and to report your repairs, please contact our Customer Service Centre on Freephone number 0800 028 2755. Further information can also be provided by one of our local offices.

Full details of the scheme can be found on The Scottish Government website.