Repair Responsibilities
The information below details who is responsible for the repairs in your home, whether that be you or Gentoo Group.
| Description | Gentoo | You | Exceptions/Comments |
| Ensuring your home is secure, structurally sound and weather tight. | Yes | ||
| Repairs to shared/communal areas. | Yes | ||
| Improvements carried out by previous tenants that you ahve accepted as fixtures and fittings, or items that have been 'gifted' to you | Yes | ||
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The decoration and cleanliness of your home (including the cleaning of windows and the supply and fitting of floor coverings). |
Yes | ||
| Looking after your garden and keeping it neat and tidy. | Yes |
| Description | Gentoo | You | Exceptions/Comments |
| Carry out an annual gas safety check in your property | Yes | This is a legal requirement and failure to do so will result in Gentoo taking legal action against your tenancy. | |
| Allowing access for periodical testing of a gas supply e.g gas meter | Yes | ||
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The servicing of any gas cooking appliances not owned by Gentoo to make sure they are maintained in a safe working condition. Any person carrying out work in relation to any gas appliances or gas fittings MUST be Gas Safe registered. |
Yes | This must be completed by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. | |
| No heating or hot water. Please note, if you are part of a district heating or biomas heating system, refer to the Gentoo website or your local area office for guidance. | Yes |
Gentoo will ask you to take reasonable steps to ensure the repair is not a service user issue. For example, resetting the boiler/pressure. A boiler manual and a handy hints and tips video is available on the Gentoo website. You must ensure you have sufficient credit if you have a prepayment meter. |
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| Chimney sweeping (solid fuel appliances). | Yes | ||
| The gas bayonet fitting on gas appliances. | Yes | This must be fitted by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. | |
| The removal and replacement of radiators whilst decorating. | Yes | ||
| The clearing of small blockages from basins, sinks, baths and toilets. | Yes | Gentoo will only attend to a blockage if you have taken the necessary steps to try and clear the blockage (using a plunger) and it cannot be dislodged. It is your responsibility to keep waste free from solids and materials other than water. | |
| The replacement of plugs and chains to baths, basins and sinks. | Yes | ||
| The fitting of pipe work for washing machines and dishwashers and vents for tumble driers. | Yes | This must be carried out by a qualified tradesperson. | |
| The replacement of toilet seats. | Yes | ||
| The bleeding of radiators. | Yes | ||
| Shower curtains. | Yes | ||
| Smart meters. | Yes | If you wish to have a Smart Meter installed this is the responsibility of your energy supplier. You will need to get permission from Gentoo before they go ahead. | |
| New installations of pipe work for cookers. | Yes | You must seek permission from Gentoo before any work of this nature is undertaken. The work must also be carried out by a suitably qualified tradesperson. |
| Description | Gentoo | You | Exceptions/Comments |
| Carry out an electrical safety test. | Yes | This is a legal requirement and failure to do so will result in legal action against your tenancy. | |
| The supply and repair of aerials, satellite dishes and telephones. | Yes | Gentoo is responsible for the installation and repair in communal areas. | |
| Replace light bulbs in encased fittings e.g. in bathrooms and certain kitchen fittings or outside fittings where they require mechanical intervention for access e.g. security lights. | Yes | ||
| Replacing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes. Gentoo do not replace light bulbs on standard fittings which are readily accessible such as pendants and battens. | Yes | Gentoo will maintain security lights in communal areas. |
| Description | Gentoo | You | Exception/Comments |
| The plastering of small cracks, small holes and shrinkage (new builds) on the internal walls/ceilings of the property. | Yes | Gentoo will only plaster patch your walls and ceilings. The skimming of walls or ceilings is classed as decoration unless it is relating to a structural defect. | |
| Tile grouting | Yes | Gentoo will consider grouting your tiles if needed due to general wear and tear. However, we will not grout tiles due to issues resulting from mold and mildew. |
| Description | Gentoo | You | Exceptions/Comments |
| The replacement of lost keys, fobs or locks when you are locked outside of your house. |
Yes | If the door lock is faulty, Gentoo will repair it. |
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| The provision of additional keys to the property |
Yes | ||
| Repair or replace doors damaged due to reasonable wear and tear. |
Yes | ||
| General repairs to your kitchen due to reasonable wear and tear. |
Yes | ||
| Adjustment needed to doors if you have fitted new carpets in the house. |
Yes | ||
| Minor adjustments to kitchen cupboards and doors. |
Yes | You will be responsible for minor repairs such as tightening screws, cupboard door handles and hinges. |
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| Altering kitchen units for appliances such as cookers and fridge/freezers. |
Yes | Please remember to measure the available space in your property before installing or purchasing appliances. Any alteration would need prior written approval from your local area office. |
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| Repairs to existing fencing, bolts and catches. |
Yes | Fencing in communal areas is prohibited. Gentoo will not be responsible for extra security measures to fencing. |
| Description | Gentoo | You | Exceptions/Comments |
| Provision of advice on how to manage condensation, including use of a hydrometer. |
Yes | Advice on the prevention and control of condensation can be found on our website. Please note, it is the customers responsibly to take the necessary steps to prevent and manage condensation in the home. |
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| Dealing with any pests (e.g. rats, mice, ants and wasps nests). |
Yes | Sunderland City Council will charge for this service. |
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| Repairing and maintaining any fixture, fitting or appliance you or a previous tenant have installed unless we have an agreement to maintain it for you. |
Yes | ||
| Clothes posts, washing line and rotary dryers. |
Yes | ||
| Door bells/door knockers/door numbers/door stoppers, |
Yes | If your door bell is hardwired on in a sheltered scheme, Gentoo will repair these. |
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| Garden sheds. | Yes |
| Description | Gentoo | You | Exceptions/Comments |
| Provision of gully grids and external drain covers. | Yes | ||
| Keeping gully grids clear of leaves and rubbish. | Yes |