DIY

You can make DIY improvements, but you MUST get our written agreement first.

Please fill out this form and we will be in touch.

 

Home Contents Insurance 

Southway tenants can get Home Contents Insurance through Northwards Housing's Home Contents Insurance Scheme. There is no excess to pay and you can insure valuables, furniture and furnishings from as little as 66p per week.

You can find out more on Northwards' website.

 

Your Responsibilities

  • Repairs you are responsible for

    The repairs that we provide for free focus on the structure of your home, gas, electricity, plumbing and heating installations. Smaller jobs are your responsibility.

    If you are elderly or disabled, we will consider your case individually.

    Examples of repairs you must do yourself.

                       

    • Broken or missing plugs and chains for a basin or sink [SW]
    • Faulty fittings, such as cookers, fridges or showers, which were not installed by Southway
    • Fixtures and fittings, such as coat hooks, curtains, curtain rails and washing lines
    • Hairline cracks in plaster
    • Internal decoration (paintwork and wallpaper) and floor coverings
    • Loss of keys
    • Garden fencing (Southway will renew a maximum of two fence panels)
    • Relighting pilot lights [SW]
    • Telephone points
    • TV aerials and sockets

    Please note that, if the repair is marked [SW] and the only people living in your home are elderly or disabled, then we will do the repair.

     

     

     

  • Repairs you must pay for (Rechargeable Repairs)

    If you cause property damage on purpose or by neglect, you will have to pay for necessary repairs. These are commonly known as Rechargeable Repairs, and more information can be found in our Responsive Repairs Policy.

    You don't have to pay for fair wear and tear, or if the damage was caused by a crime that you have reported to the police.

    How would you pay? We will tell you how much it will cost before we do any work and can make an agreement to pay in instalments. The only occasion when we will ask you to pay for a repair upfront is if it is a non-health and safety repair that is caused by negligence. If you don't pay we may take legal action.

    Can you refuse to have the repair done? Only if there is no health and safety risk, and no further damage will be caused. You can also do the work yourself but we must give permission.