Tenant repairs - permission and responsibilities

Last updated: 19 June 2025

Next review: 6 May 2026

You must ask permission before doing any work repairing or altering something in a home we are responsible for. Also, all work must comply with building standards and regulations. If planning permission or building control approval is required, you must pay for this.

What you need permission for

  • Anything that will change the appearance of your property, eg installing a satellite dish
  • Repairing or altering something we're responsible for eg replacing windows or painting outside
  • Any major alterations, like removing a wall

All work you do must comply with building standards. If it goes wrong, you’ll be responsible for repairing it. 

What you can’t get permission for

  • Anything that risks disturbing asbestos
  • Laying laminates if you live in a flat, if in doubt contact your housing officer
  • Anything that requires planning permission
  • Something that causes structural damage to the property

If you do repairs without permission

  • You could be asked to return your home to the condition it was before - at your own expense.
  • And you’ll be held responsible for any damage to other properties

How do you get permission?

To get permission, simply contact the Building Services team

Email buildingservices@walthamforest.gov.uk

Tenant responsibilities

As a tenant, some repairs are your responsibility, but others are ours.

General responsibilities

Type of repairWho's responsible for repair?
Maintaining items you provided yourself eg furniture/ washing machineYou
Wear and tear, damage caused by you or guestsYou
Minimising damp and mouldYou
Communal areasWaltham Forest
Light fittings and light bulbsYou

Bathroom/kitchen/plumbing

Type of repairWho's responsible for repair?
Basin/sink replacementWaltham Forest
Bath sinks and toilets – panels, blockages, plug/chain replacement, shower curtainsYou
Blocked bath/basin/sink/planned replacements shower/toiletYou
Plug and chain replacementYou
Plumbing in or fitting domestic appliancesYou, however it must be fitted by the Council
Sealant (kitchen work surfaces, baths, sinks)You
Shower curtainYou
Tap washerWaltham Forest
Unblocking external waste pipes (in houses only)You
Water supply and water pipesWaltham Forest

Electrical

Type of repairWho's responsible for repair?
Electrical wiringWaltham Forest
Fluorescent tubesYou
Fuses, plugs and light bulbsYou
Resetting trip switchYou
Type of repairWho's responsible for repair?
Chimneys (excluding sweep), fireplaces, fitted fires and central heatingWaltham Forest
Gas cookers* (not provided by us)You
Gas pipes and appliances provided by us - for example water heaters, boilers gas firesWaltham Forest

* If a gas leak to a cooker is found, the cooker will be capped off. You’ll be responsible for replacement and reinstatement. Works must be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

Inside areas 

Type of repairWho's responsible for repair?
Communal areasWaltham Forest
Cracks (minor, thinner than a pound coin) in walls or ceiling patching.You
Curtain pole, rail or track replacementYou
Doors: including adaptations (to accommodate carpets), frames, hinges, skirting, fitting additional locks/catches, doorbellsYou
Draught proofingYou

Fixtures and fittings provided

by Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest
Fixtures you have fittedYou
Floor coverings (excluding kitchen and bathroom, unless fitted by you)You
Handles and latches on inside doors/cupboardsYou
Front door keys / communal keys / fobs

You – if lost, requiring a replacement or additional fob/key, it will be chargeable.

Waltham Forest – if defective

Painting  and decoratingYou
Smoke alarmWaltham Forest
TV aerial, points or satellite dishes you’ve fittedYou

Outside areas

Type of repairWho's responsible for repair?
Boundary wallsWaltham Forest
Front doors (excluding letter boxes)Waltham Forest
DoorstepsWaltham Forest
Drains, gutters and outside pipesWaltham Forest
Fencing works will be carried out if the fencing provides an estate boundary, is adjacent to a public highway, footpath, open park/ grounds, cemetery or allotmentYou
Garages and stores (excluding sheds)Waltham Forest
Overall structure of your homeWaltham Forest
Paths and walkways (main access)Waltham Forest
RoofWaltham Forest
WallsWaltham Forest
Washing lines or rotary dryersYou
Windowsills, catches, sash cords and window framesWaltham Forest

If you're unable to do repairs yourself

You might not be able to do repairs yourself because of your health or age. If you can’t get a friend/ family/ contractor to help you, then you can ask us.

This is called a discretionary repair.

To get assessed, you’ll need to contact your housing officer or tenancy officer first. They’ll ask you some questions and assess whether a contractor can do out the work on your behalf.

To report a repair, call: 020 8496 3000