Skip to main content

Tenant responsibility for maintenance and repairs

beta This is the improved Camden website. Tell us what you think.

Tenant responsibility for maintenance and repairs

On this page:

As a Camden tenant, you're responsible for some repairs inside and outside your home.  

If a repair is needed, you must check the list of tenant responsibilities before you report it to us. If you're responsible, we can fix the issue for a reduced charge, or you may be eligible for the Camden Handyperson Service. Find a tradesperson. 

You're responsible for replacing any stolen or damaged items in your home and we suggest you have contents insurance. 

Maintenance and repairs inside your home

Bathrooms

You're responsible for: 

  • replacing or fixing plugs and chains to baths, sinks and wash hand basins 
  • replacing or fixing shower heads, and toilet seats  
  • cleaning stains on sinks, wash hand basins, baths, showers and toilets 
  • ceramic tiles on splashbacks around basins and baths 
  • sealant around baths 

We're responsible for replacing or repairing bath panels if damaged during a repair.

Watch our repair videos to:

Decoration  

Decoration is your responsibility to maintain, repair or replace. We recommend that you have contents insurance. 

Watch our videos on how to: 

Door and door frames 

You're responsible for: 

  • replacing lost or damaged keys for your front door and forcing entry 
  • additional security locks 
  • internal doors, locks, hinges and handles (except if your kitchen door is a fire door) 
  • letter boxes, door numbers and security chains 
  • replacing broken glass or glazing, unless it’s after a burglary and you can provide a police crime reference number  

We're responsible for: 

  • front door and frame 
  • front and back door locks 
  • your kitchen door if it’s a fire door 
  • door entry systems 
  • boarding up broken glass in external doors 

Floors and flooring

You're responsible for floor coverings, such as carpets. 

We will not repair or install laminate flooring. We're not responsible for damage to laminate flooring if it's removed as part of another repair. 

We're responsible for replacing floorboards. 

Gas and electrics

You're responsible for: 

  • changing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes or starters 
  • your own gas and electricity supply including working with your supplier to resolve any issues 
  • faults or connections on your domestic appliances such as fridges, cookers or anything else you’ve installed 

We're responsible for: 

  • annual gas safety checks, maintenance and repair of appliances we have installed to provide heating and hot water 
  • the gas supply from the gas meter to the appliances it supplies
  • the electricity supply between the meter and the electrical sockets in your home

Kitchens

You're responsible for ceramic tiles on splashbacks around sinks and worktops.

Watch our repair videos to:

Walls and ceilings

You're responsible for: 

  • surface cracks to wall and ceiling plaster 
  • internal decoration 

We're responsible for: 

  • internal walls, skirting boards, and plasterwork 
  • replacing internal wall tiles and panels 
  • plasterwork unless it has been damaged through misuse 

Watch our repair videos to:

Water supply, plumbing and leaks 

You're responsible for: 

  • unblocking kitchen sinks, wash hand basins and bath waste pipes 
  • boxing in any bare pipes 
  • repairing damage to plumbed items such as toilets sinks or showers if it's a result of misuse or accidents 
  • taking reasonable steps to reduce condensation in your home, watch how to prevent condensation, damp and mould 

Do not use chemicals to try to unblock sinks. If you've already done this, let the repair team know when you request a repair. 

We're responsible for: 

  • the water supply from the meter or stopcock outside your home to fittings that use water inside your home 
  • hot and cold-water pipework 
  • repairing any boxing for pipework that we've previously installed
  • maintenance of heat metering equipment 
  • unblocking main drains and soil pipes connected to your home 
  • maintenance of cold-water tanks and hot-water cylinders 

Windows

You're responsible for: 

  • replacing broken glass or glazing, unless it’s after a burglary and you can provide a police crime reference number 
  • window catches and stays, security locks or replacement keys (except window restrictors) 

All windows above the ground floor should have restrictors, also known as 'jack locks'. If you do not have window restrictors inside your home, we will fit them for you. Do not try to fix your own restrictors. Find out more about window safety.

We're responsible for: 

  • window frames 
  • boarding up broken glass in external windows 
  • fitting window restrictors or ‘jack locks’ for homes above the ground floor 

External maintenance and repairs

You're responsible for: 

  • clearing rubbish from gardens or balconies  
  • maintaining private gardens  
  • keeping drains clear and removing minor blockages  

Remember not to pour fat and oil down drains. If you have, do not use chemicals to clear them. If chemicals have been used, let the repairs team know. 

We're responsible for: 

  • repairing the roof 
  • repairing brickwork 
  • damp-proof work 
  • clearance of guttering where damage is being caused 
  • repairs and maintenance for communal TV aerials and dishes 
  • repairs and maintenance of gullies and drains 

Repairs to communal areas

You're responsible for keeping corridors and shared areas clear for emergency services and repair staff.

We're responsible for repairs to: 

  • estate roads and paths 
  • estate lighting 
  • communal hallways and staircases 
  • boundary walls and fences 
  • rubbish chutes and bin chambers 
  • communal lifts 
  • unblocking communal waste pipes