Tenant responsibility for repairs

On this page:

• Report a gas leak
• Report a break-in or burglary
• Tenant repair responsibilities
• Recharges

Report a suspected gas leak

If you smell gas call 020 7974 4444 immediately. 

Report a break-in or burglary

Where damage has been caused following an attempted break in or burglary, you must:

• report it to the Police and get a crime reference number
• contact us on 020 7974 4444 to report the incident and any damage caused, including the crime reference number

Without a crime reference number, you will be responsible for replacing any broken glass or glazing.

Tenant repair responsibilities

As a Camden tenant there are some property repairs which are your responsibility. These are listed on page 85 of your tenants' guide (PDF).

Examples of these repairs with helpful videos are listed below.

Bathroom

• Ceramic tiles on splash backs around sinks, basins, and baths
• Sealant around baths
• Plugs and chains to baths, sinks and wash hand basins
• Changing a shower head
• Replacing a toilet seat
• Cleaning stains on sinks, wash hand basins, baths, showers and toilets
• Unblocking a sink
• Changing a bathroom light bulb

Decoration 

Decoration is generally your responsibility to maintain, repair or replace. This includes when there is a leak from a flat above. We recommend that you have contents insurance cover.

• Watch a video on how to cover a water stain
• Watch a video on how to fill a hole in the wall

Doors

• Replacing lost or damaged keys
• Additional security locks
• Getting back into your home if you have lost or damaged your keys
• Internal doors, locks, hinges, and handles except on fire doors
• Letter boxes, door numbers and security chains

Drains, plumbing and pipes

• Keeping drains and drainage outlets clear
• Unblocking kitchen sinks, wash basins and bath waste pipes
• Boxing in pipe-work
• Damage to such as toilets, sinks or showers, which is a result of misuse or accidents

Do not pour chemicals, fat or oil down drains. If you have used chemicals, please tell the repairs team if you are reporting a major drain blockage.

Electrics

• Changing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes or starters.
• ‘Pay as you go’ payment methods such as electricity keys.
• Electrical plugs, including fuses
• Failure of gas or electricity suppliers to provide the agreed services or maintain their equipment
• Faults or connections on domestic appliances such as fridges, cookers, resident installed equipment such as light fittings

Floors

Floor coverings such as vinyl or carpet.

Gardens

Private gardens must be kept clear of rubbish. 

Gas

‘Pay as you go’ payment methods such as gas keys

Kitchen

• Replacing or repairing damaged kitchen units, including cupboard doors, shelves, handles, drawers, and work tops.
• Unblocking a sink
• Ceramic tiles on splash backs around sinks and worktops

Improvements 

You are responsible for maintaining and repairing any improvements that you have done to your home. This includes adding extra electrical sockets, installing TV aerial sockets, and fitting mixer taps.

Walls

Surface cracks to wall and ceiling plaster.
Watch a video on how to fill a hole in a wall

Windows

• Security locks and replacement keys
• Repairing secondary glazing not installed by Camden

Window restrictors

All windows above a ground floor should have restrictors (jack locks) to protect residents.
If you do not have window restrictors inside your home, we will fit them for you. Do not attempt to fix your own restrictors. If a window above ground floor level in your home or in a shared area does not have restrictor or jack lock, report a repair and request for a window restrictor to be installed. 

​​​​​​Camden Handyperson Service

The Handyperson Service is for Camden residents that:

• are over 65
• have a disability or sensory impairment that restricts your functioning on a day-to-day basis
• have a learning disability
• have a mental health condition
• have a long-term illness
• provide unpaid care for another adult or disabled child

The service offers a range of minor repairs and maintenance jobs free of charge. Find out more about free and charged for services and how to apply for them.

Recharges

When you are responsible for a repair, you can find and pay your own contractor to do the work, or we might be able to do the repair for you for a charge.

These are some of the tenant-responsibility repairs which we can do for you, and the charges.