After the defect period ends, your shared ownership property enters the ‘initial repair period’ which lasts for ten years.
This allows you to reclaim up to £500 each year from Housing 21 towards the cost of eligible repairs to your home, and replacing faulty items and maintaining fixtures.
- essential repairs to the outside of the building
- essential structural repairs to walls, floors, ceiling and stairs inside your home
Any items that:
- supply water, gas or electricity - for example sinks, baths or pipes
- heat your home, for example a boiler or radiator
- installing other fixtures (such as kitchen cabinets) and fittings (such as a bed or sofa)
- installing appliances that use your gas, electricity or water supplies, such as ovens or washing machines
- repairs covered by the building warranty or any other guarantee
Housing 21 (your landlord) will not need to pay for repairs we are normally responsible for if you were to break the terms of your lease.
For example, if you:
- cause damage on purpose
- do not arrange routine servicing and maintenance, such as regular boiler servicing
How to claim
You must arrange the repairs yourself, using a accredited tradesperson or professional, obtaining a receipt detailing the work and cost. If you are unsure if the works meets the requirements to be able to claim a reimbursement, please contact your local manager before arranging the works.
Once the work is completed, you can then raise a claim for reimbursement by completing the form at the bottom of this page. You will need to include details of the repair, the cost, and attach all associated evidence (invoice, evidence of issue, etc). Your local manager can support you to complete this form if needed.
If your claim meets the requirements detailed above, your reimbursement will be processed and credited to your bank account within xxx days
If Housing 21 rejects your claim, we must write to you within seven days explaining why it has been rejected and how you can challenge it.
If you do not claim the full repairs allowance in one year, a maximum of one year’s allowance will roll over to the following year.
Claiming timeframes
You must submit your claim within six weeks of the repair being completed.
If you do not claim the full repairs allowance in one year, a maximum of one year’s allowance will roll over to the following year.
Example of how the repairs allowance works
(if you claim in year two or year three)
|
|
Repairs allowance |
Allowance claimed for repairs |
Amount rolled over to next year |
|
Year one |
£500 |
£0 |
£500 |
|
Year two |
£1,000 (£500 + £500) |
£750 |
£250 |
|
Year three |
£750 (£500 + £250) |
£0 |
£500 |
Full details can be found at www.gov.uk/shared-ownership-scheme/repairs-home-improvements