Your responsibility to look after your home
We expect you to look after your home and to tell us if you need a repair which we are responsible for carrying out. You can report a repair in a number of ways – just follow the links from this page to find out how.
If we need to carry out a repair because of wilful neglect or damage caused by you, a member of your household or one of your visitors, then we’ll charge you for the work.
You must make sure that other fixtures and fittings, or your own appliances that use gas, water or electricity supplies, are regularly serviced and kept in good condition. You must also decorate the inside of your home and keep it clean.
In some instances we may pay a decoration allowance when a tenant enters their new home or a disturbance allowance following major repairs or programmed works within their home. The amount of the payment will be calculated on a room to room basis.
The decoration allowance comes as a voucher issued by the local neighbourhood office at tenancy sign-up. It can be exchanged, within 6 months of issue, for approved materials at one of our participating suppliers – details of approved materials and suppliers will come as part of the tenant sign-up pack. If you qualify for a voucher, you can exchange it for decorating materials at any of the stores listed (and you can top up with your own money if you wish). Additional support in carrying out the decoration work is available for elderly or vulnerable customers.
Approved materials include:
- Paint, varnish, stain (including textured paint)
- Paint brushes
- Wallpaper
- Borders
- Dado rails
- Coving
- Stencils
- Adhesives
- Paste tables
- Wall tiles, accessories and adhesive
- Fillers and sealants
- Wood care products
- Abrasives
Items not covered:
- Ceramic tiles
- Electric fittings and equipment
- Bathroom cabinets
- Floor tiles
- Dust sheets
- Mirrors
- Ladders
Approved suppliers include:
- O’Neills Decorating Centres, Egerton Street, Farnworth
- B&M Bargains, Unit A, Orlando Street, Bolton
- Wallpaper Supplies Ltd, 36-42 Lee Lane, Horwich
- Salford Discount Wallpapers, 136 Langworthy Road, Salford
- Taylor & Sons, 73 Market Street, Westhoughton
- W Bateson & Son (Decorators) Ltd, 5 Market Street, Westhoughton
- B&Q Warehouse, Bolton
Any potential disturbance allowance will be agreed by your housing officer before the start of any major repairs or programmed work.