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Right to repair and right to compensation

Right to repair

From 30 September 2002, under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Scottish secure tenants and short Scottish secure tenants have the right to have small urgent repairs carried out by their landlord within a given timescale. This is called the Right to Repair scheme.

The Right to Repair scheme applies to all tenants of local authorities, housing associations (including tenants who are members of fully mutual co-operative housing associations), and water and sewerage authorities.

The scheme covers certain repairs up to the value of £350. These repairs are known as ‘qualifying’ repairs. Please contact us to discuss whether a repair falls under the terms of this scheme.

If the repair does qualify under the scheme, we will:

  • Tell you the maximum time allowed to carry out the repair.
  • Tell you the last day of that period.
  • Explain your rights under the Right to Repair scheme.
  • Give you the name, address and phone number of our usual contractor and at least one other contractor from a list.
  • Make arrangements with you to get into your home to carry out the repair.

If our usual contractor does not start the qualifying repair within the time limit set, you can tell another contractor from the landlord’s list to carry out the repair. You cannot use a contractor who is not on that list. The landlord will then pay you £15 compensation for the inconvenience. If your landlord’s main contractor has started but not completed the repair within the maximum time, you will also be entitled to £15 compensation.

For more information, contact us or read the leaflet produced by the Scottish Government about the scheme. Right to Repair leaflet

Right to compensation

Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Scottish secure tenants and short Scottish secure tenants may be able to receive compensation from their landlord for improvements that they have made to their home on or after 30 September 2002. For you to qualify for this compensation:

  • The Association must have approved the improvement.
  • Your tenancy must have ended.

You can apply for compensation when you know your tenancy is coming to an end.

If you were a secure tenant and carried out improvements to your home before 30 September 2002, you will continue to have rights to compensation under the old scheme.

For more information on either of these, please download the Right to Compensation for Improvements leaflet or contact us to discuss further.