Repairs and improvements
New build shared ownership properties usually come with a defects period which lasts for 1 year after the property was handed over to Rotherham Council.
If the property is within the defects period, any defects should be directed to Rotherham Council to raise with the developer. Please be advised that defects are different to repairs, and anything that you break would be your responsibility to repair.
After the initial defect period is over, all repairs on your property will be your responsibility as the homeowner.
In most situations, you will require permission if you would like to make home improvements. You can decorate or paint without requiring permission, however any larger changes would require written permission from your landlord before work can commence.
Shared ownership flat responsibilities
| Your responsibility | Rotherham Councils responsibility |
|---|---|
| Internal decoration | Communal gardens and paths, fences, gates and steps |
| Internal repair and maintenance | Unadopted roads, pathways and streetlights |
| Internal doors | Communal car parking spaces |
| Glass in windows | Individual flat front doors |
| Internal plaster, floorboards,tiling, wall coveringsa and floor coverings | All internal communal areas, including communal floor coverings and communal wall coverings |
| Radiatiors | Roof and roof space |
| Boilers | Communal boilers |
| Water and sanitary equipment | Communal aerial, lighting and radiators |
| Gas and electical products | Fire alarms and emergency lighting |
| Pipes, drainage and wiring | External decoration |
| Light fixtures and fittings (Including bulbs, sockets, switches and fuses) | Pipes, drains and wires passing through communal areas |
| Kitchen fixtures and fittings (including cookers) | Door entry systems |
| Bathroom fixtures and fittings | Lifts |
| Gas or electric fire (including fire surround) | Communal windows and doors |
| Door frames and skirting boards | Balconies |
| Contents insurance | Any other communal facilities available |
| Arranging building insurance (shared owners / leaseholders pay through the service charge) |
Shared owneship house responsibilities
| Your responsibility | Rotherham Council's responsibility |
|---|---|
| Internal and external decoration | Communal garden s and associated fences, gates and steps |
| Internal and external repair and maintenance (including structural work) | Unadopted roads, pathways and streetlights |
| Internal and external doors and windows | Communal car parking spaces |
| Internal plaster, florboards, tiling, wall covering, ceiling coverings and floor coverings | Arranging building insurance (Shared owners / leaseholders pay through the service charge) |
| Radiators | Any other communal facilities that are available |
| Boilers | |
| Water and sanitary equipment | |
| Gas and electrical products | |
| Pipes, drainage and wires | |
| Light fixtures and fittings (including bulbs, sockets, switches and fuses) | |
| Kitchen fixtures and fittings (including cookers) | |
| Bathroom fixtures and fittings | |
| Gas or electric fire (including fire surrounds) | |
| Smoke alarms | |
| Door frames and skirting boards | |
| Contents insurance | |
| Roof and roof space | |
| Garden area including fences, paths, gates and steps (please refer to your lease for the red line drawings) |