Improvements and repairs

This section explains what assistance is avalable with repairing and improving your home.

I am an Owner Occupier or Private Tenant

Owner Occupiers and Private Tenants with a Repairing Responsibility can access assistance with repairing or improving their home through the Highland Council Scheme of Assistance

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What is a Repairing Responsibility?

Some private tenancies have what is known as a Repairing Responsibility. This means that the tenant is generally responsible for repairs and maintenance of their rented property and this most often applies for long term tenancies and life rents. These tenants qualify for assistance under the Scheme of Assistance.

The majority of short assured tenancies do not have a repairing responsibility and your responsibilities should have been made clear to you when you signed for your tenancy. If you are in any doubt about which sort of tenancy you have, you should check your agreement or contact your landlord or agent. We cannot use the Scheme of Assistance to help tenants whose Landlords should be maintaining and repairing the property on your behalf.

If your landlord should be maintaining and repairing your property and is failing to do so, you can contact the Private Rented Housing Panel for help.  They are an independent Panel with responsibility for dealing with repair or rent disputes between Landlords and Tenants in the Private Sector.

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I rent my home from a Housing Association

Your tenancy agreement with your landlord will set out which repair and improvement works they are responsible for, and what your responsibilities are. If you rent from a Housing Association, please contact your Landlord to discuss repair or improvement of your property.

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I rent my home from The Highland Council

The Highland Council owns and manages about 13,700 houses in the Highlands.

We are responsible for the outside of your property, the main structure and any fittings and appliances we have provided.  We are also responsible for maintenance of communal areas.  You must take care of the inside of your property and do certain repairs.   You will find information about council house repairs and equipment and adaptaitons in council houses  in the section on council house tenanies

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