|Q: My home does not have any smoke detectors. Is this illegal?
A: Not necessarily. New homes must have smoke detectors powered by mains electricity. Houses in Multiple Occupation, regardless of when they were converted must also have smoke detectors.
|Q: I have no double glazing, can you make the landlord put new windows in?
A: No. All new windows must be double glazed and meet certain energy efficiency requirements, but there is no requirement to replace existing singly glazed windows.
|Q: I've been living in my house for a few months but the gas boiler hasn't been serviced since I moved in. What should I do?
A: Gas appliances, which are not properly maintained, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning which is very dangerous. There are special regulations about gas safety.
|Q: My fridge has broken. Does my landlord have to replace it?
A: If your tenancy includes furniture and/or items such as a cooker or fridge, it is up to your landlord to repair or replace them if they break down or wear out. It is up to you to repair any furniture and items that belong to you.
|Q: I don't have central heating in my home. Can you make the landlord install it?
A: Some works count as improvements rather than repairs, but it's not always clear cut. For example, installing central heating in a home that previously didn't have it would usually be an improvement. This also applies to things such as double glazing.
|Q: If I complain to you about disrepair in my home, can the landlord evict me?
A: This would depend on the tenancy agreement and how long the tenancy had to run. The landlord has to follow specific guidelines to ask you to leave the property. If your landlord threatens to evict you, you should contact either Shelter Cymru (tel: 0845 075 5005), the Citizens Advice Bureau or a private solicitor for advice.
|Q: I complained to my landlord about damp in my home. He insists it's condensation and refuses to do anything about it. What can you do?
A: If you have black mould growth in the property, which is mainly on the outside walls and behind furniture, it is likely to be condensation. There are a few things that you need to do to prevent condensation. These are highlighted in our leaflet, 'How to prevent condensation in your home'. For a copy of this leaflet, please contact us on 01792 635600 or email evh@swansea.gov.uk.
|Q: I want to move and am on my local Housing Association list for accommodation. They have advised me to contact you for help. Can you help me move?
A: We will only visit you if you have genuine issues with disrepair in your existing home. We will then take the necessary action with your landlord. If there are items of improvement, we will give you a list on request.
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This page last updated on January 7 2013