South Tyneside Council set to adopt a revised Repairs and Maintenance Policy
South Tyneside Council is reinforcing its commitment to well-maintained homes with its proposed new Repairs Policy.
The local authority’s Cabinet is set to consider a revised Repairs and Maintenance Policy that will ensure compliance with the new Consumer Standards introduced by the Regulator of Social Housing.
These standards require landlords to ensure homes are safe and of good quality, respond promptly to repairs, and provide clear accountability to tenants.
South Tyneside Council states that the proposed updated policy follows an extensive consultation with tenants and introduces a new Tenants Repairs Guide to make responsibilities clearer and improve communication.
If approved, the policy will see emergency repairs continuing to be prioritised, with make-safe attendance within four hours and urgent issues resolved within 24 hours.
It also outlines dedicated measures for tackling damp, mould and condensation are supported by the Council’s Healthy Homes Team, which surveyed thousands of homes last year to identify risks early.
According to Council figures, 91,051 repair requests were handled in 2024/25, with 86% of the them completed at the first visit.
The local authority stated that there were 14,498 emergency repairs, including over 6,000 heating emergencies, with 99.98% completed within timescale.
Councillor Jane Carter, Lead Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “This policy is about giving tenants confidence that their homes are safe and repairs are carried out promptly and professionally.
“The new regulatory standards rightly raise expectations, and we are determined to meet and exceed them.
“By strengthening our approach to repairs and maintenance, we are ensuring homes are safe, healthy and well maintained, while giving tenants clear information and confidence in the service they receive.”
If approved by South Tyneside Council’s Cabinet, the revised policy will be formally adopted from April 2026 and will be supported by a communication plan to ensure tenants understand their rights and responsibilities.