A communal repair is a repair to a shared part of your building or estate. This could be inside a block, such as a stairwell or entrance hall. It could also be outside, such as a shared path, gate or garden.

Communal repairs can include repairs to roofs, gutters, walls, flooring, lighting, doors, fences, pipework, drainage and shared equipment. What is communal at your home will depend on the building or estate you live in.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a communal repair?

The quickest way is through My Peabody, which is available 24 hours a day.

You can also call us on 0300 123 3456 or report online.

If the problem is an emergency or there is an immediate safety risk, please call us rather than reporting it online. If you call outside our normal opening hours, your call will be directed to our emergency service.

I’m a tenant, who is responsible for communal repairs and maintenance?

If you rent your home from us, we are responsible for many repairs to the structure of your home, as well as the communal parts of your building or estate.

For example, we are generally responsible for things such as roofs, external walls, communal doors, communal lighting, lifts and shared heating or drainage systems.

You are responsible for some things inside your home, such as your own domestic appliances, curtains, light bulbs and some decorating and flooring.

There can be exceptions, so check your tenancy agreement or our repair responsibilities information if you are unsure.

I’m a leaseholder, who is responsible for communal repairs and maintenance?

As a leaseholder, you are generally responsible for most repairs and maintenance inside your own home.

We’re normally responsible for the structure of a block and the communal areas and systems we manage. This can include communal doors, lifts, lighting, shared drainage and other communal equipment.

If you are unsure, please check your lease as this usually sets out these responsibilities.

I’m a shared owner, who is responsible for communal repairs and maintenance?

Shared owners are also leaseholders. This means you are generally responsible for most repairs inside your home, even though you may only own a share of it.

We’re normally responsible for communal areas and the parts of the building that your lease says are our responsibility.

The position can be different if you live in a house rather than a flat, so check your lease carefully.

I’m a freeholder, who is responsible for communal repairs and maintenance?

If you own your home as a freeholder, your responsibilities are set out in your transfer agreement, so please check this if you are unsure.

You will generally be responsible for repairs to your own property. You may still contribute towards shared estate services or communal areas that we manage if your transfer agreement says you must.

Your service charge should only include services that apply to your building or estate and that can be charged under your agreement.

My building has a managing agent, who is responsible for communal repairs and maintenance?

Some buildings and estates are managed partly or fully by another managing agent. This means responsibility for services and repairs can be shared between Peabody and the managing agent.

Please check your service charge information or contact us if you are not sure who you should report something to.

I am a homeowner. Does that mean you won’t carry out any repairs?

Not necessarily. We use the term homeowner to include different types of home ownership. This can include leaseholders, shared owners and freeholders.

Your responsibilities depend on your agreement and the type of property you live in. You may be responsible for the inside of your home while we remain responsible for parts of the building or estate that are shared.

Please check your tenancy agreement, lease or transfer agreement if you are unsure.

I live in a street property. Do I still have communal repairs?

Yes. A home does not necessarily need to be inside a block of flats to benefit from shared services. For example, your home might be part of an estate with shared paths, gardens, gates, drainage, lighting or other facilities.

If we maintain those shared areas, repairs to them can be treated as communal or estate repairs. Whether you contribute towards the cost will depend on your tenancy agreement, lease or transfer agreement, so please check this if you are unsure.

What if a repair affects both my home and a communal area, or I’m not sure if its’s communal?

Please report it and explain the problem. You don’t need to work out all the repair responsibilities before asking for help.

Tell us where the problem is, what has happened and whether there is a safety concern. We can check who is responsible and explain what happens next.

Peabody colleague showing pass at door

Repairs and improvements

Find out what we’re doing to make sure your Peabody home is safe and well looked after.
Residents Looking At Screen

Tenants rights and responsibilities

To make your tenancy a happy one, it’s important to understand your tenancy agreement and what it means for you.
Couple Looking At Laptop

Insurance for your home

What our building insurance covers, how to make a claim and why we encourage you to insure your home contents.

Contact us

Got specific questions about Peabody? We’re always happy to help.