Great Places take the association between health, wellbeing and property condition seriously and expect our customers irrespective of tenure, to place equal regard to resolving such issues that pose a risk to health.
It is therefore imperative that customers allow Great Places access to premises in order to rectify defects, undertake works and attend to property condition matters including inspections.
Where a customer prevents Great Places or their agents from gaining access to premises whether by avoidance, obstruction or unreasonableness, Great Places as a responsible landlord will take enforcement action to resolve the issue.
Enforcement action may involve reliance on tenancy terms, statutory obligations or a breach of trust or contract. Where Great Places relies on court action to gain entry for works, the costs associated with such applications may be passed on to customers by means of a costs order or re-charge.
In respect of works that require customers to temporarily decant from premises in order for works to be completed, Great Places will support customers to consider a range of options available to them. Where no suitable agreement is reached within a reasonable timeframe, relative to the risk posed to all parties, the enforcement route outlined in this section will apply.
Your health and safety is our priority. If we have arranged an appointment with a customer for an issue in their property, including where this puts them at risk and we cannot gain access (e.g. not being home when arranged, to let us in) we may take further action.
This can include a court order requiring a customer to provide access. A breach of a court order can carry serious penalties. This can also be costly for the customer and may impact the health of customers or other members of their household.
So please always make sure you’re there to let us in when you have an appointment. Relying on enforcement is not how we want to work with our customers, but action will be taken when it is deemed necessary.
