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Coronavirus: Read the latest updates if you need help, advice or information from the councils on Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Housing repairs and maintenance

COVID-19 update 

As the government manages the gradual easing of the Covid 19 lock-down, we are looking at ways we can re-mobilise our repairs and maintenance services. In our latest newsletter, we informed you that you can now report certain non-urgent repairs such as those relating to external works and plumbing, where we are able to get the materials; there remains a nationwide shortage. Mears staff taking your call will be able to advise you if your repair is something they are ready and able to undertake, or whether it will take a little while longer. All emergency works continue to be undertaken, as they have been.

We are also planning to start some of our essential cyclical maintenance programmes from 1 July, particularly those that entail repairing and redecorating communal areas and external parts of buildings. Each project is being assessed by our new in-house team of Project Surveyors and if it is deemed safe to undertake the works, allowing for social distancing, they will write to you and let you know. As usual, all operatives will carry photo ID cards and the use appropriate PPE.

A major project for Property Services this year is to undertake a stock condition survey of all properties. This involves assessing the condition of all aspects of buildings we own and manage. At the present time, we do not think we should seek to enter tenant’s homes to survey them, however we are going to recommence assessing blocks and houses externally and internal communal areas, but not retirement accommodation. FFT Ltd have been appointed to undertake this project, and once again, their surveyors will all carry photo ID cards and any necessary PPE.

This remains a difficult time for everyone but we are keen to re-start the repairs and maintenance service as soon as we are able, to support our tradespeople and their livelihoods.

We provide a repair service for Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough council tenants. Find out who is responsible for the repair and how to report it to us by selecting your council below.

Gas leaks

If you smell gas call National Grid Gas Emergencies on  0800 111999 this is a 24 hour emergency line. Please also inform us also after you have reported the incident.

Malicious damage or neglect

As a tenant it is your responsibility to look after your home and keep it decorated, clean and free from rubbish. You must not deliberately break windows, doors or any fixtures or fittings. If we have to carry out a repair or remove rubbish for which you’re responsible, you will be recharged for the works. In extreme cases such as neglect may cause grounds for eviction. 

Request a repair

You can use this form to request a repair to your Lewes District council home or communal area. Please complete all the mandatory fields and include a brief description of the repair required

Start now

 

Once your request has been received we can then set up a morning or afternoon appointment depending on your preference. We also operate Saturday morning appointments for smaller repairs.

Heating problems

For all Gas heating repairs please contact BSW Building Services on 01444 836036. If you live in sheltered accommodation please call 01273 471600 alternatively you can use your emergency alarm cord to report faults with your heating.

Emergency repairs

Please do not report emergency repairs via this form, please call us at any time on 01273 471600. Charges may be made if a call out is for a non-emergency repair.       

An emergency does not included repairs such as:       

  • light not working (unless sparking electrics)    
  • leaking gutters or overflows
  • a minor leak from a radiator that could be contained in a bowl
 

Right to Repair terms for claims and compensation

Lewes District council, under the Right to Repair scheme has to carry out certain urgent repairs within given time limits where the cost does not exceed £250.00.

For the repair to qualify under the scheme you must provide a time for the contractor to carry out the work and possibly for a Lewes District council maintenance surveyor to carry out an inspection. If not then you will invalidate any claim you may have been able to make under this scheme.

This work should be completed by the target date on your Customer Repair Notice.

If the repair is not attended to by then you can ask for the work to be issued to a second contractor. If again the work is not completed in the time shown  you can ask for compensation of £10.00 plus £2.00 for each day after to a maximum of £50.00.

The time limit is suspended if there are events beyond the control of Lewes District council or the contractor which prevents the work being completed on time. For example bad weather or parts being unavailable.

 

Request a repair

You can use this form to request a repair to your Eastbourne Borough council home or communal area. Please complete all mandatory fields and include a brief description of the repair needed.

Start now

Once your request has been received we can then set up a morning or afternoon appointment depending on your preference. We also operate Saturday morning appointment for smaller repairs.

Heating problems

For all Gas heating repairs, please contact BSW Heating on 0800 1422761. If you live in sheltered accommodation please call 01323 410000 and select option 1.

Emergency Repairs

Please do not report emergency repairs via this form, instead call us at any time on 01323 410000. Please ensure this is a real emergency. Charges may be made if a call out is for non-emergency repair.

An emergency does not included repairs such as:

  • a light not working (unless sparking electrics)

  • leaking gutter or overflows

  • minor leak from radiator than can be contained in bowl.

Right to repair terms for claims and compensation

Eastbourne Borough council, under the Right to Repair scheme has to carry out certain urgent repairs within given time limits where the cost does not exceed £250.00.

For the repair to qualify under the scheme you must provide a time for the contractor to carry out the work, and possibly for an Eastbourne Borough council maintenance surveyor to carry out an inspection. If not then you will invalidate any claim you may have been able to make under this scheme.

This work should be completed by the target date on the Customer Repair Notice.

If the repair is not attended to by then you can ask for the work to be issued to a second contractor. If again the work is not completed in the time shown you can ask for compensation of £10.00 plus £2.00 for each day after to a maximum of £50.00.

The time limit is suspended if there are events beyond the control of Eastbourne Borough council or the contractor which prevents the work being completed on time. For example bad weather or parts available.

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