• Repairs Maintenance and Improvements
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A Housing Repairs Service Overview


Services we provide:

  • Responsive Maintenance
  • PVCu Replacements
  • Kitchen Refurbishments
  • Project Works, i.e.: re-roofing, exterior decorating

Did you know:

  • We have a dedicated call centre to receive your calls (01502 523593)
  • You can request a repair using our online form
  • The Council currently spends in the region of £8.0 million per annum on repairs and refurbishment.
  • Your Housing Team were rated as providing a good service (Two Star) service by the Governments Best Value Inspectorate.
  • We provide a 24 hour, 365 day emergency service free of charge to all Council tenants.

We will:

  • Offer you an appointment when work can be undertaken to suit your requirements.
  • Call within 4 hours for emergency work.
  • Deal with urgent but non-emergency calls within 3 days.
  • Deal with most other repairs within 10 days.(some larger projects will require longer) 
  • Recharge you for malicious or accidental damage caused to the property.

You can Help us by:

  • Reporting your repair as soon as possible
  • Providing as much information as possible with your repair requests
  • Ensuring you are at home on a pre arranged appointment
  • Advising us beforehand if you cannot be at home for a pre arranged appointment
  • Obtaining a crime number from the police before reporting any criminal damage to your home such as broken windows, damaged doors etc.
  • Remaining calm and polite to staff when making your report

Alterations by Tenants:

Any tenant wishing to make improvements/alterations to their home must seek written permission from the Council before commencing any works. Certain improvements will require Planning Permission before consent can be granted.

Each case will be considered on its own merits, and permission will not be refused unreasonably. Any work undertaken must be carried out in a professional manner and to the complete satisfaction of the Council. Certain work will only be permitted providing that it is carried out by a qualified tradesperson, such as electrical and gas works, and copies of invoices for such work may be required on completion.  We will also need to see copies of company certification for items such as Corgi and NICEIC.

Tenants must bear in mind any alterations that may carry a maintenance or servicing cost in the future will only be permitted, providing the tenant is prepared to pay for this service themself.

In every case, all improvement works will be solely at the tenant's expense. Should any proposed alteration works require the removal of a current council installed fixture then permission is generally granted on the understanding that the improved fixture remains or the original fixture is reinstated on vacating the property.

You can get in touch with us by:

Telephone: 01502 523593

E-mail - repairs@waveney.gov.uk

If you are unhappy:

  • You can make a formal complaint via the Council's complaint procedure
  • Advise us via the various satisfaction surveys we carry out
  • Ring and request to speak to the Service Manager of either Housing or Building to discuss the matter

Frequently Asked Questions:

What repairs will Waveney District Council undertake to my Council home?

Generally Waveney District Council is responsible for the maintenance to:

  • The structure and exterior of the building
  • The fittings for the supply of water, gas & electricity
  • Heating facilities
  • Domestic hot water
  • Kitchen cupboards
  • Bathroom suite, toilet pan and cistern
  • Vinyl floor covering in kitchens and bathrooms
  • Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide detectors
  • Chimneys and flues

What repairs am I responsible for?

  • Rotary lines and clothes dryers (excluding sheltered schemes)
  • Gates and fencing
  • Damaged vinyl floor coverings/tiles (other than kitchens and bathrooms)
  • TV Aerials
  • All decoration inside the property
  • Coat hooks, curtain battens and fittings
  • Ash pans and open fires
  • Internal doors and their associated door furniture
  • Toilet seats and covers (excluding elderly and disabled tenants)
  • Lock changes following lost keys or being locked out
  • Re-glazing windows and doors where not accompanied by a Police Crime number.
  • Any damage caused by tenants or their visitors
  • The maintenance of any additions or improvements you have made
  • Shower curtain replacements

When I have been allocated a Council House, what work will have been done on it?

Prior to letting any Waveney District Council House the property will have been inspected for the following:

  • Electrical safety
  • Gas safety
  • Secure windows and doors
  • Adequate decorative order
  • Kitchen refurbishment or repairs if necessary
  • Bathroom and toilet fixtures and fittings
  • Garden and outbuildings condition
  • Smoke detector (and Carbon Monoxide Detectors where necessary)
  • Safety of stairs and banisters
  • Flooring
  • Damage and rot in any woodwork
  • Cooking facilities
  • Meter and stop tap positions
  • Provision for tenants appliances
  • Aids and adaptations if required.

What should I do if I need to report a repair?

You can request a repair using our online form or

Please telephone Waveney District Council Repairs Departments Call Centre direct on 01502 523593 and explain as clearly as you can what the problems are. During busy periods you may encounter our Voicemail service, if you can leave details of the nature of your repair, your address and telephone number and the fault will be dealt with or a telephone call will be made to you. Should it be necessary for you to leave a message on our voicemail system, in each case we shall call you back to confirm receipt of your call.

During times when the office is closed please only make repair requests of an emergency nature, other calls will not be attended to until normal working hours. When the office is closed please still use the same number 01502 523593 and an automated advice line will give you emergency numbers to call.

Will I have to wait long for my repair to be carried out?

The following repairs will be attended to on the same day of the call being made:

  • Serious water leaks
  • Loss of electrical supply
  • Blocked drains
  • Hot water and heating breakdowns
  • Insecure properties
  • No water supply (where it is not a water board fault)
  • Toilet not flushing ( where there is only one toilet in the home)

For more routine maintenance problems it may be reasonable to allow a period of days or weeks for Waveney District Council to organise the repairs.

You may also request an appointment for works to be carried out. These are booked in on a morning or afternoon basis.

Some repairs may require a prior visit from one of our Maintenance Officers to discuss the repair further with you, identify the fault and undertake any measuring up etc. We may also make follow up visits after the repair has been carried out to check that the work has actually been completed and that it is of an acceptable standard.

What do I do if I suspect a gas leak or have concerns with gas safety?

Telephone Transco immediately for advice on 0800 111 999. Do not wait to contact Waveney District Council first if you think that there may be a gas leak.

What happens if I am out when the Council visits?

The workman or Maintenance Officer will leave a calling card with either their name or the name of the company he works for and a contact telephone number for you to arrange an alternative date and time for a visit.

Can I undertake any repairs to my Council home myself?

If you want to make any alteration or improvement to your home you must notify us in writing that you intend to do so, please address all requests to:

Repairs Section
Waveney District Council
Rotterdam Road
LOWESTOFT
Suffolk
NR32 2EF

A visit from a Maintenance Officer may be necessary to discuss the details of the work. A letter of permission from us must be obtained before any work can go ahead.