Repairs

What do I do in emergency situations?

Emergency situations are actually or potentially dangerous, or present a serious risk to health. They are likely to affect the structure or security of your home and need to be addressed straight away to eliminate the risk to you, others or your home.

If your repair is an emergency during office hours or out of hours, please call 01792 619400 pressing option 1.

Some examples of emergencies are;

    • Damage as a result of storm or severe weather (bear in mind that if severe weather is still present then it is likely to be too dangerous to do work)
    • Flooding that is likely to cause severe damage or where you are unable to turn off the water supply
    • Loss of complete electrical supply
    • Loss of complete heating and/or hot water system (in Winter only)

In most cases an emergency will be attended within 4 hours.

How do I report a repair?

You can report non-urgent repairs Monday – Thursday 8am – 5.30pm and Friday 8am – 4.30pm:

  • By calling our repairs team on 01792 619400
  • By emailing repairs@coastalha.co.uk
  • By completing the contact form at the bottom of this tab.

We’ll arrange a convenient appointment with you for someone to carry out the repair. We normally offer morning or afternoon slots to minimise inconvenience to you.

Morning slots are between 9am-1pm and afternoon slots are 1pm-5pm.

Depending on the nature of the repair it could either be completed by Coastal Repairs Team or by an external contractor.


What repairs am I responsible for?
  • All internal decorations unless your Occupation Contract states otherwise
  • Filling minor internal cracks in walls
  • Replacing light bulbs, fluorescent tubes/starters, fuses and batteries
  • Replacing floor coverings unless they were fitted by us
  • Replacing plugs and chains to baths, basins and sinks
  • Adjusting or replacing letter box covers
  • Altering kitchen units to fit new appliances (Coastal approval will be required)
  • Repairing or replacing washing lines or posts
  • Changing or replacing toilet seats and other bathroom fittings like loo roll holders
  • Any plumbing and / or fitting of your own appliances
  • Providing additional power sources and sockets (Coastal approval will be required)
  • Cutting extra keys and replacing keys and locks if keys are lost or repairs are required due to forcing or gaining access
  • Glazing, unless a criminal reference number is provided
  • Dealing with pests like wasps, ants’ nests, vermin, fleas or beetle infestation inside the home unless due to a property defect and in all cases outside the home
  • Meter cupboards and doors (contact your supplier)
  • TV aerial repairs (unless you are part of a communal system)
I've lost my keys, what do I do?

We operate an emergency key replacement service however, if you have lost or misplaced your keys you will be charged for this service.

Alternatively, you can arrange for a locksmith to gain access and renew your keys and cover the cost of this direct.

 

Can I re-arrange a repair that's booked?

Of course. Just call our Maintenance Team on 01792 619400 with details of the booked repair and we can re-arrange it for a more convenient day or time.

Do I need permission to make home improvements?

This depends what you want to do. Best to give us a call on 01792 619400 and discuss your plans so we can advise.

If permission is required we’ll send out a form for you to complete and return by freepost.

Once we’ve received it and it’s been reviewed by the Maintenance Inspector for your area, we’ll let you know whether you can go ahead with it.

What if I have no TV signal?

Firstly check if everything is plugged in correctly to the TV and contact your TV provider to see if there’s a problem with the connection.

It might also be useful to speak to your neighbours to see if they’re experiencing problems.

If there’s a problem with a communal aerial we can arrange a repair visit, but if the problem is caused by your own TV or provider, we will charge for the call-out.

How can I prevent condensation and mould?

An average family will produce approximately 20 pints of moisture every day. Activities such as bathing, cleaning, cooking, washing or drying clothes indoors can all introduce moisture into the air.

Condensation occurs when this moisture in the air meets cold surfaces and condenses into water droplets. It can be a sign that the room isn’t properly heated and/or ventilated. Condensation can cause mould to form on walls, ceilings, behind furniture, in cupboards and around windows.

Get more information on how to control condensation and mould.

My sink or toilet is blocked. What do I do?

Blocked sinks and toilets are the responsibility of the resident. These can often be remedied with products available on the high street or at your local supermarket.

If the blockage is caused as a result of blocked external drains then you should report this to Coastal.

My smoke detector is beeping. What should I do?

All smoke detectors in homes provided by Coastal are hard wired and we are responsible for repairing or replacing them.

If you hear a bleeping noise from the detector when no smoke or heat is present or if you think it is not working, you should report this to Coastal.

We recommend you test your smoke detector weekly to ensure it’s working correctly.

Who is responsible for my garden?

Unless you live in a home with a communal garden then you are responsible for maintaining your garden. However if your garden contains large trees, we may help maintain these if they cause any danger to the building.

If you have a communal garden, we maintain these.

Who insures the property?

Coastal insures the structure of the property including the main walls and roof and some internal fixtures.

You are responsible for insuring your own personal belongings within the property via home contents insurance. Policies are available that cover any internal decorations you have made and items you store in sheds, etc.

Find out more here about contents insurance

Coastal will not reimburse you for any personal items damaged or lost as a result of an accident or unforeseen incident such as a leak in your property. It is a good idea to check that lock changes are covered under your home insurance.

On some occasions, jobs may have to be done via an insurance company and these may take a little longer to arrange and complete.

What repairs are Coastal responsible for?
  • Roof, chimneys, gutters and down pipes
  • External walls, doors and window frames
  • Paths, steps, walls and fences
  • Electrical wiring sockets, switches and  smoke alarms
  • Kitchens, bathroom and sanitary appliances
  • Fitted fires, gas central heating systems or fixed electrical heaters
  • Internal walls and doors (except for minor cracks or damage you may cause)
What happens if my fixings have been removed during a repair?

In some circumstances your personal items may have to be moved in order to complete a repair.

If these belong to, or have been fitted by you then they are your responsibility to remove. In certain cases Coastal staff or our contractors will need to move or take these items up but will not be held responsible for any damage caused in doing so.

Who services my gas boiler and/or fire?

If there is a gas fire or central heating boiler in your home, Coastal has a legal duty to carry out a service of it every 12 months. We carry these out on a 10 month rolling cycle to make sure we remain in compliance. We’ll then provide you with certification and peace of mind!

It’s really important we can get access to your home to complete the service. We’ll book the appointment with you and be as flexible as we can with times and dates to try and keep any inconvenience to a minimum.

Fire Action Plan

In the event of a fire in your home you should leave your home by the safest route possible.

We suggest you plan for such an incident and have a Plan A along with a back up Plan B should one of the exits be blocked. You should also make sure other members of the household know what to do in the event of a fire.

Some general advice is to;

  • Test your smoke alarm weekly
  • Do not place candles near curtains or other materials and never leave them unattended
  • Ensure ovens and cookers are turned off after use
  • Do not smoke in bed and check all cigarettes are properly extinguished
  • Switch off and unplug electrical appliances
  • Never overload electrical sockets
  • Do not store bottled gas or cylinders in your home
  • Make sure that all stairs, landings and passages forming an escape route are kept clear
What should I do if I smell gas?

You should report any suspected gas leaks to the National Gas Emergency line on freephone 0800 111 999.

If you think you smell gas:

    • Do not smoke or light a flame
    • Open doors and windows to get rid of the gas
    • Check if the gas has been left on unlit on any appliance
    • Check if a pilot light has gone out
    • Turn the gas off at the meter
    • Do not use any electrical equipment including doorbells or lights

Call the National Gas Emergency from a phone outside your home on freephone 0800 111 999.

My electricity has cut out - what should I do?

Electricity can cut out due to a number of problems including:

    • Electrical storms
    • Light bulbs blowing
    • Faulty or misused appliances/leads
    • Too many appliances being used at the same time
    • An overloaded circuit
    • Overfilled kettles
    • Unclean toasters
    • Worn out or cracked cooker rings
    • Faulty immersion heaters

You can switch the power back on at your electricity consumer unit. This is usually next to the meter, and will either contain trip switches or fuses. Depending on which you have, you will need to either reset a trip switch or change a fuse to restore your electricity

If you have a pre-paid meter, please check this in credit.

Resetting a Trip Switch

Modern electric circuits are fitted with a circuit-breaker fuse system, so if a fault occurs, it causes a trip switch to be activated and the circuit to be broken.

To switch your electricity back on again:

    • Open the cover of your unit. Check which switches have tripped to the off position and which rooms (circuits) have been affected. Flick these switches back on to restore the power.
    • If the tripping keeps happening, identify which appliance is causing the problem by unplugging each one on the affected circuit. Switch the tripped switch to the ON position, and then plug in each appliance one-by-one until the trip goes again
    • Leave this appliance unplugged and get it fixed by a qualified electrician or engineer.

If after following this process the electrics do not reset, report the repair to us at Coastal.

Tenancy

How much notice do I need to give to end my contract?

You need to give us 4 weeks, or 1 month written notice to end your contract.  Call us on 01792 479200 and we can send you a template letter to complete and return.

How can I pay my rent?

There are a number of ways to pay your rent.

Find the best option for you here

Can I set up a Direct Debit?

Call us on 01792 479200 and press option 1 and our Rent Management Team can set up a direct debit with you over the phone.

Why do I have to pay my rent in advance?

It is part of your Occupation Contract that rent is paid in advance to prevent your account from going into arrears.

Am I allowed to keep pets?

Coastal Housing promotes responsible pet ownership and recognises the benefits that pet ownership can bring to our residents and communities in terms of companionship and positively effecting people’s health and wellbeing.

Pets are permitted though there are some exceptions that exist. Such exceptions will be made clear to applicants ahead of any allocation being approved or exchange/transfer being completed.

If during a tenancy, residents wish to acquire a pet which will live in our property; our permission must be sought and obtained first.  Where permission is refused, reasons will be given to explain this
decision. You can visit out Pet page to submit a pet request here.

If the animals in question cause/significantly contribute to nuisance being caused to neighbours/other local residents, then the issue will dealt with as nuisance under the relevant terms of the anti-social behaviour policy.

Can I transfer to a different property with Coastal?

If you have been a tenant for over year you are entitled to apply to Homeswapper www.homeswapper.co.uk

Homeswapper is a service that helps you find / swap properties with other Coastal Housing residents and residents of other social landlords.

If you need to move immediately due to exceptional circumstances you can contact us on 01792 479200.

Can I have my own personal satellite dish?

If you are in a house or bungalow you need to complete an application to carry out a home improvement to make sure you have permission. We do not allow personal satellite dishes on flats because a communal Sky dish is provided.  It should be noted that communal dishes are not Sky+, so if you’re paying for a package as such it would be worth getting in touch with Sky to alter your package.

Who is responsible for taking meter readings at the start/end of my tenancy?

You should always take your own meter readings when you start or end a tenancy with us for your own records.

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