How to book a repair
The easiest way to request a repair to your home is make an online report or ring our contact centre 01942 489005.
Our and your responsibilities
Our responsibility:
- Main structure of the building, including external walls, foundations, roof and external decoration
- External doors, locks and keys unless you have lost your keys
- Windows and window handles - we will replace broken glazing if a crime has been committed and a crime reference number obtained
- Drains, gutters and external pipes
- Front fencing and gates including footpaths where these are shared or are the main walkway to your home
- Internal structure, including ceilings, walls, floors, stairs and skirting boards but not internal decoration
- Internal doors unless these have been replaced by you
- Main wiring, sockets, switches, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Boiler and heating repairs unless it is a system or fire that has been fitted by you
- Kitchen units, worktops, extractor fans and tiling unless these have been fitted by you
- Plumbing including soil pipes, external drainage, hot and cold water supply and major blockages to sinks, wash basins, baths and showers. You are responsible for minor blockages and general cleaning to ensure water is free flowing
- Bathroom fittings including bath, shower, wash basin, toilet and cistern and original tiling and taps unless these have been replaced by you
- Communal areas, including door entry systems, corridor and stairway lights, and rubbish chutes.
Please note: if you have had permission to alter or improve your property, any repairs carried out by Wigan Council would be replaced from our council stock, we would be unable to replace like for like.
Your responsibility:
- The internal decoration of your home
- Minor cracks or holes in plaster
- Curtain pole, track or rail replacement
- Fitting of washing machines, tumble driers or dishwashers
- Fitting of cookers - gas cookers must be fitted by a Gas Safe Engineer
- Upkeep of your garden, including arranging collection of any bulky items and waste, such as mattresses and large electrical items
- Replacement of light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- Replacement of fuses to your own electrical appliance and resetting of trip switches
- Replacement of lost keys
- Doorbell
- Internal door handles
- Broken glazing, unless a crime has been committed - we will fix this if you give us a crime reference number
- Door changes to accommodate carpets or new flooring, including re-fixing of any draught excluders
- Wooden Sheds
- Clothes poles and washing lines
- Fencing to rear gardens - unless the garden backs on to open land, a road, waterway or footpath, when we will be responsible
- Installing and maintaining aerials (unless it is one fitted by us for the benefit of a communal area)
- Replacement of toilet seats (unless it is fitted by us as part of the bathroom programme and still under warranty)
- Replacement of plugs and chains
- Fixtures and fittings to the property that you have provided, such as internal doors, laminate flooring, tiling, and shelving. You need permission from us before you make any changes
- Bleeding radiators
- Appropriate heating and ventilation to reduce incidents of condensation.
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is for guidance only. If you have problems with any of the above, please contact us for assistance.
Will you charge me for repairs?
If a repair is needed because you, your family or a visitor to your home have caused damage, or if you have neglected your home, we will charge you for the cost of the repair, plus VAT at the current rate and an administration fee.
We will tell you why we are charging you and may give you the chance to carry out repair work yourself.
At the end of your tenancy you may be charged for any damage to the property and the cost of removing any rubbish you leave in the house or garden.
How-to repair videos - try it yourself
We've put together a number of 'How-to' repair videos to help you carry out some basic repairs that are not under the responsibility of the council.
You will also find video tutorials guiding you through the initial checks to do when your heating or electrics are not working. It's worth giving these a go, as there can sometimes be a simple solution to fix issues without the need for an engineer.
If you have followed the tutorials in the videos and the problem persists, please request a repair online.
How can I cancel my repair?
If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment this can be done online Housing Account or you can contact our contact centre 01942 489005.