Accessing council properties
Contents
- Accessing council properties for repairs, safety checks and support
- Stock condition surveys
- Repairs and improvements survey
Accessing council properties for repairs, safety checks and support
We need to visit your home from time-to-time, including for:
- annual inspections for your heating (including gas, oil, solid fuel and renewables)
- essential repairs that may become dangerous such as leaks and electrical works
- damp and mould inspections and works
- regular electrical installation inspection and testing
- surveys (e.g. asbestos or stock condition)
- inspections for aids and adaptations
- property condition surveys
- tenancy support
- housing management
- rent arrears support
We will try to accommodate your availability. Let us know if you need to change your appointment.
Video - Accessing council propertiesIt's important that you allow all visits to go ahead, especially those that are our legal duty like essential safety checks. Failure to do so could result in us taking legal action which could affect your tenancy.
When we visit
Make sure your property is:
- clean, safe and hygienic
- well ventilated
- free from household rubbish
- clutter free - especially in any area we will be working
Pets (especially dogs - regardless of temperament) need to be in another room or outside. If this isn't possible, keep them on a lead and under control.
Please do not smoke in our presence - it is your home, but it is our workplace.
All staff and contractors carry official NNC photo ID.
Checks in detail
Gas safety and carbon monoxide
We'll check all council-owned gas appliances (boilers, gas fires) once a year. We need to carry out an annual gas inspection by law.
You must allow access for us to do this.
If you don’t allow access, we will apply to the court for a warrant of entry (the costs of which will be added to your account) and may possibly seek possession of your property for breach of tenant obligations if you are wilfully or obstructing us from undertaking our duty
We will send a letter along with an appointment date. This will be followed up by a reminder call or text message.
Please re-arrange your appointment in good time if you can't to be there.
If you have your own gas cooker or other appliance, it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s serviced annually and safe to use.
If an appliance is unsafe, our engineer will disconnect it and explain what you need to do to make it safe again.
Regular gas checks also prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and ensure your smoke and heat alarms work properly.
You can contact our team on 01536 859004 or email [email protected].
Electrical safety and smoke alarms
We carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every 5 years or when you move in.
This checks the wiring, sockets and fittings to make sure everything is safe.
Smoke alarms are also tested during this visit.
You can contact our team on 01536 807095 or email [email protected].
Asbestos safety
Some older properties may contain small amounts of asbestos.
We carry out surveys to identify and manage these materials safely - especially before major works such as new kitchens, bathrooms or heating systems.
You can contact our team on 01536 807083 or email [email protected].
Fire safety
We regularly complete Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) in sheltered housing schemes and blocks of flats.
These checks make sure communal areas are clear, fire doors are working, and safety equipment meets current standards.
If you spot anything that looks unsafe, please let us know.
You can contact our team on 01536 805841 or email [email protected].
Water hygiene
To prevent Legionella bacteria, we carry out water hygiene checks and Legionella Risk Assessments (especially in buildings with shared hot-water systems such as sheltered housing schemes).
You can contact our team on 01536 805841 or email [email protected].
Last updated 07 November 2025