Council’s Disrepair ‘Claims Farmer’ Scam Warning to Tenants
Mid Devon Housing is warning tenants to be wary of ‘claims farmers’ operating in the area. These calls may be from unknown numbers or even local lines. Find out more here.
Report a repair
See What we repair to find out which repairs we're responsible for carrying out. Please note that we do not have to repair all damage to your home, especially if it is deliberate or due to neglect.
If you have an emergency repair, please telephone 01884 255255 straight away. Do not report emergency repairs on our website. Alternatively, please use our Freephone number on 0800 023 2281 to report a repair. You will need to tell us:
- your name and address and a daytime contact telephone number
- description of your repair and its location in your home
- days and times when you will be at home, or any other alternative arrangements for us to carry out your repair
- if you are leaving keys with a neighbour, their address and phone number.
In the event of an emergency outside of office hours please call 01884 255255 and speak with one of the out of hours officers who will be able to assist you.
Arranging appointments
Morning appointments are anytime between 8.00am and 1.00pm (Monday to Friday).
Afternoon appointments are anytime between 1.00pm and 4.30pm (Monday to Thursday).
When you report a repair, we will call you back with an appointment time and date. Please tell us as soon as possible if you need to change the appointment, on Freephone 0800 023 2281.
We aim to keep 100% of all appointments. However, if we are unable to keep the appointment, we will tell you in advance and arrange another time. If we are late for an appointment, you should call us on Freephone 0800 023 2281. You can claim compensation for failed or late appointments - see Priority Repairs.
Pre-inspections
We may have to visit your home before we start repair works. This could be:
- to get more information about the problem
- to quote for a handyman repair
- because the nature of the repair needs a site inspection (such as a problem with damp)
- to take measurements, for instance when new fittings or fixtures are required
We will make an appointment with you for a pre-inspection.
You are responsible for pest control (rodents, hornets, fleas, bedbugs and cockroaches) at your Property. You may be eligible for financial assistance to pay for pest control. We can provide a service for treatment of pest control for a charge. Please speak with the Housing Service for further advice.
Ladybirds, ants and flies
We do not provide a service for the removal of ladybirds, ants and flies. There is lots of information online about how to prevent or treat infestations, or you can contact a pest control company.
Dust mites or silverfish
We do not provide a service for the removal of dust mites or silverfish; however, both can be an indicator of a damp or condensation problems. Please get in touch if you have noticed any signs of dampness or condensation.
Bees
We do not provide a service for the removal of bees. They are not considered a pest and should not be killed or ‘treated’. Bees are an important part of the eco system. If you have problems associated with bees. Please check your telephone directory or alternatively, check the following links for contact information and details of local beekeepers in your area. Many beekeepers will collect bees swarms free of charge.
Wasps
We do not provide a service for the removal of wasps inside or outside individual homes. There is lots of information online about how to prevent or treat infestations, or you can contact a pest control company. If you are concerned about any holes in the walls, around windows, or roofing, which may allow wasps into your home, please let us know and we can repair these.
We may arrange for removal of wasps nests if attached to a communal part of a block of flats, or a high traffic communal or public area. Although considered a pest in homes, the outdoors is their natural habitat and we would not destroy a nest.
Rodents
Small rodents are common outdoors, especially in rural areas, near water courses or where there are lots of food sources. This is quite normal, and most pest controllers will not ‘treat’ or exterminate rodents living in their natural outdoor environments.
To prevent rodents from entering your home and becoming a problem, it is important to:
- Let us know if there are any holes in your external walls, doors or around windows.
- Seal any food sources - Keeping your dry food items (e.g. pasta, sugar, and flour) in plastic or paper bags is just inviting mice inside to enjoy their buffet! Store your dry foods in sealed plastic, metal, or glass containers and, if possible, you should keep the containers on a shelf so they are off the floor. The same also applies to any pet food that you might have! You should keep dry food in bins and any wet food should be kept in storage containers.
- Keep the garden and home clean and tidy
- Keeping gardens well manicured, especially close to the home. Mice can use hedges and plants around your home as somewhere to shelter and nest. You should try to keep your lawn nicely manicured to stop them from hiding there. If you have plants like ivy or wisteria growing up the side of the house, mice will be able to climb it and use it to get onto your roof and into your attic.
- Avoid the use of bird feeders which spill seed onto the floor.
- Avoid leaving rubbish, especially food waste where pests can access it.
If you do have rodents inside your home, please call us as soon as possible