Work starts on home repair backlog

The council’s building services team has provided an update for tenants and customers on how elements of the service will be reintroduced.

During the lockdown, building services continued to deliver essential services to tenants, including emergency critical repairs, work in void properties, reduced enhanced estates management service to communal blocks and the completion of gas services.

The service will now be able to resume work including the completion of existing routine repairs and the resumption of the enhanced estates management service.

Building services employees and contractors will continue to follow the guidelines from the

Scottish Government and NHS Inform when completing work.

In preparation for the return of housing repairs, the building services team will be contacting tenants who had reported routine repairs before March 23 to find out whether these repairs are still required.

Tenants can report emergency repairs to the council’s customer service centre on 01506 280000.

Executive councillor for services for the community George Paul said: “Following the updated national guidance in relation to construction, building services can now start to look at resuming a number of non-essential repairs or planned upgrades to properties of tenants where physical distancing can be maintained.

“It may not be possible to carry out all activities at this initial stage and it may take longer than usual to carry out more non-essential work.

“Tenants will be asked to follow social distancing guidelines when building services employees or contractors visit their home.

“It is important that the guidance is appropriately followed by all to ensure everyone is kept safe.

“We understand that some tenants may still be apprehensive about having people in their homes.

“They should rest assured that routine and non-urgent work will only take place if they are comfortable with this..”