Woking Repairs Service - general advice

I can smell gas, what should I do?

If you smell gas, immediately phone TRANSCO on 0800 111 999.

Do I need permission to carry out alterations to my home?

You can carry out alterations or improvements to your home as long as you have:

  • written to Tenant and Leaseholder Services with full details of your proposals

  • obtained written permission from us

  • obtained any planning permission or building regulations approval where necessary before you start any work.

Typical alterations that need landlord approval include:

  • erecting a shed

  • new light fittings

  • fitting a new kitchen

  • laying laminated flooring

  • fitting a new fire.

The landlord's permission letter we send you will contain any conditions we feel are necessary. A Housing Surveyor will visit you to inspect the work when it is completed. Once you have made an alteration you will be responsible for its future repair.

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I am going away for a few months, is there anything I can do to prevent damage to my home whilst I am away?

If you intend to be away for a long period of time (for example three months or more), you should let Tenant and Leaseholder Services know. You should leave them an emergency telephone number or address.

You will also need to drain down the main water storage tank and turn off the mains water supply at the stop valve to avoid any problems with overflow or flooding - especially in the winter months.

It is a good idea to regularly turn the stop valves off and on to prevent them seizing up.

Please check your household insurance before departing, as certain policies do not cover against burst pipes if you have not taken precautions to prevent any damage. Some policies do not provide cover if you leave your home for long periods.

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What should I do if I have concerns about the electrical wiring in my home?

As part of the Council's planned maintenance programme, the electrical wiring to every property is checked periodically on a Borough-wide contract.

However, if you have any doubts about your electrical wiring, socket outlets or switches, phone the Woking Repairs Service on 0800 5215555.

If you have a trip switch that keeps tripping then there is a strong possibility that you have a faulty appliance, to identitfy the problem, unplug all your appliances, turn the trip switches on, you then need  to plug them back in one at a time until the switch trips, the last appliance is at fault, as you are solely reponsible for appliances Woking Repairs Service may recharge you if you have not attempted to find the problem.

Repairs or alterations to electrical installations should only be carried out by a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to Do-It-Yourself. It can be extremely dangerous.

It is your responsibility to replace all light bulbs, including fluorescent tubes and starters.

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Who should maintain my smoke detector?

As a safety initiative, mains wired smoke detectors have been fitted to all properties. Quadron check these as part of the annual gas service visit. All smoke and heat detectors contain a batteryas a backup in case of a power cut .When the battery requires replpacement the detector will bleep every couple of minutes.

The tenants are responsible for changing the battery, which is a 9v square type located either in a small draw at the side of the detector, or with in the detector which slides or twists off the ceiling.

You should test battery smoke detectors weekly and fit new batteries at least once a year. If you detector bleeps intermittently, it needs a new battery.

Please contact Woking Repairs Service if your detector develops a fault, and we will arrange to test and replace it, if required, free of charge.

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Contact us

You can contact us in any of the following ways:

  • call the Woking Repairs Service on 0800 521555

  • write to the Woking Repairs Service at:
    Unit 14a
    Monument Way East
    Woking
    Surrey
    GU21 5LY

  • email: WokingRepairsService@woking.gov.uk