Starting 14 October 2024, we will temporarily pause non-emergency repairs for around three months. The move aims to prioritise preparing 350 vacant homes for occupancy, helping to reduce waiting lists and address the homelessness crisis.
Repairs needing joiners, plumbers, electricians, and plasterers will be paused, but emergency repairs and essential safety work involving other trades will continue.
The Housing Services team will monitor the situation and provide updates in January 2025.
Frequently asked question
Why is Falkirk Council pausing non-emergency repairs?
We are temporarily pausing non-emergency repairs for about three months to focus on preparing around 350 vacant properties for people who need a home. This will help reduce the number of people who are homeless and shorten the waiting list for council housing.
How long will the pause last?
The pause is expected to last for approximately three months, starting from 14 October. The situation will be reviewed in January 2025.
What types of repairs are affected?
The pause affects non-emergency repairs that need certain trades, including:
- Joiners
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Plasterers
These repairs will not be carried out unless it’s an emergency.
What repairs will continue to be done?
We will continue to carry out:
- Emergency repairs
- Repairs involving slaters, bricklayers, painters, glaziers, and gas engineers for important safety work
What counts as an emergency repair?
Emergency repairs are problems that need to be fixed immediately because they could harm people or cause serious damage to the property. These include:
- No heating or hot water
- No electricity or lights
- Flooding or significant water leaks
- Anything that could cause injury or major damage to the home
- Essential repairs like fixing heating systems or changing locks
How can I report an emergency repair?
You can report emergency repairs by calling 01324 506070. Please contact us immediately if you face an emergency repair, and a team will come to help as quickly as possible.
Can I request non-emergency repairs during this time?
No, tenants won’t be able to request non-emergency repairs.
Are there any exceptions for vulnerable tenants (e.g., elderly or disabled)?
While there are no specific exceptions for vulnerable tenants, emergency and health and safety repairs, such as installing handrails for elderly tenants, will still be carried out to ensure tenant safety.
What happens if I have already reported a non-emergency repair?
If you have been contacted with an appointment for your repair this will still go ahead.
Will repairs be carried out as follow-ups to emergency jobs?
Follow-up repairs will be carried out where the emergency repair has not been fully completed.
Will there be additional emergency trades available to handle the expected increase in workload due to urgent jobs not being attended to?
Yes, there will be additional emergency trades available to handle any increase in workload due to the temporary pause of non-emergency repairs for joiners, plumbers, electricians and plasterers.
Can I still request by bathroom or kitchen to be inspected for renewal?
Yes, requests can still be made for your kitchen or bathroom to be inspected for renewal.
Can I still request an inspection if I have concerns about dampness in my property?
Yes, requests can be made for your property to be inspected for dampness.
Will this pause affect my rent?
No, the temporary pause on non-emergency repairs does not entitle tenants to a rent reduction. Rent payments remain the same.
How many vacant properties are being brought back into use?
We aim to prepare around 350 vacant council homes during the three-month period. These homes will be made available to those on the housing waiting list, helping reduce the number of people living in temporary accommodations.
How will prioritising vacant properties help reduce homelessness?
By focusing on empty homes, we can:
- Reduce the number of people living in temporary accommodations, such as Bed & Breakfasts
- Shorten the time that families spend in unsuitable housing
- Speed up the process of moving people into permanent, stable homes
How will I know when non-emergency repairs will start again?
We will provide an update on the situation in January 2025, letting tenants know when non-emergency repairs will start again.
Has Falkirk Council done this before?
Yes, we temporarily paused non-emergency repairs following the weather emergency in December 2022/January 2023. The impact was managed without any long-term damage to the housing stock or significant tenant dissatisfaction.
What happens if the pause is extended?
If the pause needs to be extended beyond the three months, we will review the situation and provide updates. Tenants will be informed of any changes to the timeline.
How will this benefit the community?
This temporary pause will:
- Help reduce homelessness by making more homes available for those in need
- Allow families to move out of temporary accommodation faster
- Decrease the waiting time for people on the housing list
- Save money on temporary accommodation, like Bed & Breakfasts, and reduce rent loss from empty properties