If you have no power the first thing to check is whether your neighbours’ houses are dark and the streetlights are out. If so there is probably a general power cut. This may sound obvious, but we do get calls about this!
If there is not a general power cut double check your account has been paid, particularly if you use a pay as you go meter.

Otherwise the chances are something has tripped a breaker switch in your consumer unit (the fuse-board) – these are designed to click off if there is a problem. It could be the item you were switching on or off when the power went off is the cause of the problem.

Breakers can trip if something as small as a light bulb dies. However they can also be a sign of something failing. The problem is usually something plugged in, often which has a timer or starts on its own (like a fridge), or gets hot (like a hairdryer).
It is likely that in addition to the circuit breaker tripping, the main breaker switch in the fuse board may have tripped. If you switch it back on it will stay on if it is safe. If it clicks off there is still a problem. You need to follow these steps to try and identify the cause.

• Switch off all the breakers
• Switch on the main breaker switch. It should stay on.
• Switch on the first breaker switch, leaving it on for a minute or so. If that breaker and the main switch stay on, the problem is not on that circuit
• Repeat this step for each of the other breakers, until you find the breaker covering the circuit with the problem
• If it is a plug socket circuit turn off and unplug everything on that circuit (checking for plugs hidden in cupboards) to check whether the breaker still trips.
• If it does not trip then plug in and switch on each item, one at a time. If it trips when an item is plugged in then that is the item causing the problem. If it is something which belongs to your landlord then we will arrange to get it fixed.
• If the breaker trips when there is nothing plugged in then let us know, we will get it looked at. Please be aware we may need to charge you for the call out if the problem is caused by one of your items connected into the circuit

If this does not work, please use the “Report a repair” button below.

Please be aware, if we arrange a contractor to attend and the problem is due to one of your appliances, you will need to meet the cost of the contractor.

If you have a boiler, please check:

• Does the boiler make a noise like it is running? If so check the radiators are all switched on.
• Turn the thermostat up to full to see if that causes the boiler to kick in.
• Has the boiler controller or switches been changed – make sure they are all on.
• Are there any fault codes on the boiler screen? A quick online search of  this code and the boiler make will give an indication of what is wrong
• Is there fuel?
  a. If you have gas, is it on?
• Double check your account has been paid, particularly if you use a pay as you go meter.
  b. If you have oil, is the tank empty (make sure you use the valve at the bottom of the sight gauge on the side of the tank to show the correct level)
• Does the boiler have a pressure gauge – it should usually be between 1-2. If there is no pressure, the system will need to be re-pressurised.
• Is the condense line frozen? In cold weather the small plastic pipe that takes condensation away from the boiler, usually to outside, can freeze, essentially blocking with ice. Hot water or a hairdryer can fix this easily!
• If your boiler has a reset button, push it.
• Follow the any boiler instructions, to restart the boiler
• Turn the boiler off and on again – it often works!

Are you aware if the Property has a maintenance Policy covering the boiler, such as with British Gas, if so, have you called them?

If these do not work, please use the “Report a repair” button below. We have temporary heaters you can use until the issue is repaired.

If your boiler is working but some or all of your radiators are making gurgling noises, or not getting hot, particularly at the top then they may need bleeding, to reduce any air pockets. There are many online guides to show you how, but you will need a radiator bleeding key (available from our office at no cost or from any hardware shop).

If one radiator is dead when others are warm it could be the valve has stuck. If you have a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), these turn the radiator off when the room reaches the temperature, assuming the boiler is working. Sometimes these stick, particularly after a period of not being used, typically after summer. Often they can be released simply by opening and closing the valve fully a few times. If not, please use the “Report a repair” button below.

If the boiler heats your water, please check if the boiler is working (see no heat above).

Check if you also have an immersion heater (where you have a tank). This can provide hot water until the boiler is fixed.
If your water is heated by the immersion please check the switches are on and there is power.
If these do not work, please use the “Report a repair” button below.

If you have problems with water supply you need to contact your water company, which will be either

Anglian Water 03457 145145 OR Cambridge Water 01223 706050

Mould in a property can be very unpleasant and, if not addressed, a risk to your health.

It is essential to your health you ensure you are on top of the condensation that causes most mould in domestic properties.

For more details see our dedicated web page

If there is a break in then:

Call the police and get a crime reference number

Contact your insurance company

Let us know. We can arrange for any works to be completed by an approved contractor. Usually this will be covered by your insurance.

This is usually due to resident leaving their keys somewhere, or losing them. Sometimes it is because there is a problem with the locks.

Left your keys somewhere?
We have all done this, it happens. Unfortunately if it does, the cost is down to you. If you know where your keys are and we are at the office, you can borrow our keys to get in. If you have a problem out of hours it is usually cheaper to find somewhere to stay until you can get your keys than paying for a locksmith out of hours. If you need a locksmith use the “Report a repair” button below, we usually have someone you may be able to call.

Lost your keys?
If your keys have been lost or stolen then you must let us know so the locks can be replaced by an approved contractor. Sorry, but you will need to meet the cost of replacing the locks and any related keys, ensuring we have a full set.

Broken lock?
If the locks fail please use the “Report a repair” button below so we can get someone out to fix the problem. Unless you have damaged the lock or failed to report the issue quickly the property owner usually meets this cost.

If your drains are blocked we can arrange to get them cleared. However in almost every case they are blocked by things that resident (or their children) have put down the loo or drains, in which case we have to charge the resident for the call out. The problem is often solidified fat or nappies (yuk!).
Please note we have many loos blocked by ‘flushable’ wipes. These wipes do not break down quickly and often accumulate causing a blockage. These should NOT be flushed.
Where you have a blockage we advise your first step is to try to clear the drains yourself using a plunger or drain un-blocker chemicals from the supermarket, this usually does the trick. If not, use the “Report a repair” button below.

Please be aware, if we arrange a contractor to attend and the problem is due to what you have put down the drain,  you will need to meet the cost of the contractor.

If your neighbours also have a drainage problem, the chances are the problem needs reporting to Anglian Water 03457 145145.

Unless the fabric of the building is at fault, allowing the pests to get in, usually pests are a part of nature and therefore the responsibility of the person living in the house, not the property owner.

We can provide you with details of pest control contractors, or your local authority environmental health department may provide the service.

It is important to note that some creepy crawlies are very seasonal, e.g. flying ants emerge from their nests over just a couple of days each summer, and then stop. Most people put ant killer around the hole where they emerge, then vacuum them up when dead. They are a harmless nuisance which will have stopped before you get a pest control contractor to visit.

If in doubt, please use the “Report a repair” button below.

Does any part of the Oven work? If so, the chances are a repair is needed.

If nothing works check it is switched on at the wall – there should be lights on the oven somewhere.

Check the clock is set and the timer is not set – this is usually the problem. The manual can explain how, although most people find it easier to follow the many explanations people have posted on line, which seem available for most oven models, and are often clearer than the manuals!

Otherwise please use the “Report a repair” button below. It would be helpful to let us know the make and model number.

If the appliance is completely dead the first stage is to check it is plugged in and switched on.

Fridges: If the Fridge is not getting cold enough, or freezing, or the door closing, it is usually because it is blocked with ice – it needs defrosting.  There are many guides on line to explain how.

Washing Machines: The main problems are either the filter needs emptying or the jets in the powder drawer are clogged. Check online for your machine to see how to do this.

Dishwasher: The main problem is usually the filter in the bottom needs emptying and cleaning.  Check online for your machine to see how to do this.  If the machine is not getting clean enough, make sure you have topped up the salt and rinse aid. Also try using premium dishwasher tablets, some cheaper tablets are not good enough.

If there is still a problem, and the appliance came with the property, so is not yours, please use the “Report a repair” button below. It would be helpful to let us know the make and model number.