Housing Estate Services
Communal Areas and Estate Services
We take pride in maintaining the appearance of all our estates and we expect our tenants and leaseholders to do the same. You can help by letting us know when problems exist. The information given below lets you know what service to expect from the Council on its estates. As a Council tenant or leaseholder, you and members of your household are responsible for using and keeping communal areas in a reasonable manner.
The Estate Services Team are made up of 5 Estate services Operatives, a Senior Operative and a Team Leader. Together they are tasked with looking after 259 blocks and 4 sheltered housing schemes across the district.
If you have any concerns about the caretaking service you can contact the Estate Services Team Leader to discuss them via Andrew.Ilott@stalbans.gov.uk.
Lobbies, Landings and Stairwells
These areas are to be used for access and egress only. These areas should be kept clear at all times and not used for storage of any items or decorations.
Block Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning
All blocks will receive a weekly clean from our Estate Services Team. Cobwebs are removed, window sills and handrails are wiped down and floors are swept and mopped. The team will also complete a litter pick to the estate.
Repairs and Maintenance
Lighting and repair issues are checked weekly by our Estate Services Team and a monthly test on the emergency lighting is carried out and recorded. Residents are also able to report repairs to communal areas:
- Via telephone by calling 01727 819256 .
- Via Email by contacting our contractors directly
Gas or central heating repairs GasAndHeatingRepairs@stalbans.gov.uk
All other housing repairs stalbansrepairs@morgansindall.com
Car Parks
Some of our estates have car parks provided. Cars parked here should be in a roadworthy condition, taxed and have a valid MOT. Any cars that do not meet these criteria or are suspected to be abandoned will risk being removed and destroyed.
If you notice that a car may be abandoned please contact the Neighbourhood Management Team
Grounds Maintenance
St Albans City and District Council is working in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, Harpenden Town Council, Sandridge Parish Council and John O'Conner (Grounds Maintenance) Ltd to provide grounds maintenance services across the City and District of St Albans.
For more information about these services please visit the ground maintenance section of our website.
Check what we maintain in your area Contact Us or Report a Problem
Grass cutting Toggle accordion
Grass in communal areas should receive 16 cuts a year between March and October, depending on the weather. These cuts should be approximately 2 weeks apart and all areas should be litter picked before cutting begins. Grass cuttings are not collected but all paths should be left clear of grass following the cut.
Paths and hardsurfaces Toggle accordion
Paths, car parks and washing line areas should be swept clear once a month.
Shrub beds Toggle accordion
All shrub beds should be visited once a month. Shrub beds teams will litter pick the area and maintain the shrubs.
Hedges Toggle accordion
Hedges will be trimmed or cut back four times a year.
Leaf clearance Toggle accordion
There will be two full leaf clearances between November and January, after this leaves will be picked up as litter on an ad hoc basis.
Assisted garden maintenance Toggle accordion
We understand that some tenants may have difficulty with mobility, and we want to do what we can to help. The Council has an Assisted Garden Maintenance Scheme which is available to some tenants who are not able to maintain their gardens themselves.
For more information about these services please visit the garden maintenance scheme section of our website.
Fire safety policy
The purpose of this policy is to give information about our roles and responsibilities with regard Fire Safety.
