Handy Homes
Do you need a bit of extra help around the house with some everyday DIY jobs?
Our new Handy Homes service gives you the chance to have a trained handyperson visit your home for free to carry out these jobs:
- Hang Pictures / Mirrors
- Fit shelving
- Curtain rails
- Disassemble furniture
- Fit Light bulbs / Lampshades
- Hang curtains
- Fit Shower Curtains / Towel Rails
- Install blinds (no cutting)
- Fit Toilet Seats
- Place items in / out loft
- Move Furniture
- Paint timber gates and fencing
- Removing small rubbish / furniture items*
- Lift old carpets
- Fit hang baskets
- Install bathroom cabinets
- Unblock sinks (u-bends)
- Fit smoke alarms
- Help set heating programmers / timers
- Fitting sink plugs
- Easing stop cocks
Our Handy Homes staff are also trained to offer advice with Energy Saving, Gas Safety, Fire Safety and Electrical Safety.
* please note - we can only remove items of a particular size / type
How do I get an appointment?
You can request a Handy Homes appointment in the same way you would report a repair. You can either:
- Report online - using our Housing Repair Request Form (links to an external site)
- By telephone free of charge on 0800 694 6900
- By SMS text to 0778 620 0802 – HANDY followed by your name, address and a description of your request
- In person at your local housing office
- In writing to your local housing office
- By Typetalk - We welcome calls through Typetalk. Textphone users please prefix our telephone number with 18001
- Concierge - If you live in a multi storey flat you can request a Handy Homes visit through the concierge 24 hours a day from your home using your intercom.
- Tenant Liaison Officer - If you are having Decent Homes work carried out you can request a Handy Homes visit through your TLO.
We will record your appointment in an electronic diary in the same way as we do for repairs appointments. We are currently able to offer AM or PM appointments, Monday to Friday.
FAQs
There’s something I want doing but it’s not on your list – what do I do?
The Handy Homes service is a new initiative and we are developing the service based on your feedback. We will therefore be leaving a satisfaction survey with you after every visit we make. Please tell us what you think about the service and if there are other jobs you would like the service to offer.
What do I need to provide?
We will discuss this with you in more detail when you book your Handy Homes appointment. However, as a rule, our Handy Homes staff will carry consumables such as screws, nails, wall plugs, sealant etc. Our Handy Homes staff will also carry with them the tools necessary to do the job. It is up to you to provide materials, such as shelves, cabinets, curtain rails etc.
How often can I use the service?
You can book a Handy Homes appointment twice a year. An appointment means any job / series of jobs carried out in one visit that does not take longer than 2 hours.
Who carries out the Handy Homes work?
Your Handy Homes appointment will be with one of our two Handy Homes staff. You will be able to identify our staff through their uniform, vehicles and identification all of which will carry the South Tyneside Homes logo. Please be careful – if you are in doubt please ask to see identification and don't allow anyone who you are suspicious of to enter your home.
