1. Keeping your home safe
How you can help us keep your home safe
You play a really important role in helping us keep your home and shared areas safe for families, visitors, and neighbours.
You can help us help you by:
- Keeping your appointments - If we have arranged an appointment with you, please ensure you are available to keep it. If your circumstances change, let us know as soon as possible and we will be happy to arrange a new date with you.
- Allowing us reasonable access to your home so we can check its condition and carry out any necessary repairs, services, inspections or safety work
- Always check the identity of anyone you allow into your home. All Exeter City Council officers and contractors carry official photo ID cards. If you are unsure or concerned, ask to see their ID. If they cannot provide it, or if you feel uncomfortable, do not allow them access. Contact us to confirm the visit — genuine callers will always be happy to wait while you check.
- Prepare for our visit by ensuring our staff and contractors can safely access the equipment they need to inspect or work on. Where possible, we will explain what access is required before we arrive
- Ensure that a responsible adult is present if children or young people are in the property, as we cannot work in homes where children are unsupervised
- Keep communal areas clear of items such as bicycles, scooters, pushchairs and other furniture/belongings as these can obstruct escape routes in the event of a fire
- Regularly test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and let us know immediately if any are not working. We will arrange a replacement as soon as possible
- Tell us immediately if you are concerned, know of or suspect something is unsafe, faulty or broken in your home or block that could cause you, your family, neighbours or anyone else a safety issue. We will always act to repair or correct the issue as soon as possible
- Support us in carrying out additional safety checks. While they may not always seem important at the time, they could save lives
- Read the safety information we provide for residents. If you are unsure about anything, visit our website or contact us for advice
- Ensure your visitors treat your home and any shared areas responsibly, as you are accountable for their behaviour
- If you are a leaseholder, promptly agree to and carry out any works that are your responsibility under the terms of your lease.
Please remember that your safety is our priority. If we are unable to gain access or if cooperation is withheld, we may, as a last resort, take legal action to ensure essential safety‑related work is completed.
Health and safety is a broad topic covering many areas. You should read through the rest of these sections on safety in the home for more information.