Maintenance
The content on this page applies to the Department of Infrastructure Public Sector Housing, although the other housing authorities apply similar rules and guidelines. If in doubt, contact your housing authority.
To get the best out of where you live and to keep the property in good order, we have a few essential tips on the care and maintenance of your home, as well as explaining the Department’s part in the process.
Planned housing maintenance
A new Planned Maintenance Programme for 2010 to 2013 has been developed and can be downloaded from the top right side of this page. The programme shows the scheduled and, in some cases, already completed works to the Department’s public sector houses in that time period. It will also show the approximate times of these works and will help you identify whether your home is scheduled for maintenance.
The Q in the list below and in the downloadable programme stands for quarter. These quarters are divided as follows:
Q1 - January to March
Q2 - April to June
Q3 - July to September
Q4 - October to December
However, the scheduled times may be subject to change.
The type of planned maintenance listed in the downloadable programme is varied and the area to be improved is stated on the right hand side of the table along with the name of the estate involved. The red sections indicate what will be affected and may contain house numbers if maintenance is limited to a few houses within an estate. This is for planned maintenance only. For responsive maintenance and to report a repair see our repairs page.
Keeping your home free from damp and mould
If your home is damp, it can cause mould on walls and furniture and make window frames rot. Damp housing encourages the growth of mould and mites and can increase the risk of respiratory illness. Some damp is caused by condensation, which is the most common cause of mould. Eliminating condensation can help your home be free of damp and mould it causes.
Responsibility for taking care of your garden
You are responsible for making sure that your garden is kept neat and tidy. If you cannot do this because you are elderly or have a disability, we may be able to help you. If you fail to maintain your garden without good reason, we may take legal action against you or do the work and charge the costs to you.
Waste disposal
Your local authority is responsible for collecting household waste. If you have bulky items to dispose of, they may remove them for a small fee. However, fridges and freezers may incur an additional charge for degassing and disposal, depending on where you live.
If you allow waste to build up so that it causes a health hazard, the Department may arrange for its removal and charge you for the cost. If waste or unwanted household items are left in your property at the end of your tenancy, we will also charge you for clearing them.
Recycling
Isle of Man Government has a dedicated recycling section. To learn more about the various recycling opportunities on the Island visit the Isle of Man Recycling website.
Safe disposal of waste to public sewers
Every day, the Island’s sewers and sewage treatment works struggle with items they are not equipped to deal with effectively. They are designed to treat and deal with human waste and toilet paper only. This matters because inconsiderate disposal of sanitary items can cause problems, including flooding your own home or someone else's. It also creates a health hazard in homes and the environment. This means that household waste should be dealt with in the proper fashion.
