Dublin City Council repairs checklist - Full guide to Council vs tenant responsibilities
Dublin City Council has strict rules on who fixes what in a social housing home, and falling into rent arrears could mean they refuse repairs.
If you are a DCC tenant, figuring out whether to call the council or grab a toolkit yourself can sometimes be difficult to determine. But Dublin Live has a breakdown of of exactly what repairs are on you, what the council handles, and the safety laws you must follow.
The council handles major structural jobs to keep their buildings safe, dry, and secure. However, they will only step in if the issue is down to normal wear and tear rather than accidental or deliberate damage.
Big structural jobs include repairing roofs, external walls, and the main floors of your home. DCC looks after external doors and the main structure of your windows, but not glass.
When it comes to the inside of your home, the vast majority of everyday maintenance falls on council tenant’s shoulders. You are fully expected to arrange and pay for these fixes yourself. These include:
You must test and clean your own smoke detectors regularly to keep your household safe. If your alarm is battery-operated rather than mains-wired, changing the battery when it runs low is your job.
All electrical work, other than swapping lightbulbs and fuses, must be done by a qualified electrician. You must send their details, the job description, and a safety certificate to the Housing Maintenance Section.
Under strict HSA regulations, tenants face serious legal responsibilities when hiring contractors for building or maintenance works. If you hire someone to do work, you are legally required to ensure they are fully competent.
Failing to comply with these health and safety regulations is a direct breach of your DCC tenancy agreement. It could result in the council terminating your tenancy or taking legal action to recover financial losses.
You are completely responsible for fixing any deliberate or malicious damage done to your property. This means DCC will not pay to fix doors, windows, or fixtures damaged during a burglary or break-in.
Many older council properties contain asbestos, which was widely used in insulation and building materials until the mid-1980s. This poses absolutely zero health risk unless it is disturbed, so never drill or sand any suspect surfaces.
You cannot call up for a routine repair if you have fallen behind on your weekly payments. If your rent account is in arrears , DCC will refuse to do any work unless it is a genuine emergency.
The council may make a rare exception to this rule if it is physically impossible for you to do the work. If you think you qualify for extra help, you should contact your local Area Office immediately.
The council groups all maintenance requests into three tiers depending on how dangerous the situation is. They aim to respond to your logged issues using these strict guidelines:
Repairs are carried out by pre-arranged appointments so you know exactly when workers are arriving. If you miss your slot or need to change it, call 01 222 2191 or 01 222 2222 to reschedule.
When workers arrive, you must have all furniture and carpets cleared away from the workspace beforehand. If council staff have to move your belongings, they accept zero responsibility for any accidental damage.
There must be an adult over 18 present if children are in the house while repairs are underway. You must also give authorised DCC staff reasonable access to your home from time to time for official property inspections.
Vacant council homes can quickly become major targets for anti-social behaviour and vandalism in your estate. Do not assume the council already knows a property on your street has been left empty and let them know.
If you suspect a home is vacant or see people messing with it, report it to your Area Office immediately. Getting the word to DCC quickly helps keep the neighbourhood safe and gets the home re-let to someone in need.
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