Coronavirus and housing services

Housing update

All Housing offices are now open to the public, however some of our staff continue to work from home.

Many of our tenants and applicants have been contacting us by phone or by e-mail during the pandemic and wish to continue to do so. If you wish a face-to-face appointment you can contact your Community Housing Officer or Housing Options Officer and they will be happy to arrange an appointment with you. We have introduced a new online service called 'Near Me' where you can speak to council staff using your phone or laptop. Council staff will be happy to give you information and advice regarding this. 

Rent arrears

If you are struggling to pay your rent, council tenants can call a dedicated helpline on 01620 827528 or email rentincome@eastlothian.gov.uk.  

COVID-19 safety measures

Watch our video about the steps we are taking to keep you and our staff safe. With thanks to Employers in Voluntary Housing (EVH).

Review of Housing Applications

Due to the current Coronavirus situation, we have decided to contact housing applicants who are due to have their yearly housing application review via telephone rather than posting out the usual review packs.   The staff in Review Team will ask you if there are any changes that you would like made to your areas of choice or house types and if there have been any changes in your circumstances in the last year.   You will receive a confirmation letter after your application has been reviewed. 

Home Energy Scotland

Home Energy Scotland is offering advice to individuals who may be struggling to pay for energy bills during coronavirus outbreak.

Property maintenance 

Council tenants should continue to report repairs in the normal way using East Lothian Council's Repair Line on 01875 824311. For repairs inside occupied properties, we will continue to follow strict hygiene and physical distancing guidelines. We kindly request tenants to assist in this by following all instructions provided by work schedulers when making the appointment and our operatives when on site. Our call handlers will continue to screen tenants for Covid-19. Where any tenant is self-isolating, we will only conduct essential emergency works with strict protection measures in place.

We continue to carry out external routine repairs and planned maintenance such as roof repairs, external paint work and colourwash. With all external work, staff will also follow strict hygiene and physical distancing guidelines.

We also continue carrying out repairs and maintenance in empty properties so that we can re-let them to new tenants - again carefully following Scottish Government guidance.

Travelling community information

A Facebook page has been set up for the Gypsy/Traveller community with information about COVID-19.  A framework is also available to support Gyspy/Traveller communities. 

We appreciate your understanding at this time.

Information on our housing services and local housing offices is available online.