This information is designed to highlight some examples of likely repairs and is not intended as an exhaustive list. Please note that Blenheim Estate is not financially liable if the response times are not achieved. We will do our best to work towards them, but they are a guideline only.
In certain circumstances, additional works might be required that have a timescale dependent on available resources. Should you require an update on any repair please contact the property department at the Estate Office.
This document is intended as a guide for maintenance response and we ask all tenants to check their lease regarding maintenance responsibilities before contacting the Estate Office to avoid unnecessary delays or charges.
- How long will I have to wait for a maintenance to be resolved?
- What to do in case of an emergency?
- What should I do if there are problems or repairs needed?
- Emergency repairs
- Urgent repairs
- Routine repairs
- Locked out
How long will I have to wait for a maintenance to be resolved?
We have put together the following standards for our responsive repairs service.
- Emergency Repairs - Initial contact within 4 hours with the repairs to be completed within 2 working days.
- Urgent Repairs - Completed within 5 working days.
- Routine Repairs - Completed within 15 working days.
In most cases the repair will be completed before the end date, however, if this is not achievable you will be notified of the revised date and the reasons for a delay. Should you require an update on any repairs, please do not hesitate to contact the property department at the Estate Office.
A member of the maintenance team will contact you within 48 hours to advise you of an engineer’s visit.
What to do in case of an emergency?
In the event of an emergency please phone the estate office on 01993 810500 to report the repair (Open Monday - Friday 9.00 - 17.00). If you are unable to get through to the Estate Office, please refer to your Welcome Pack for information on who to contact. The maintenance department who will be in contact with you to arrange access for a contractor to attend the property.
If the emergency is out of hours (Monday - Saturday, 17.30 - 08.30, all day Sunday) then we do have an emergency contact list included in your Welcome Pack. Please note that we may charge you if you call the out-of-hours emergency repair services without good reason.
What should I do if there are problems or repairs needed?
Hopefully, problems in your home will be few and far between but any maintenance matters and requests that do arise must be reported via the Estate Office, so that they can be logged and recorded. Unless the matter is urgent we ask that all repairs are reported via email.
The Estate Office will pass the repair details on to the maintenance department who will be in contact with you to arrange access for a contractor to visit the property and complete the work.
If none of the above contacts are available, please contact Paul Loakes (Monday - Friday), but please make sure that you still register the request with the Estate Office by emailing: repairs@blenheimestate.com
If the repair is an emergency and is out of hours (Monday to Saturday between 17.30 and 08.30, or on a Sunday) then we do have an emergency contact list. Please note that we may charge you if you call the out-of-hours emergency repair services without a good reason.
| Electrical Faults, Paul Shirley |
07973 191943 |
| Plumbing and Heating Gas Tech | 01295 275662 |
| Gas Tech Emergency Mobile (24 Hour Call Out) | 07880 747200 |
| British Gas Emergency Number (For Gas Leaks) | 0800 111999 |
| Scottish & Southern Electricity Number Emergency Number | 0800 727282 |
| Blocked Drains, Oxfordshire Drain Services LTD | 01235 411657 |
| Over Flowed Septic Tanks, Deddington Liquid Waste | 01327 260905 |
| Plumbing, Flowingwell Plumbing | 07977 133602 |
| Roof & Guttering, Bob Day | 07885 474384 |
Emergency repairs
See below for the maximum time that you should wait before a repair is carried out. In most cases, the repair will be completed before the end date, if this is not achievable you will be notified of the revised target date and the reasons for delay. If you report a repair and do not hear from us or our contractor, please call the Estate Office. Telephone: 01993 810500 E-mail: estate@blenheimpalace.com Open Monday to Friday 09.00 - 17.00, excluding Bank Holidays.
- Emergency Repairs - Initial contact within 4 hours with the repairs to be completed within 2 working days.
- A member of the maintenance team will contact you within 48 hours to advise you of an engineer’s visit.
Emergency repairs may include:
- A water pipe leak causing serious damage
- A blockage where raw sewage is overflowing into a home or garden
- Electrical faults where there is a danger of fire or injury
- Blocked toilet which cannot be used (if there is only one toilet in the property)
- No electricity or water supply
- A heating system that has broken down in winter
- A severe leak through the roof
- An uncontrolled gas leak - if you smell gas you should immediately telephone National Grid (formerly Transco). Their number is 0800 111999 and they will deal with any report of a gas escape free of charge
Urgent repairs
Urgent Repairs to be completed within 5 working days.
Urgent repairs may include:
- Plumbing leaks or defects
- Unblocking a kitchen sink, bath or hand basin
- Checking the electrics after a water leak
- Repairing a heating system
- Some electrical faults
- Roof leaks (if causing damage to the property)
- Repairs to external door mechanisms/locks
Routine repairs
Routine Repairs to be completed within 15 working days.
Routine repairs may include:
- Repairing electrical sockets
- Repairing rotten timber flooring, stair treads or broken bannister rail
- Repairs to internal doors, locks and handles
- Repairs to kitchen fittings
- Dripping or leaking taps/shower head
- Repairs to external walls and fences
- Repairs to walls, brickwork, slate or tiles
Locked out
Lockouts are not considered an emergency. During opening hours, Blenheim Estate may be able to lend you with a set of keys if we hold them. Otherwise, in the evening you may have to make alternative arrangements to stay elsewhere for the night or call an emergency locksmith. You will have to pay for this service. If the lock has to be replaced, you must make sure the property department are informed and given a set of the new keys within 24 hours.