Reporting common problems

Living in any community means dealing with occasional hiccups – from missed bin collections to road maintenance. However, knowing exactly who is responsible for what can be a battle! Whether it’s a council matter or a police concern, this guide aims to signpost you to the right resources for ten of the most common issues facing residents today.

The common thread throughout this article is that the earlier you report something, the sooner it will get fixed.
Sometimes you may need to be persistent and report problems several times.

1. Missed Bin Collections and Waste Issues

It is a common frustration: you put your bins out on time, but the lorry never arrives. Most waste management issues are handled at the local authority level.

• Who to contact: City of Edinburgh Council

• What you can do: Report missed collections online within 24 hours. You can also use council portals to request new bins or report overflowing communal bins.

Quick Links: Report a missed bin / Report an overflowing communal bin / Request a collection of bulky items

2. Potholes and Road Damages

Potholes can be very dangerous for cyclists and hugely damaging to cars. There are many around our villages, but the only way to get rid of them is to constantly and regularly report them – and to get your neighbours to do the same!

• Who to contact: City of Edinburgh Council

• What you can do: Report a road problem using the Edinburgh Council website. Report a Road Fault” page. Be as specific as you can, providing a precise location (using Google Maps or What3Words) and include photos if it is safe to take some.

• How road damage is assessed: The council usually dispatches someone to the location of road damage, and they then categorise the issue from 1 to 5.
  • Category 1 are the most critical of issues, usually repaired within 24 hours.
  • Category 2 are considered high risk, repaired within five working days.
  • Category 3 are medium risk, and can take up to 60 working days for a repair during busy periods.
  • Category 4 are low risk, with no specific timescale for repair. You need to continually report them if you think the condition of the pothole is deteriorating over time.
  • Category 5 is an assessment that there is no risk, so no action is deemed necessary.

3. Antisocial Behaviour (ASB)

This includes excessive noise, rowdy behaviour in the street, or intimidation.

If there is ever a threat to life, call 999 immediately.

• Who to contact: If there is no immediate threat to life, you can contact Edinburgh Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Team. You can also report harassment through the Police Scotland website.

• What you can do: Keep a diary of incidents, ideally capturing video or audio if possible – and if it won’t further escalate the situation or put you in danger.

4. Street Lighting Faults

Dark streets can contribute to a feeling of insecurity and increase the risk of trips and falls.

• Who to contact: Edinburgh Council.

• What you can do: Report a street light issue via the Edinburgh Council website. Faults include missing panels or doors, exposed wiring, hanging light covers, a burning or smoking light, lamp posts damaged by a road traffic accident, or anything liable to cause harm or damage to a person or property. The council will attend a problem more quickly if the problem is an emergency, a threat to safety, or more than five consecutive lights are dark in one area.

5. Fly-Tipping and Littering

Illegal dumping of waste is a blight on our green spaces and urban areas.

• Who to contact: Edinburgh Council.

• What you can do: Report litter or fly-tipping via the council’s website. Report large-scale illegal dumping via the Dumb Dumpers website managed by Zero Waste Scotland.

6. Dog Fouling

There’s nothing worse than stepping in dog poo! But did you know that failure to pick up after a pet is an offence that carries a fixed penalty notice?

• Who to contact: Edinburgh Council.

• What you can do: Report via the council website. Provide details of the location and, if known, the time of day the fouling usually occurs.

7. Graffiti and Vandalism

Damage to public places, including graffiti and vandalism, can make a neighbourhood feel unsafe and encourage further neglect. Like many other things in this list, the quicker it’s reported, the quicker it will be fixed.

• Who to contact: For public property, Edinburgh Council. For private property, Police Scotland to report a crime if your home has been targeted.

• What you can do: Report these issues immediately, providing imagery or videos if possible. If the language is offensive make sure to include this, as it is likely to be prioritised for removal.

8. Non-Emergency Crime (Theft, Scams)

If you’ve discovered a theft that has already happened or have been targeted by a “doorstep” scammer.

• Who to contact: Police Scotland (or call 101).

• What you can do: Report non-emergency crimes via the Police Scotland online reporting form. Always call 999 in an emergency.

9. Dangerous Buildings or Structures

This includes loose masonry, falling slates, or walls that look like they might collapse. Dangers can also include gas leaks, water leaks, or drainage issues.

• Who to contact: Edinburgh Council.

• What you can do: If a building poses an immediate risk to the public, the council can sometimes use emergency powers to secure the area and bill the owners later.

10. Planning Breaches

If you notice a neighbour building an extension or a business starting up without the necessary permissions.

• Who to contact: Edinburgh Council.

• What you can do: Check the Scottish Planning Register first to see if an application was granted. If not, submit a formal enforcement inquiry via the council website.

Quick Reference Table