Welcome to the EFIG Support Hub. This page is designed to help you quickly find the right place to report issues, raise concerns, or request support in your area.
Whether it’s fly-tipping, flooding, missed bin collections, or planning breaches, you’ll find clear guidance and direct links to the relevant services. Every report you make helps improve the quality, safety, and cleanliness of our community.
Simply select a topic from the dropdown list to get started. If you’re unsure where to turn, this hub is a great first step to getting the support or result you need.
Epping Forest District Council removes dead animals only from public roads and streets. Large animals, such as deer obstructing traffic, may be treated as emergencies. The Council does not remove animals from private land, rivers, or watercourses.
To report a dead animal on a public road:
Report online via the EFDC website
For animals in rivers or streams:Call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506
If you find a dead deer in Epping Forest, report it directly to the Forest Keepers. They are responsible for managing wildlife and ensuring the area remains safe and accessible for all visitors.
If the situation poses a danger to the public, also contact the police or ambulance service as appropriate.
To report a dead deer in Epping Forest:
To report an overflowing litter or dog waste bin via the Epping Forest District Council website you will need:
Your name, address and contact details.
Location of the bin.
Bin number.
Photos or evidence of the problem if you have it.
For issues with grass verges and trees, weed spraying, litter, dog fouling on pavements or public land report it online.
For debris from traffic accidents, spillages or highways related emergencies, call 01992 564 000.
For all Council Tax matters, including payments, discounts, exemptions, and support, contact Epping Forest District Council. You can manage your account, report a change of address, apply for Local Council Tax Support, request Exceptional Hardship Payments, or notify the Council of an empty property online. If you suspect Council Tax fraud, report it confidentially.
How to report fraud:
Call: 01992 564444
Email: [email protected]
Post:
Corporate Fraud
Epping Forest District Council Civic Offices
High Street, Epping CM16 4BZ
(Mark as private and confidential)
Essex Police rely on intelligence-led policing, so your reports make a real difference. If you witness a crime or see anything suspicious, report it straight away.
Your information could help prevent further incidents and protect others in the community. Always ask for and keep the Incident Number you are given.
If you can, record details such as:
How to report:
Emergencies:
Urgent: Call 999
Non-urgent: Call 101 or report online
Stay anonymous: Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use Live Chat in the bottom right corner of the their page (7am to 11pm)
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch to stay involved. Every report helps keep our area safe.
To report issues with trees or hedges on Council land, please contact Epping Forest District Council.
You can report online by selecting ‘Maintenance of Trees, Verges, Hedges, Playgrounds’ on the Council’s website, or call 01992 564000.
If a vehicle is blocking your driveway, try speaking politely to the driver first. If you're unable to get your vehicle in or out, take the following steps depending on the situation:
If there are parking restrictions on the road:
Contact North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) by calling 01206 282316 or emailing [email protected]. NEPP can issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if over 50% of the vehicle blocks the driveway. However, please note they cannot remove the vehicle.
If there are no parking restrictions:Contact Essex Police - this is a wilful obstruction of the public highway. Use Live Chat (7am - 11pm) at the Essex Police website. Or call 101 / 01245 491491.
Empty properties can attract vandalism, anti-social behaviour, and reduce the overall appeal of a neighbourhood. If you know of an empty home in your area, report it so Epping Forest District Council can investigate and, where possible, bring it back into use.
Returning empty properties to occupation supports housing needs and improves community wellbeing.
To report an empty property:
Call: 01992 564348
Email: [email protected]
All reports are reviewed by the Council's Empty Property Officer.
You can report an unauthorised encampment using Epping Forest District Council’s online form or by calling 01992 564000. The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) team will assess the situation.
You can also report it to Essex Police online (24 hours) or via Live Chat (in the bottom right corner of the page; 7am-11pm), or call 101 or 01245 491491.
Once reported, the Council will visit the site, record the details, and assess the appropriate action. If Police attend, they will also consider whether they can use their powers.
If the encampment is on private land, Epping Forest District Council will liaise with the landowner and the Police. Private landowners may pursue court action or use bailiffs to remove trespassers. If the land belongs to the occupants, the matter may be referred to Planning Enforcement.
Epping Forest District Council also maintains a public register of licensed Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites, along with the standard licence conditions.
To report flooding, contact Epping Forest District Council. If the flooding affects your home, call 01992 564000 and an operator will respond. Please note the District Council is not an emergency service.
Depending on the source of flooding, report to the relevant authority:
Raised manhole cover:
Road gulley or storm drain:
Life-threatening emergencies:
To assess whether your area is at risk:
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and a serious environmental crime. It blights communities, harms wildlife, and costs local authorities thousands to clear up. Epping Forest District Council does not remove waste from private land, but please still report incidents so they can investigate and take enforcement action.
If possible, note the exact location using the What3Words site.
To report fly-tipping:
Call 01992 564608 (office hours)
Call 01992 564000 (out of hours)
If you witness it:
Do not approach the offenders
Do not touch the waste
Call 999 if a crime is in progress or someone is in danger
Call Essex Police if the offenders are still on site
Your report can help identify those responsible and keep our district clean and safe.
If you spot fly-tipping on Forest or Buffer Land within Epping Forest, report it directly to the Forest Keepers. They manage and protect these areas, and rely on public reports to take swift action.
If possible, note the exact location using the What3Words site.
Avoid approaching the site or touching any waste, as it may be hazardous.
To report fly-tipping in Epping Forest:
Call: 020 8532 1010 (24/7 phoneline)
Email: [email protected]
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence. If you see it in progress, call 999 immediately.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigates Housing Benefit fraud. You can report suspected fraud online through the official DWP website.
Alternatively, contact the National Benefit Fraud Hotline:
Call: 0800 854 440
Post:
National Benefit Fraud Hotline
Mail Handling Site A,
Wolverhampton, WV98 2BP
(Mark as private and confidential)
All reports are treated confidentially to protect your privacy.
Action Fraud is the UK’s national centre for reporting fraud and cyber crime. If you’ve been scammed or affected by cyber crime, you can report it to Action Fraud anytime, day or night.
Use their secure online reporting tool, which guides you through the process. Web chat support is also available 24/7 for advice.
You can also call 0300 123 2040 for help or to report fraud.
Action Fraud provides information on many fraud types, including pensions, banking, business, charities, investments, insurance, cyber crime, telecoms, and advance fee scams.
You can request graffiti removal from council property online or by calling 01992 564000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The Council removes graffiti only from its own property.
If the graffiti is offensive—such as hate speech, explicit imagery, or racist, religious, or political slurs—Epping Forest District Council will work with property owners to have it removed quickly.
To report graffiti on council property:
Graffiti on private or other non-council property
Graffiti on private property is the owner’s responsibility. Report defacement to Essex Police as criminal damage or anti-social behaviour.
For removal costs, contact your insurer.
For graffiti on road signs, bollards, bridges, or libraries, contact Essex County Council:
Call: 0345 743 0430
Email: [email protected]
For damaged, broken, or faulty bus stops, please report to Essex County Council by reporting it online via Essex Highways or call 0345 603 7631.
Everyday noise is normal, but some sounds - like loud music, barking dogs, or ongoing building works - can become a nuisance. If possible, speak to the person responsible first, as they may not realise they're causing a disturbance.
If the problem continues, you can report it to EFDC online or by calling 01992 564000. A noise diary must be submitted with your complaint.
Epping Forest District Council investigates ongoing issues such as loud music, party noise, animal noise, and builder activity outside permitted hours. Epping Forest District Council does not investigate one-off events, normal living noise, DIY during daytime hours, or aircraft noise.
For aircraft noise, contact the airfield or North Weald Airfield Operations at 01992 564200 or [email protected].
Traffic noise should be reported to Essex County Council.
There are 24 Parish and Town Councils across Epping Forest District. These councils are responsible for many local services that directly affect daily life.
They manage and maintain facilities such as markets, allotments, play areas, public toilets, cemeteries, and community halls. They also have an advisory role in local planning applications, representing residents' views to the District Council.
You can contact your local council directly by email:
Abbess, Beauchamp and Berners Roding Parish Council - [email protected]
Moreton, Bobbingworth, and the Lavers Parish Council - [email protected]
You can comment on a planning application if it may affect your property, neighbourhood, or the wider community. Your views can influence decisions and help ensure developments are suitable, sustainable, and in keeping with the area.
How to comment:
Email: [email protected]
Post:
Development Control
Epping Forest District Council Civic Offices
High Street, Epping CM16 4BZ
Make sure to include the planning reference number and submit your comments before the consultation deadline. All submissions may be published as part of the public record.
If you believe building work has taken place without planning permission, you can report it to the Council and it will investigate. Reports can be made online via the Epping Forest District Council website.
The Planning Enforcement Team checks that developments follow approved plans, investigates public complaints, and takes action where necessary. It aims to resolve breaches through advice and negotiation where possible but will take formal action when needed.
Your complaint will be treated in confidence and prioritised based on seriousness. You will be kept informed throughout the process.
Epping Forest District Council does not deal with issues such as land ownership, party wall disputes, or problems with roads and footpaths - please contact the appropriate authority for those. Noise and anti-social behaviour complaints should be reported separately.
For problems like potholes, blocked drains, or broken streetlights report them to Essex Highways online or call 0345 603 7631.
For issues on the A12, A120 (M11 to Harwich), M11, and M25, contact National Highways by reporting them:
Online: Emailing [email protected]
Call: 0300 123 5000.
Not sure who’s responsible for a road? Use the Essex Highways Map Tool.
Qualis is a company owned by Epping Forest District Council, working across the district to build new homes and commercial buildings, and manage homes and grounds.
You can contact the Qualis team for support with your needs if you live in a Qualis-maintained property.
Qualis Group is based at 323 High Street, Epping, CM16 4BZ, and Qualis Property Solutions is at 180 Oakwood Hill, Loughton, IG10 3FQ.
For housing repairs and grounds maintenance:
Contact Qualis Property Solutions on 0333 230 0464
Or contact your District Councillor who will be able to deal with the issue swiftly.
For development enquiries including Cottis Yard car park:
New homes enquiries go to Qualis Homes at 01992 939 060.
For all other enquiries, call Qualis Group on 0333 230 0460.
Email contacts include:
General: [email protected]
Qualis Commercial: [email protected]
Qualis Property Solutions: [email protected]
New homes: [email protected]
Media: [email protected]
Data protection: [email protected]
Whistleblowing: [email protected]
Essex County Council is responsible for maintaining and fixing damaged, dirty, or broken benches and public seats on public land. To report one, do so via its website.
For broken, damaged, or dirty street signs, report them online (Select 'Request new or replacement street signs'), or call 01992 564 000.
Many trees are protected, and you may need permission before carrying out any pruning or removal. Trees can be protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), a Conservation Area, or planning conditions.
A TPO protects all parts of a live tree, including its roots. It prohibits cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage, or destruction. Some works, like removing dead wood or making dangerous trees safe, may be exempt.
Before doing any tree work, contact Epping Forest District Council to check if permission is needed. If urgent work is required, your tree surgeon should take dated photos and liaise with EFDC in advance.
To check if a tree is protected:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 01992 564000
Write to:
Trees and Landscape
Epping Forest District Council Civic Offices,
High Street, Epping CM16 4BZ.
Abandoning a vehicle is a criminal offence and may lead to a £2,500 fine or up to 3 months in prison. Report a vehicle if it has not moved for over two weeks, is on public or council-owned land, and the owner is unknown. Look for signs like flat tyres, missing parts, visible damage, or broken windows. Report to Epping Forest District Council (if not dangerous):
Call 01992 564608 (office hours)
Call 01992 564000 (out of hours)
If dangerous, contact Essex Police:
Use Live Chat in the bottom right corner of their website (7am to 11pm)
If your bin wasn’t emptied, you can report a missed collection - but please check the following first:
Make sure you put your bin out by 6:30am on your collection day and that it's placed at the edge of your property next to the public highway, unless you receive an assisted collection service.
Also, ensure your bin is not contaminated and contains the correct type of waste.
You can only report a missed collection within 2 working days of your scheduled collection. If you’re unsure of your collection day or what goes in each bin, please check online before reporting.
If you need to order, replace, or repair a bin or caddy, you can apply online.
Please note that bins are stored outdoors and may have some marks or dirt when delivered. The standard household bin is 180 litres, and Epping Forest District Council do not provide second green-lidded bins for excess garden waste.
You can check local disposal options for extra garden waste.
Epping Forest District Council provides:
A black bin for non-recyclable waste.
A green-lidded bin for food and garden waste.
A blue-lidded bin for recycling (replacing blue boxes and sacks).
A kitchen caddy (for new properties only).
A kerbside caddy for food waste.
If your bin is damaged through normal use, Epping Forest District Council can repair it at no cost - this includes fixes to lids, wheels, axles, or pins. If it’s beyond repair, there may be a charge for a replacement.
Landlords, developers, and managing agents can also use the online form to request or replace bins.
Thames Water provides updates on their website and sometimes on X (formerly Twitter), although the latter may not always be current.
You can report issues online or by calling 0800 316 9800. If the situation is urgent, let them know and request bottled water if needed.
To report faded or missing yellow lines, please fill out the online form on the Essex County Council website.