Housing Matters – August 2023
Thursday, 24 August 2023
Read the latest edition of Housing Matters – August 2023.
Welcome to Housing Matters. In this issue, read about:
- what we're doing to tackle damp and mould
- a consultation that's being run by the Regulator of Social Housing, and how to have your say
- being a good pet parent
- our new repairs contractor, Wates
What we're doing to tackle damp and mould
We are taking extra measures to deal with damp and mould and have a dedicated team in place. To learn more about how to report mould in your property, read on.
I have mould in my home
Damp and mould is not acceptable in any home. We have a dedicated team to manage all our reports of damp and mould - from risk assessment, inspections, works to rectify the issue, right through resolution. We work closely with our Private Sector Housing colleagues to tackle damp and mould cases.
So what do I do?
There are three different ways to report damp and mould in your home:
- if you can, the quickest way to report is online. Here, you can upload images of the mould and these will be passed to the specialist damp and mould team
- if you are unable to report online, or don’t have someone who can do it for you, call the repairs team on 0800 074 0263
- if you have a housing officer visiting your home, they can report the issue for you. Just let them know your concerns
What happens then?
We take your report seriously: each case will be rated by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) as either category one - high risk - or category two - low to medium risk.
Our response times will be based on the risk category, with a high-risk case receiving a visit within 24 hours, and a medium risk within two to four weeks. Lower risk mould cases will still be seen, but if you would like an update on your case, contact the repairs team online or contact the repairs line.
I’ve reported before and no one’s listening. The mould has come back
If mould comes back, there may be another issue in your home that we are not aware of. If your mould comes back, or you need to update us as the mould has gotten worse, contact the repairs team online, or if you aren’t able to get online, call 0800 074 0263.
Kate from our taskforce said:
It’s really important for me to make sure anyone who’s experiencing issues with damp and mould gets the best service. Nobody should have damp and mould in their home, and me, my colleagues and our contractors are working together to tackle mould as quickly and efficiently as we can.
To learn more about damp and mould in your home, check our damp and mould webpage.
Take part in Regulator of Social Housing consultation
The Regulator of Social Housing is seeking views on their revised regulatory consumer standards. The consumer standards are what the regulatory body will expect us, as a social landlord, to achieve by providing quality housing, and working with tenants and professionals to build communities.
As social housing tenants this will directly affect you, and as this is a consultation, your opinions will make a difference.
The four draft standards are:
- The Safety and Quality Standard includes quality and safety within the home and communal areas, and services to tenants
- The Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard - easily accessible information about your landlord service, including engagement, complaints, and treating tenants fairly and with respect
- The Neighbourhood and Community Standard - working with other agencies to contribute to the improvement of neighbourhoods
- The Tenancy Standard - tenancy agreements including allocations and the opportunities to move
Following this consultation, the Regulator will consider the responses received before finalising the consumer standards and Code of Practice. These are expected to come into force next April 2024.
Find out more about the consumer standards (GOV.UK website).
The closing date for this is 17 October 2023.
Being a good pet parent
We are a nation of pet lovers, and as a landlord we recognise that. They are companions and good therapy for those who love them. Whether you are a dog, cat or small animal person, we want to make sure that you, your animals and your neighbours are safe and happy.
Please make sure you let us know that you have a pet or will be getting one. We need to know if you have an animal in your home so we can advise staff and contractors who need to visit you (not everyone likes dogs and cats and some people have allergies).
Things to consider before you branch out into pet ownership
Consider the costs
Some animals can be expensive to buy, and ongoing costs include food, worming, flea treatments, microchipping, vaccinations, neutering and insurance.
Consider rehoming
There are unscrupulous breeders out there who will take your money and leave you with a poorly pet and large vet bills. If you have worked out the costs and want to welcome a new pet into your family, consider going to a charity and rehoming. They will microchip and most offer neutering as part of the package. They will also give you good advice on caring for your new friend.
Unfortunately, not everyone loves your pet as you do. To avoid complaints and be a good neighbour and respectful owner:
- always pick up after your dog – most complaints we receive are about dog poo in communal areas and on balconies
- don’t let dogs loose in communal areas – leave them on leads
- if you have a reactive dog, use a recommended muzzle - you don’t want to have to pay another dog's vet fees or worse, another person to be bitten by a dog who misunderstands the situation
- make sure your dog and cat are microchipped and registered to you - if they get lost, you can be reunited more easily
- it is a requirement by law that a dog has a tag with owner contact details – make sure they always have this on their collar when you take them for a walk
- dogs like company and can get distressed when left alone – when alone they can bark, whine or howl. If your dog does this, don’t leave them alone for hours on end, instead consider a doggy day care or ask a family member or friend to look after them when you are away. Continuous barking can be very disturbing and in extreme cases can lead to a fine
- don’t let your cat or dog urinate in communal stairways – the smell spreads quickly, is unhygienic, and is unpleasant for the cleaners who are not there to clean up after your pet
Find out more about caring for a variety of pets (RSPCA).
To discuss pets and pet care with your housing officer, please email: neighbourhoodhousing@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Following these tips will keep you, your pet and your neighbours smiling.
Have you heard the news? Our new repairs contractor has now started
We hope you’ve seen the news on email, by letter or on social media, but from 1 August we appointed Wates Property Services as our new repairs contractor.
They have started by addressing any outstanding repairs and will then work with us to provide a prompt and efficient repairs service.
We have been working hard working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the transition to the new contractor is smooth. It should not affect you, as you will still report repairs online.
We have put together some FAQs below, which we hope will answer any questions you may have
What is changing?
We have appointed a new contractor to carry out housing repairs on our behalf. Wates Property Services began their contract on 1 August 2023.
Do I need to do anything?
No, you will not need to make any changes. As one of our residents, all repairs reported will be transferred to Wates to be actioned.
How will I know who the new contractors are?
Wates will always wear branded clothing and identification badges, showing they are working on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council. Wates vans will also have Central Bedfordshire Council logos on them. If in doubt, ask to see their identification.
Does this change how I report a repair?
No. You should still report repairs online. In an emergency, please call 0800 074 0263.
Will this affect my rent?
No, the change of our repairs service provider to Wates will not affect how much you pay. This is part of our service to you and is included in your rent.
Give us your feedback
Do you like the news bulletin? What would you like to see included? If you have anything you would like to see on these bulletins, email housinginfo@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and let us know.