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Please note we are currently only able to complete emergency and urgent repairs in as our contract with Breyer Group, our main contractor, has ended.
We have plans in place to mitigate the impact on our tenants and will get services back to normal as soon as possible. In the meantime, you may see different contractors attend if you require repairs. Please bear with us as these plans get underway.
All staff will still continue to provide Dartford Borough Council Identification, but if you are in any doubt please contact us on 01322 343800.
You will be contacted by our team as required but if you have an urgent enquiry please email us on repairs@dartford.gov.uk or visit our repairs page.
We're continuing our programme of providing new social housing around the borough.
Carreck Close, named after palaeontologist John Carreck who excavated a number of fossils from the nearby Barnfield Pit in the 1950’s, comprises of sixteen new homes. There are 10 two-bed flats, four one-bed flats, and two three-bed houses.
All the new homes are ultra-low energy, with no gas at all on site – instead, all heating and hot water is obtained through air source heat pumps. There is parking with EV charging points, plus additional parking provided along Gilbert Close, and the homes overlook nearby allotments and parkland.
Members of Dartford’s Tenant and Leaseholders Forum and representatives of the many contractors who worked to build the new homes joined local councillors and the Worshipful Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Andy Lloyd, on Monday afternoon.
Also in attendance were new tenants, Megan and her partner Clem, who cut the ribbon on their brand new home. They are expected to move in with their three children by the end of April.
 Thinking of downsizing? Now’s the perfect time!
Are you living in a home that’s bigger than you need? If so, we have increased incentives to support tenants who choose to downsize. By moving to a smaller property, you’re not only making life easier for yourself, but you’re also helping families in need by freeing up larger homes for those who are currently overcrowded.
Why downsize?
- More manageable living - A smaller home can be easier to maintain, with lower bills and less upkeep.
- Financial incentives - The council is now offering greater financial support to help with moving costs.
- Help others in need - By downsizing, you give another family the chance to move into a home that better suits their needs.
How it works
- Speak to your housing officer or the Allocation team to see what support is available.
- Receive financial assistance to help with moving costs, making the transition smoother.
If you’re considering a move, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the improved incentives. Get in touch by calling today on 01322 343907 to find out more!
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Get Housing updates straight to your phone
We've launched a WhatsApp channel to keep you up to date with important documents, news and events.
Privacy Notice: All messages in this group are closed to maintain privacy. Personal information is accessible to admins only.
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Housing Waiting Times
The data below was based on the previous 18 months’ worth of allocations.
Band A
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Waiting time
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One bed
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17 months
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Two bed
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31 months
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Three bed
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34 months
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Four bed
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50 months
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Total allocations: 103 in the past 18 months.
Band B
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Waiting time
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One bed
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20 months
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Two bed
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33 months
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Three bed
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61 months
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Four bed
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64 months
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Total allocations: 135 in the past 18 months.
Band C
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Waiting time
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One bed
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13 months
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Two bed
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31 months
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Three bed
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70 months
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Four bed
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N/A
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Total allocations: 74 in the past 18 months.
Band D
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Waiting time
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One bed
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13 months
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Two bed
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35 months
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Three bed
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45 months
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Four bed
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N/A
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Five bed
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N/A
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Six bed
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85 months
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Total allocations: 109 in the past 18 months.
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The Dartford Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Forum exists to ensure that the services delivered by Dartford Borough Council are accessible to all.
They work as a group to make sure tenants' views and needs are placed at the centre of DBC's housing services delivery. They work in partnership with other forums and groups within the Dartford to address
You can contact the forum, or come along to a forum meeting. There are a couple of spaces on the Committee so if you are looking for a new role within your community please get in touch.
Future Public Meeting Dates 2025:
- Wednesday June 4 – Tree Estate Community Centre, Cedar Road, Dartford, DA1 2RS
- Wednesday October 15 - Temple Hill Community Centre, Temple Hill Square, Dartford, DA1 5HY
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How are we doing?
Performance Measures
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March 2024/2025
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Rent collected by the local authority as a proportion of rents owned
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97.54%
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Average time taken to re-let local authority housing (days
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41.78
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Percentage of emergency repairs completed on time
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96.43%
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Long term empty properties brought into use
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73 at the end of quarter two
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Your views matter, they inform the policies and strategies that define and guide the services that we provide. Without your guidance, we might miss out on the issues that affect you, whether that's repairs to your home, anti-social behaviour, or learning how we can improve our service.
Our strategies and policies are available to view online. When we consult on them, we share that information directly to you. If you ever want to discuss a policy or strategy, you can always email our Housing Policy team. Details on how to respond to consultations are listed below as part of the tenancy agreement consultation article.
Tenancy Agreement Consultation
A tenancy agreement is a signed contract between us (your landlord) and you (our tenant). The agreement sets out what your responsibilities are as a tenant, and what our responsibilities are as a landlord.
We’ve been reviewing the terms and conditions of the agreement, and we would love to hear what you think. We have also developed a new Tenancy Support Pack which contains additional information to help you to live in your home and support your tenancy with us
What do the changes mean for me?
The Tenancy Agreement sets out your responsibilities as a tenant. You will need to be aware of what the changes are so you know what is expected of you.
These changes don't put your home at risk, you just need to be aware of what the changes are so that you know what is expected from you as a tenant and what you can expect from us as landlord. The tenancy agreement changes do not affect leaseholders.
What are the proposed changes?
Some of the key changes include:
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Period of tenancy – When a tenancy ends, it will now end on a Sunday instead of Monday.
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Succession to or assignment of a tenancy – A new section has been added which summarises your statutory succession rights, which is a right to take over the tenancy or inherit it when someone dies.
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Payment of rent – The yearly change in rent will take effect on the first Monday in April each year, not from 1 April.
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Repairs, maintenance and improvements – We have added that vulnerable people may be able to receive help with decorating in accordance with any Council scheme in operation at the time, and that they may be able to receive help with small repairs. This in addition to elderly or disabled tenants.
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Blanket ban on items in communal areas – The Council has a zero tolerance policy towards items placed in communal areas, including on communal balconies. Any items found will be removed by the Council without notice and disposed of.
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Being a good neighbour – This section clarifies what is expected as a good neighbour. It includes new information on CCTV and SMART doorbells, and expectations of your behaviour and the behaviour of any visitors you have.
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Vehicles and parking – This section includes new clauses on your responsibilities for any vehicles kept or driven on your property and the wider estate. It also provides clarity on storing e-scooters, electric bicycles or mobility scooters.
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Using the property – The Council should be informed if you are planning to be away from your home for a continuous period of 28 days or more. This replaces the previous time of 42 non continuous days.
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Ending your tenancy – New information has been added to state if a joint tenant ends a tenancy, this will end the tenancy for all joint tenants. Remaining joint tenants, not entitled to succeed to the tenancy will be expected to find alternative accommodation.
 How can I have my say?
We are keen to hear what you think of our proposed changes to the tenancy agreement. Please let us know your views:
Please make sure that all comments are provided to us by Friday, May 16.
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Help us to stop sub-letters
It is a criminal offence to illegally sub-let your home. If you are found guilty you could be:
- Imprisoned for up to two years
- Fined up to £50,000
- Ordered by the court to give us any profit that you made from renting out your home.
Sub-letting your home is illegal and unfair - it deprives people of access to the home they would otherwise be entitled to.
If a tenant leaves a property, they need to inform the landlord, if they wish to let it, they need to get the express permission of the landlord.The Council has a zero tolerance approach to fraud.
Under POSHFA Regulations, authorised officers can obtain information from third party organisations to assist in intelligence and evidence gathering in tenancy and right to buy fraud investigations.
If you have any information regarding possible sub-letting in your area, please contact our team by emailing hem@dartford.gov.uk.
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Cracking down on fraud
In 2024 our Housing Allocations Team worked tirelessly to uncover a web of fraudulent housing register applications.
Between May and November the team identified 21 suspicious housing register applications and set to work to try to unpick the cases.
Detailed enquiries were made and with the help of our colleagues in the Fraud Team, we were able to disprove and close the fraudulent cases down.
Catching these cases means that Council housing goes to those who need it, rather than to people who may lie to get a home, or intend to use the home for their own profit. We're committed to guard against misrepresentation and fraud and any applicant trying who makes false or misleading statements, or deliberately withholds relevant information for their own gain is liable to have their application cancelled.
Prosecution will also be considered where it appears to the Council that a criminal offence has been committed. Proceedings for possession will be taken to recover any tenancy granted as a consequence of a fraudulent application for housing.
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We'll be visiting all council properties over the coming months as part of a tenancy audit programme. These visits are an essential part of maintaining our housing services and ensuring that properties are being used appropriately.
What Are Tenancy Audits?
A tenancy audit is an routine check carried out by housing officers to confirm who is living in a council property, ensure the home is being maintained properly, and identify any support needs the tenant may have.
Why Are Tenancy Audits Important?
Tenancy audits benefit both tenants and the wider community. They help to:
- Prevent tenancy fraud. Ensuring homes are occupied by the rightful tenants.
- Identify repairs and maintenance needs. Helping to keep properties in good condition.
- Support vulnerable residents. Providing assistance to those who may need extra help.
- Improve housing management. Ensuring council resources are used efficiently.
Housing staff will always carry identification. If you have any concerns or wish to confirm the legitimacy of a visit, please contact Housing on 01322 343133.
We appreciate your cooperation in making this process smooth and beneficial for all.
 Check who's visiting
Before you let anyone into your property, check they are who they say they are.
Keep in mind the following points:
- Identification: All our authorised contractors carry official ID. Always ask to see it before granting access.
- Personal Information: You will never be asked for sensitive details such as your date of birth or bank account information. If someone requests this, do not provide it and report the incident immediately.
- Payments: Our contractors will never demand payments or fees on the spot. If you are asked to pay unexpectedly.
Our current contractors are:
Your safety is our priority. If you have any concerns or wish to confirm a contractor’s identity, please reach out to 01322 343800.
Got a complaint about our service?
If we get things wrong, we want to make them right and learn from our mistakes.
How to complain
If you’re not satisfied with the service you’ve received from us, we want you to tell us what happened so we can resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Visit our complaints page to make a complaint and understand the process. This page also explains how to seek advice from the Housing Ombudsman.
Every year we carry out a self-assessment against the Ombudsman's Complaints Handling Code to see how we’re performing as a landlord. View the self-assessment.
You can see how we've responded to consultations in the last quarter.
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