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March 2026
In this issue:
Easter Egg hunts, help getting online, cookery classes and rent free weeks in April.
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Help us deliver the best possible service to you
We are currently undertaking a project to improve the information we hold about our tenants to ensure that our services are delivered in a manner that is accessible and meet the needs of our residents.
As part of this work, our team will be contacting all residents over the coming weeks to complete a brief survey.
Calls started on Thursday, March 26 and will be made between 5pm and 8pm.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, and we kindly ask that you engage with the survey when contacted. Your participation is essential in helping us enhance the way we provide our services.
Thank you for your support.
Don't miss out on the Right to Buy scheme
Many Dartford Borough Council tenants have the legal “Right to Buy” (RTB), which allows eligible tenants to purchase their council home at a discount.
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it’s your only or main home
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you’ve had a public sector landlord for three years
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You meet the necessary immigration and residency requirements
The discount is based on:
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how long you’ve been a tenant with a public sector landlord
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the type of property you’re buying – a flat or house
If you do exercise the Right to Buy, you will become responsible for all the costs of maintaining your home, including routine repairs, major structural repairs, and any improvements you make to it, and service charges if they are applicable.
Some council homes are exempt from the Right to Buy.
For further details and information, please visit:
You can also contact the Right to Buy team via email: righttobuy@dartford.gov.uk or by phone: 01322 343211/01322 343832 for more information.
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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.
All messages in this group are closed to maintain privacy. Personal information is accessible to admins only.
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A Facebook group that's just for you
We've introduced a new Facebook group for tenants and leaseholders across Dartford to join so they can receive updates direct to their news feeds.
The group is designed for you to raise issues, hear the latest from us and improve our service.
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Exciting and helpful community Housing events
Housing Easter Roadshow
Come along to our free family Easter Event, with fun activities including Easter crafts and an egg hunt. Our Housing Services Team will also be on hand to answer your queries and provide advice.
Dates:
Tuesday, April 7: Temple Hill Community Centre, 2pm to 4pm.
Thursday, April 9: Tree Estate Community Centre, 2pm to 4pm.
Sign up to our Easter Event
Eat Well for Less Cookery Classes
Live cooking demonstrations and workshops for tenants. Ingredients are provided.
Get help and advice on energy saving and budget meal planning as well as a Q&A
session and recipe handouts.
Dates:
Temple Hill Community Centre, DA1 5HY
- Tuesday, June 23: 11am to 2.30pm
- Tuesday, June 30: 10am to 12pm
Tree Estate Community Centre, DA1 2RS
- Thursday, June 25: 1pm to 3.30pm
- Tuesday, June 30:1pm to 3:30pm
Sign up to our Eat Well for Less Cookery Classes.
Digital sessions
Do you need help signing up or using our Tenant Portal, or want to know how to use our online services? Come along to our free digital sessions for help from your Housing Services Team.
Tuesday, March 31.
- Thatcher Court, 10am to 12pm.
- Tree Estate Community Centre, 2pm to 4pm.
Please email Housing Engagement to attend a session or call us on 01322 343195.
Understanding your rent-free weeks coming in April
We want to remind all tenants about the upcoming rent-free weeks, which are part of your annual rent schedule.
If you are in rent arrears you must continue to pay through the no rent due weeks to avoid legal action.
When are the rent‑free weeks?
Your rent-free weeks this year will fall on the following dates:
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Week commencing 6th April
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Week commencing 13th April
This means no rent is charged for these two weeks.
Why do rent‑free weeks exist?
Rent‑free weeks are built into the rent structure to ensure that the total rent charged across the year remains consistent and affordable. They give tenants a short financial break while still keeping payments balanced across the rest of the year.
What do tenants need to do?
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If you pay weekly and are not in arrears, simply pause payments during these two weeks
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If you pay monthly in advance, your rent‑free weeks are already included in your monthly calculation.
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If you use Universal Credit, your rent‑free weeks are already included in your monthly calculation. You must also report your rent change to Universal Credit after 6th April, this change cannot be reported before this date.
If you’re unsure how this affects your payments or need support, please contact the rents Team on (01322) 343134 or rents@dartford.gov.uk who will be happy to help.
 Sharing updates with you
We want to make sure everyone can access and understand the information we share. If you have a visual impairment, or need information in a different format, we can tailor our communications to support you.
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Estate Inspections: Help keep communal spaces safe, clean, and well maintained
We’re committed to providing residents with safe, welcoming, and well maintained environments. One of the key ways we support this is through regular estate inspections. These inspections help us identify issues early, monitor the quality of ground maintenance, and make sure our communal areas remain pleasant spaces for everyone to use.
What are Estate Inspections?
Estate inspections are routine checks carried out in tenanted blocks of flats. Their purpose is to assess the condition of communal spaces, both inside and outside the building. This can include:
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Entrances, hallways, and stairwells
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Bin stores and drying areas
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Grass, shrubs, and other maintained planting
These inspections help us spot repairs, cleanliness concerns, hazards, or any maintenance issues that need attention.
What Estate Inspections do not cover
It’s important to note that estate inspections do not include houses or any areas without communal spaces. They are focused solely on buildings and environments that residents share, where collective upkeep is essential.
Regular inspections help ensure:
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Safety – Identifying potential hazards before they cause harm.
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Cleanliness – Keeping shared areas wellpresented and hygienic.
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Timely Repairs – Picking up issues early so they can be fixed quickly.
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Accountability – Monitoring the performance of contractors responsible for cleaning and grounds maintenance.
Residents are invited to join and participate in our weekly estate inspections. If you cannot attend, please report any concerns between inspections. Your feedback, combined with our regular checks, helps us maintain the standards across our properties.
Working together for better places to live
Estate inspections are an important part of how we look after communal spaces in our housing stock. By focusing on blocks of flats and shared areas, we can ensure these spaces stay safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone. Together with resident feedback, the inspections help us take swift action when needed and build communities we can all be proud of.
Spring Clean Spotlight: Communal Areas & Gardens
With brighter days ahead, now’s a great time to refresh our shared spaces. Residents living in flats or maisonettes are encouraged to keep communal halls, landings, and corridors free from clutter. If you have a garden or balcony, please ensure it stays tidy and free from old furniture and rubbish. A tidy home environment makes everyone feel more comfortable and proud of where they live.
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Have your say on changes and our service
We regularly run consultations on changes to policies and strategies that affect you. We have a dedicated page for Housing surveys and consultations, along with a Council-wide consultations page.
You can also sign up to get Consultations updates direct to your inbox by looking through your subscriber preferences at the bottom of this email.
We're currently running the following consultations on Housing policies and strategies:
Draft Domestic Abuse Housing Strategy
Demoted Tenancy Policy
Got a complaint about our service?
If we get things wrong, we want to make them right and learn from our mistakes.
Service requests v Formal complaints
Knowing the difference between a service request and a formal complaint helps make sure your issue is handled in the right way, as quickly as possible.
What is a Service Request?
A service request is when you ask us to put something right. This usually involves day to day issues that need rectifying, such as:
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Requesting an update on ongoing work
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Highlighting something that needs attention in a communal area
Service requests allow our teams to step in and resolve practical problems without needing to follow the complaint process. Most issues can be fixed effectively at this stage.
What is a Formal Complaint?
A formal complaint is submitted when you feel dissatisfied with the service you have received. This might include situations where:
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You feel your concerns haven’t been addressed
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There have been repeated delays or errors
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You believe the service provided falls below expected standards
A complaint triggers our official complaints process, which includes an investigation and a clear response within set timeframes, 10 working days for a stage one complaint and 20 working days for a stage two complaint.
Why the Distinction Matters
By choosing the correct route, your issue can be handled more efficiently:
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Service requests help us resolve practical matters quickly.
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Formal complaints ensure your concerns about service quality are properly reviewed and responded to.
If you’re ever unsure which option fits your situation, our team is always happy to guide you.
Help, advice and support links
You can contact all of our departments online by visiting our online contact form. We're also available on the phone through our main number, 01322 343434.
Cost of living support
Support with domestic abuse
Tenant Portal
Advice on banned dog breeds
Upcoming events
Current consultations
My Community Voice
Dealing with loneliness
Citizens Advice Bureau: North West Kent
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