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Welcome to our first Council Tenant’s newsletter!

We are thrilled to present the very first edition of our Council Tenant's newsletter, designed to keep you up to date with the latest information. From recent activities and trips to important announcements and upcoming events, this is tailored just for you.

We’ve also launched a whole host of newsletters based on specific topics that you might be interested in, including Borough News, Parks, Events, Culture, Community Safety, Clean & Green, Community Hubs and Libraries, and more! See the full list of newsletters and sign up here.

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to sharing more with you over the coming months.

Join our online Discovery Workshop and get a £50 voucher

Are you interested in improving engagement with the council? If so, we’d like to invite you to take part in our Discovery Workshop with resident engagement experts Tpas (Tenants, Participation Advisory Service), to hear your thoughts and explore how we can build on future engagement.

As a token of our appreciation, participants will each receive a £50 Love to Shop voucher.

The workshops will be held online via Zoom on the following dates:

• Tuesday 14 January, 6pm – 8pm
• Thursday 16 January, 6pm – 8pm

Sign up now to secure your spot by emailing John Bloss at john.bloss@lbbd.gov.uk with your name, address and the date of the workshop you would like to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there.

A faster way to report non-urgent housing repairs

We’ve launched a new online repairs portal, designed to make reporting non-urgent housing repairs quicker and easier.

The new portal is:

• Fast: you can report repairs anytime, anywhere, in just minutes
• Easy: you can report repairs using a phone, tablet or computer
• Convenient: you will receive updates, can track progress and can book or reschedule appointments on the spot

Repairs can still be reported by phone, but many residents will find it quicker and easier to report online.

Gas inspections: help us to keep you safe

We carry out annual gas safety inspections to ensure your property remains safe. We need an average of 10 gas warrants each month for those who do not provide access, and this cost will be recharged to tenants.

It's really important to provide access to your home for these inspections as they're in place to keep you and your neighbours safe. You will always be written to in advance with an appointment made at a time that suits you. Unfortunately a small number of people fail to provide access and this could result in a loss of tenancy.

A huge thank you to those who keep to their appointments.

Keeping communal areas and landings clear

Fires can have devasting and fatal consequences. It's so important to keep your communal areas, balconies and outside space clear of any items that could obstruct fire routes, be a trip hazard during an evacuation or cause a fire to start or spread.

We thank you for your continued co-operation with this and also have outlined some other fire safety tips below which you may find helpful:

• Check your smoke alarm weekly.
• Know what to do in the event of a fire. Check the specific fire safety plans for your building.
• Don’t overload extension leads.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Check your fire doors.

See more fire safety tips on our website.

Do you own an electric scooter?

The growing popularity of electric bikes and scooters are increasing the risk of fire in our homes and buildings, but there are steps we can all take to help keep each other safe. 

Figures show firefighters in England tackled 48 percent more blazes from all lithium-ion battery-powered devices in 2023 than in 2022. Fires from these batteries are particularly hazardous, with flames heating up to 400C, and the London Fire Brigade warns that the heat generated from e-bike fires could be enough to melt metal. 

Please prevent the risk of fire by charging and storing your e-bike or e-scooter as safely as possible. And remember: 

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Only use the charger supplied by the manufacturer. 
• Only charge your e-bike or e-scooter when you’re awake and alert.
• Do not charge your e-bike or e-scooter if it has been through deep water.
• Do not cover chargers or battery packs when charging.
• Keep your e-bike or e-scooter away from things that burn easily.
• Don’t charge the battery if it feels hot after use.
• Do not overload socket outlets or use inappropriate extension leads.
• Unplug the battery when it’s charged.
• Never store your e-bike or e-scooter in a communal area.
• If possible, store your e-bike or e-scooter in a shed or garage, away from your home. 
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions if you need to get rid of an old e-bike or e-scooter battery. 

Money matters 

It’s important to prioritise your rent payments, and if you’re struggling financially, there's lots of support so please reach out.

You can give our friendly Rents Team a call at 020 8215 3000 for help to get back on track.

You can also visit our local Community Hubs for face-to-face support, and get a range of help online including free budget tools and a benefits calculator.

Do you own an XL Bully dog?

If you own an XL Bully dog, you must apply to the council for a permit. If you haven't already, don't put it off. It's important you let us know as this is part of your tenancy agreement with us.

To request a permit, email housingservicesadvice@lbbd.gov.uk with your name, address, dog details (gender/age), and a copy of your Certificate of Exemption by Friday 14 February.

Share your views for a £50 voucher

Fancy being in for a chance to win a £50 voucher? All you have to do is share your thoughts and suggestions on how we can improve our newsletter and let us know what information you'd like to see. Your feedback is valuable and will help us tailor content to benefit everyone.  Email us at residentsafetyengagement@lbbd.org.uk

Are you interested in volunteering?

Do you have some spare time on your hands? If you'd like to become a volunteer and help make your community a nicer, more vibrant place, get in touch! You can also join one of our Tenant Scrutiny Panels to help shape the way our services are delivered. Want to know more? Email: residentsafetyengagement@lbbd.org.uk

Look out for our housing website updates

Take a look at our new Council Tenant information pages where you can find all the information you need in one place. We'll be working on further updates to our website over the coming weeks and welcome your feedback about the changes we have made so far. You can give your feedback at the bottom of each page.

Home surveys are coming soon

We've appointed Pennington Choices to carry out stock condition surveys on all of our properties. It’s important to allow access for these surveys as the information collected will provide us with a clear understanding of the condition of your home. The survey will give each council property a health check and help inform our plans for improvements in the coming years. 

Pennington Choices are starting to write to all council tenants to explain the process further.

We work with a number of different contractors to look after you and your home. If they require access to your property we will always try to let you know in advance. All contractors working on our behalf will carry an identification card, which you can request to see before giving access to your home. If you are in doubt, it's always best to be on the safe side. Please contact us to check the person at your door is who they say they are on 020 8215 3000.

Damp and mould: tips to reduce moisture

The main cause of damp and mould is too much moisture in the air. Moisture can build up without us even realising it. Simple tasks like doing the dishes or having a shower can each add two pints of moisture to your home alone.

Take a look at these top tips to reduce the humidity in your home - especially as we head into colder months:

1. Heating: Try to keep your home warm with a low background heat of at least 18 degrees, and open windows or doors to unused rooms frequently to circulate the air.
2. Drying clothes: Where possible dry clothes outside. Avoid drying clothes on radiators. Use a clothes airer in a room where a window can be opened, or an extractor or dehumidifier is on.
3. Cooking: Put lids on pans while cooking, close connecting doors, open a window and/or use the extractor fan.
4. Bathing: Use extractor fans where fitted and close connecting doors. After a bath or shower, open the window to let the air circulate and use a squeegee to remove excess water from tiles and shower screens.
5. Windows: Air your home by opening windows when possible. Leave trickle vents open and wipe away condensation on windows.
6. Furniture: Leave a small gap between furniture and outside walls. Avoid putting mattresses directly on the floor as air needs to circulate underneath and declutter rooms to improve air flow.

A day in the life

Welcome to our new series, 'A Day in the Life' where we're shining the spotlight on staff across our housing team to give you better insight into the roles and responsibilities we cover. It's also an opportunity for you to get to know us a bit better, and put a face to some of our names. We kick this off with our lovely Housing Officer Siobhan, take a look!

What my role involves

As a Housing Officer one of my favourite parts of the job is welcoming new tenants and guiding them through the sign-up process to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities. It's a great feeling to help someone start their journey in a new home.

From the beginning to the end of a tenancy, I’m here to help - whether it's directly tenancy related, financial advice, mental health support, or something else.

I also arrange ward walkabouts and help organise events and activities to foster a sense of community among tenants. These events are a great way for everyone to get to know each other.        

What I love about my role

I get to meet and interact with a diverse range of people. Each tenant has a unique story, and I enjoy getting to know them and helping them feel at home.

It’s incredibly rewarding to provide support and assistance. Whether I’m helping someone settle into their new home or resolving a challenging issue, I take pride in making a positive difference.

No two days are ever the same. The role is dynamic and varied, with new challenges and opportunities popping up daily. Being a Housing Officer is more than just a job for me; it’s a passion. I’m dedicated to making our community a better place for everyone, and I’m proud to be part of a team that shares this commitment.