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We know times are tough and finances are stretched, but recent incidents have shown just how vital contents insurance can be. Several tenants without insurance have sadly lost valuable belongings, leaving them with no financial protection.
Contents insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing your personal possessions if they are damaged, stolen, or destroyed. Everyday items such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and appliances can all be protected. Without insurance, the financial burden of replacing these essentials falls entirely on you.
Why it matters
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Floods: water damage can ruin furniture, flooring, and electronics
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Fires: even small fires can destroy irreplaceable possessions
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Theft or burglary: protection against stolen items
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Accidental damage: cover for unexpected mishaps
Even a basic policy can make a huge difference in protecting your possessions. We strongly encourage all tenants to explore contents insurance options to avoid the hardship of unexpected losses.
With the cold and wet weather it's important to be aware of how to deal with condensation, of damp and mould, common seasonal issues that can affect your comfort and health.
Here are some practical tips to help keep your home fresh and dry:
- Ventilate regularly: Open windows for short periods each day, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, to let moisture escape.
- Use extractor fans: If you have them, make sure to use fans when cooking or showering to reduce humidity.
- Dry clothes carefully: Avoid drying laundry indoors without proper ventilation. If you must, keep windows open or use a dehumidifier.
- Avoid drying clothes on radiators
- Keep furniture away from walls: Allow air to circulate by leaving a small gap between furniture and external walls.
- Wipe down condensation: Regularly clean windows and sills to prevent moisture build-up.
- Heat your home evenly: Try to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home to reduce cold spots where damp can form
If you spot leaks, damp patches, or mould that keeps coming back, please report it straight away so we can help:
Once reported, our team will attend as soon as possible and very quickly if it appears there is a significant issue. We’ll provide you with a clear action plan on how to deal with the issue and prevent it from returning. All staff have received specialist training to make sure problems are handled quickly, safely, and effectively.
Together, we can keep your home healthy, safe, and comfortable.
Our Enforcement Team has been working tirelessly this month to tackle fly tipping, illegal waste activity, and litter across the borough.
- Rugby Road: A large volume of cardboard waste was dumped at Gale Street and Rugby Road. Evidence linked it to a local business, resulting in a £500 Fixed Penalty Notice.
- Radford Way, Barking: Officers swiftly dealt with an illegal encampment and waste station. The site was vacated within hours, and administrators secured the land with new locks following its sale.
- Whalebone Lane South: Following complaints, the team partnered with Asda, McDonalds, and B&M Stores to clear litter. Businesses have now extended patrols and maintenance schedules, ensuring the area stays clean.
- Highbridge Road, Barking: Officers removed abandoned items within 15 minutes of being notified, preventing further waste dumping. Notices were served on landowners, and intelligence shared with neighbouring boroughs and the Environment Agency to tackle this wider issue.
- St Chads Road, Chadwell Heath: Waste was found at a known fly tipping hotspot. Officers traced the dumpers to an out of borough address, carried out a doorstep interview under caution, received an admission, and issued a Fixed Penalty Notice. This area remains challenging due to the lack of refuse storage for flats above shops, but enforcement continues.
Alongside this enforcement activity, the Council is also introducing enhanced fly‑tip and bulky‑waste service trials to strengthen borough‑wide cleanliness. Dedicated crews will proactively clear unreported fly tips seven days a week, while a six‑month trial of free bulky‑waste collections, which provides households with up to four free items, aiming to reduce illegal dumping. Operating across both Barking and Dagenham, these trials are designed to make waste services more efficient, tackle repeat problem areas, and ensure residents benefit from cleaner, safer neighbourhoods.
These actions show the work being done to protect our streets, estates, and green spaces. Fly tipping is more than an eyesore - it harms the environment, attracts pests, and costs thousands of pounds to clear. By disposing of waste responsibly and reporting incidents, we can all help keep Barking and Dagenham clean and safe.
 Stray dogs update
Between September and October last year, our Dog Warden dealt with 65 stray dogs across the borough. That’s a lot of wagging tails needing help. Microchipping is one of the simplest ways to make sure your dog can be quickly identified and reunited with you if they ever go missing. It’s not just important to protect your dog, it’s a legal requirement and keeping your contact details up to date makes all the difference.
And remember, it’s a myth that you can’t have a dog in a flat. As a social landlord we do allow dogs and other pets subject to certain conditions.
If you spot a stray dog or need advice, please get in touch with the LBBD Animal Control Team on 020 8215 3000 or email environmentalservices@lbbd.gov.uk.
Together, we can keep our community safe and our pets happy.
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