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Dear tenant
BITMO are sending you this message to help keep you updated about our services, and how we can all keep safe and well at this time.
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Information about housing services
To help protect tenants, staff and our contractors Non-essential repairs and maintenance remain suspended. We will continue to deliver essential repairs and maintenance that protect people's health and safety. Since 23rd March, when social distancing rules began, we have carried out essential repairs to protect tenants health and safety. More information about what is and isn’t an essential repair can be found here.
You can continue to report non-essential repairs to us by phone so that once restrictions on social distancing are lifted, you will not have to report your repair again.
A supportive approach to rent collection. Many tenants are worried about, or are currently having to manage, on a reduced household income. If you are struggling to pay your rent please contact us.
If we contact you about rent, we’ll focus on checking if you are well, asking about your current circumstances and finding out if your household income is reduced or delayed due to the Coronavirus emergency. We’ll be able to give advice on how to deal with any reduced income so that when circumstances change, the long term impact for you and your family is kept to a minimum.
Fire safety – many of us will be spending more time at home in the coming weeks. The following are useful reminders to us all, especially residents living in flats, so we are as safe as possible.
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Smoking - Keep lit cigarettes away from bedding and clothing. If you are smoking on a balcony, please dispose of cigarette butts safely, as thrown butts can be blown onto other balconies and start fires. Do not put cigarette butts down the chutes.
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Vaping - Please do not leave e-cigarettes on charge overnight or unattended.
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Barbeques - are not allowed on balconies under any circumstances
Thank you for helping keep yourself and your neighbours’ safe. Supporting tenants through the Coronavirus pandemic is very important to us. To help make sure our more vulnerable tenants are safe and getting the support they need, housing staff are ringing over 300 tenants who are aged vulnerable or live alone to check on their well-being.
Other useful updates
Bins, waste and recycling
Public litter bins - Please don't use public litter bins right now. Double bag dog poo, tissues and face masks and put them in your black bin. Plastic bottles and drinks cans and lots of other things can go in your green bin (check what goes in your green bin here).
Burning waste – As per your tenancy agreement, do not burn garden waste in gardens as it can be a nuisance for neighbours. You can compost or pile up garden waste until brown bin collections start again. Keep any bulky waste (furniture etc.) stored for now. Skip companies are still operating so you might want to arrange for one.
Current service status
- Green and black bins are being collected as usual
- Brown bins aren't being collected
- Glass banks are being emptied as usual
- Recycling Centres are closed
Service updates about bins, waste and recycling are available here
Looking after your physical and mental health - Coronavirus affects us all in different ways, with many people feeling increasingly anxious and worried. While the focus is often on physical health, it's important to look after our mental health too. Here are some Leeds-based resources that are worth checking out:
MindWell for the latest information and resources to help people take care of their mental health at this time. It’s also helpful if you’re concerned about someone you know.
MindMate a trusted Leeds-based website for children and young people and their families.
Healthy at Home - an online resource for all ages, including home workout tutorials, guidance and information, and fun challenges to try at home. We are sure there will be something that will work for you and help you to be ‘Healthy At Home’.
Make the most of being online - from young people to the older generation, from Zooming to eBooks, virtual tours, healthcare and exercise, there really is something for everyone on this fantastic list of online resources put together by 100% Digital Leeds. For example, this step by step guide on how to video call your friends or family. Child Friendly Leeds also have guidance, activities and loads of creative ideas for families. Domestic Violence - We know this is a difficult and worrying time for everyone, especially for adults and children living with domestic abuse. There is still support available to help you through this time:
And finally
Police across West Yorkshire are working hard to keep the public safe amid the ongoing threat from the coronavirus pandemic. To help keep the city safe and protect our most vulnerable, please report non-emergency crimes online rather than phone by visiting the West Yorkshire Police website. This includes being able to report breaches of national social distancing restrictions.
Useful links
Help for people and communities [leeds.gov.uk]
NHS health advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) [nhs.uk]
Information on latest government advice [gov.uk
Report your symptoms to help the NHS [nhs.uk]
Call BITMO on 0113 378 2188 if you're self-isolating and don't have friends or family nearby who can help. We can put you in touch with Leeds City Council volunteers who can help you with shopping, transport to medical appointments, or a call to check how you are.
Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation
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