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Dear tenant

Housing Leeds are sending you this message to keep you updated about our services, and to share useful information to help us all stay safe and well.

Housing staff are still here to support you and deal with any queries you may have:

• To request an essential repair call 0800 188 4000, or log a non-essential repair online. Swarcliffe PFI areas please call Yorkshire Housing on 0345 366 4403. Little London, Beeston Hill & Holbeck PFI areas please call Engie on 03331 210 074
• To check your rent balance or make a payment go to www.leeds.gov.uk/ssp or call 0113 395 7100
• For all general enquiries call 0800 188 4000
• For all ongoing tenancy matters please contact your local housing office.

Non-essential repairs and maintenance remain suspended

We will continue to deliver essential repairs and maintenance that protect people's 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 online so that once restrictions on social distancing are lifted, you will not have to report your repair again.  If you have already logged a non-essential repair with us you do not need to contact us again. We will contact you when we have more information about the timescales for completion. 

A supportive approach to rent collection

If you are struggling to pay your rent, speak to your Housing Officer as soon as possible. They can help you to:

• Apply for any benefits that you are entitled to
• Make a plan to help you pay rent and arrears
• Speak to Leeds Credit Union about a loan or other financial services
• Get up to date advice on emergency benefits or sick pay that you are entitled to.

Other news and updates

Commemorate the 75^th anniversary of VE DAY this special bank holiday weekend - There are lots of activities you can be involved with whilst still maintaining social distancing to keep everyone safe.

• Tune into Her Majesty The Queen’s message to the nation at 9pm on Friday 8^th May, BBC One, the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.
• Enjoy a sing-along with the Royal British Legion at 9pm on Friday 8^th May in coming together to sing Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’
• Get involved for VE Day - recipe ideas, posters, colouring in pictures for younger family members, veteran’s own stories as well as wider information on WW2.
• Take a look at the English Heritage ‘VE Day 75 celebrate at home pack’ includes 1940s recipes, dance steps and even a Spotify playlist. 
• Get creative and take part in the ‘Great British Bunting’ display in your window at home.
• Watch Emily Nelson from Leeds Museums reviewing the item of the day relating to archive material from the end of the war
• Watch the specially created Leeds Libraries montage of archive footage taken at the end of the war, hosted on Leeds Armed Forces Facebook and Twitter

Share your Second World War stories, family histories and messages of remembrance on social media using #VEDay75

Struggling to pay the bills? 

All energy suppliers have agreed help for people who are struggling during the Coronavirus outbreak. This help can include reduced payments or payment breaks, giving you more time to pay, and access to hardship funds. There is also an agreement that no-one will be cut off during the outbreak. If you are affected then please contact your energy supplier directly.  There’s also:

Yorkshire Water are urging anyone who is struggling, to pay to contact them. They have a number of schemes available that could reduce your bill or make it easier to pay. Visit their website or call them on 0345 1 24 24 24.

The Leeds Green Doctor Service are offering telephone energy efficiency advice, for gas, electricity and water. They can help you with supplier issues, problems with billing and helping to switch tariffs. Call them on 0113 238 0601 or email greendoctorleeds@groundwork.org.uk

• If you are on a reduced or low income or in receipt of benefits you may be eligible for assistance with health care costs, such as prescription charges. To find out if you are eligible please see here.

Be noise aware

With many more of us at home during the day we can easily make more noise than usual.  Please be mindful of your neighbours, and the wider community, by thinking about the noise you may make, so that everyone feels comfortable in their own home.  

You can report noise nuisance to your local housing team, or 0113 222 4402.  We will continue to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour and take action where we have evidence, but we will not be undertaking any home visits at this time. We are also not able to investigate allegations of day-to-day living noises e.g. footsteps, noise from washing machines, vacuum cleaners or children playing in the garden. 

Burning waste

As per your tenancy agreement, do not burn garden waste in gardens as 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. Service updates about bins, waste and recycling are available here

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 our helpline on 0113 378 1877 if you're self-isolating and don't have friends or family nearby who can help. Our phonelines are open 7 days a week 9am to 6pm and our volunteers can help you with shopping, transport to medical appointments, or a call to check how you are.

Housing Leeds