Dear Tenant
We 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.
Repairs
We are working closely with our repairs contractors on plans to re-start the repairs service, so that we can carry out more repairs and minor adaptations inside and outside of homes. We are hopeful that this will happen very soon. It will take us several months to work through the backlog of repairs that has built up which may mean you will have to wait longer for some repairs to be completed.
We’ll update our report a repair page with more details of the type of repairs we’re able to make soon.
Before visiting your home we will continue to ask health related questions around Coronavirus so that we can keep you, our staff and contractors safe. We will not be carrying out any visits to homes where tenants are self-isolating or shielding unless it is an emergency. We ask you work with us during any repairs visits to maintain safe working practices. Before visiting your home, we will discuss this with you, explaining how we will carry out the visit and what you will need to do during the visit.
Please continue to report all new repairs online or by calling 0800 188 4000.
For Swarcliffe PFI areas please call Yorkshire Housing on 0345 366 4403
For Little London, Beeston Hill & Holbeck PFI areas please call Engie on 03331 210 074
If you’ve already reported a repair
You will not need to report the repair to us again. We will contact you as we work through the backlog and will do this in priority order. Please do not call us to chase up your repair, unless your circumstances have changed.
Bidding and lettings
We're reintroducing bidding to council homes on a limited scale from 24 June. We're working to then increase the number of homes available for bidding gradually over time from then subject to availability.
We're working to make sure that all lettings are done in a safe way and it will be some time before we can reintroduce it fully. We will continue to provide regular updates on the Leeds Homes website.
If you were offered a home before lockdown
You don't need to contact us, we'll contact you as soon as we can to discuss your move and how this can be done safely.
If you are worried about paying your rent
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
To check your rent balance or make a payment go to www.leeds.gov.uk/ssp or call 0113 395 7100.
Other housing services
- We will continue to support Retirement Life Tenants through phone welfare checks. Please note, all community rooms and communal lounges in retirement life schemes remain closed and should not be used by tenants. Activities in schemes will not resume for some time until government guidance indicates it is safe to do so.
- We resumed some of the major improvement works to homes at the beginning of June. We’re not currently intending to resume any new improvement projects that involve entering your home, with all projects focussing on communal or external areas to help minimise contact with residents. These improvement works will benefit some 23 high rise blocks and over 4,000 homes. If the building you live in is affected by this work you’ll receive a letter including contact details for any further queries.
- We’ve continued to carry out fire safety and health & safety inspections during the lockdown period, which will continue.
- Annual home visits will remain suspended for some time. Instead of carrying out visits we will begin to offer annual tenancy contacts by telephone for some of our tenants.
- If you are at risk of homelessness Leeds Housing Options continue to offer a telephone service on 0113 2224412.
We’re busy working to reintroduce other services and will keep you updated on our progress.
Housing staff are still here to support you and deal with any queries you may have. To contact a member of your local housing team please check our Contact Us page.
And finally
Our Child Friendly Leeds and Active Leeds teams have resources and activities to help children and families stay active while staying safe.
People of all ages can access resources to be safely active in and outside of their homes through the Active Leeds website.
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
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