Dear tenant
We hope you’re keeping safe and well. For those customers who are observing the holy month of Ramadan, we would like to wish you Ramadan Mubarak. For those celebrating Easter next week, we wish you a blessed and holy Easter weekend.
Inside this email…
- An update on Annual Tenancy Check-Ins
- Council tax rebate and how to apply
- Debt and money advice
- Advice when moving home
- How to give us feedback
- Reminders on how to contact us
Universal credit reminder
 For tenants claiming Universal Credit, please remember to update your rent charge on your journal.
Annual Tenancy Check-Ins
Pre-pandemic we aimed to visit each tenant in their home each year. The purpose of this visit was to:
- speak to you
- update your information
- offer support if needed
- promote tenant involvement
- make sure your property was in good repair
During the pandemic, we were unable to maintain the same level of visits. We carried out many tenancy check ins by telephone or online.
From mid-April we are reintroducing ‘in person’ visits. We will aim to visit all tenants at least once every 3 years and we’ll prioritise tenants we haven’t seen recently.
We may also check in with you through an online survey or a telephone call.
If we are visiting you, we will write to you with a suggested time. If you are contacted by your Housing Officer, please get in touch with them to arrange an appointment. We may also knock on your door to see if you’re available when we are doing other visits in your neighbourhood. Your home visit will take 30 to 60 minutes.
Ask to see identification before letting anyone into your home. Our staff will always carry ID.
Always check the person calling is your housing officer before discussing your tenancy.
Visit Annual Tenancy check-in for more information.
£150 council tax rebate
You will be aware of the Government announcement that most households in council tax bands A to D will be eligible for a £150 rebate payment. This is to help people with rising fuel bills and the cost of living.
If you pay your council tax by direct debit, the payment will be made directly into your bank account. You don’t need to do anything.
If you pay your council tax through a deduction from your salary, you will receive the payment into the same bank account that your salary is paid into. You don’t need to do anything.
If you pay by any other method you will need to complete the online form to claim the payment. Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/council-tax/£150-council-tax-rebate for more information.
We aim to make the rebate payments during April.
You can access free and confidential advice on debt, money, and other issues through local organisations:
Leeds Welfare Support Scheme – for help and advice if you are struggling to pay for food, rent, and other household bills
Green Doctor – for specialist fuel and energy advice offering support on most areas including switching tariffs, energy bills and debt, access to emergency top ups, priority services register sign-up for vulnerable people
Money Buddies Energy Plus Service – for advice on money and energy saving, help with reading bills and meters, energy saving equipment, support for disputes with providers and free legal debt advice to prevent energy disconnections
Scope Disability Energy Support – offering energy support to any disabled person or households in England or Wales
Yorkshire Water – offering payment options and support schemes to help with ongoing water bills and arrears
Moving home?
Please make sure you remove all your belongings and leave the property clean and tidy. We don’t ask that you leave the property spotlessly clean, but you do need to:
- remove all your belongings (both inside and out)
- sweep the floors clean
- cut and tidy the garden
It’s acceptable to leave a small number (no more than 5) of bags of rubbish in the property. We will remove these free of charge, if you leave them tied up neatly, inside the property.
You are responsible for putting right any DIY or alterations that you’ve made. Even if you’ve had permission for any changes, you may still need to do this. Please check with your local Housing Office.
You are responsible for putting right any damage that you have caused both inside and outside. If any damage has been caused to your property, you must let us know before you leave. We can advise you on what needs to happen.
If you fail to leave the property in an acceptable condition, your Tenancy Agreement allows us to recharge you for the cost of us doing it.
Useful Information
For help and support to manage your tenancy, contact us
Find out more on ending a council tenancy
Find out where to take your waste and recycling
Find out how to get rid of unwanted items
Spring COVID-19 Booster Programme
People aged 75 and over, and people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed, are now eligible for a Spring COVID-19 booster vaccine.
The NHS will contact eligible people to book their next vital jab. Visit nhs.uk/covid-booster for more information.
Please stay up to date on guidance, how you can access testing, vaccine, and other useful information at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus
Let us know how we’re doing
Whether you just want to tell us how we’re doing, give us a compliment or if you have a complaint, we really want to hear from you. Your feedback is important to us so we can learn from it and improve our service. There are several ways you can contact us:
Did you know? We have a two stage complaints process. If you’re not happy with our final response you can contact the Housing Ombudsman or the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (depending on what your complaint is about).
When we’ve closed your complaint, we’ll send you a text with a link to a survey. There’s no obligation to complete the survey but your feedback will help us improve how we manage complaints in the future.
Contacting us:
To request a repair:
- Call 0800 188 4000
- Outside of office hours we will only take calls for emergency repairs.
- Swarcliffe PFI areas please call Yorkshire Housing on 0345 366 4403
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Little London, Beeston Hill & Holbeck PFI areas please call Engie on 03331 210 074
To make a rent payment: go to Housing Rent Payments or call 0300 456 0484. You can also call your local housing office to make a payment
For all general enquiries: Call 0800 188 4000 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 10am to 5pm). This number is free from a mobile and a landline. For all ongoing tenancy matters please contact your local housing office
Keep up to date with services available at the Hubs. To take part in consultations and have your say, register with Your Voice Leeds
We welcome your feedback to help us improve the services that we give.
And finally
Cheaper broadband and phone packages
Social tariffs can provide a safety net for eligible households who might be struggling to afford their broadband or phone services. The broadband market offers customers a wide range of choice, with different deals available to suit different needs. Some providers offer social tariffs which are only available to customers who receive certain government benefits, as set out in the table in the weblink below.
Cheaper broadband and phone packages - Ofcom
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Mears Customer Voice Panel
For those who live in West Leeds, your contractor Mears has set up a virtual network of residents from around the country. You can provide feedback on their services, give insight into what’s important and what’s not, and help design new initiatives. To become part of this network, simply complete a registration form
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Cervical cancer screening can save lives - book your screening today
Are you aged 25 and 64 and received an invite for cervical screening? Don't avoid booking your appointment. Attending your screening can help prevent cancer.
Don't delay, book your appointment today!
If you have any questions, speak to your local GP practice. For more information about cervical screening visit the NHS website
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