Dear tenant
As we start the new year we know many residents will be worried about making ends meet with the rises in the cost of living. If you’re concerned about money and are struggling, please contact us. There’s lots of ways we can help people, so don’t be afraid to speak with your local housing team – we’re here to help.
Inside this email…
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Come work with us - new Housing Officer jobs available
- Five great sources of help and support this winter
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Working together to prevent and resolve damp and mould issues
- Rent statement reminder
- A link to our ‘self-assessment’ on how well we manage complaints
- A new video showing the great work of our ‘Housing Advisory Panels’ or HAPs and the difference they make
- Reminders on how to contact us
We’re currently recruiting Housing Officers – a fantastic opportunity to be part of the Housing Leeds team.
Five things to help you (and others) this winter:
 Visit the Together Leeds website, the best place to find up to date information on
- Free, confidential and impartial help and advice on a range of money related matters such as debt, money, energy and utilities.
- The help available at community hubs – like claiming benefits you could be eligible for and using the free computers
- Advice on how to say healthy and well this winter
- Emergency food and paying for essentials such as gas and electric
Find your nearest warm space where people can gather for free in a warm, safe and welcoming place
Take a look at the Green Doctor’s a poster showing ten quick and easy ways to help with energy bills
 Become a Winter Friend and look out for the people around you, both in their personal life and the wider community. Winter Friends understand that kindness goes a long way and that, often, the smallest of gestures are the ones that make the biggest difference. Find out more about becoming a Winter Friend.
Find out about community facilities, getting out and about, and activities and events happening near you on the Leeds Directory
Damp and mould advice
Thank you to everyone who has reported damp and mould issues directly to our new Damp and Mould team. As a council we are committed to making sure that our homes are safe and free from damp and mould. Contacting the team directly is the quickest way for these issues to be assessed and prioritised. Sending photographs to the team is a perfect way to show us what problems you are experiencing. Visit our website for guidance on reporting damp and mould issues.
In some instances, our team have come across mould growth in homes because of condensation. This can often be easily treated before it becomes a more serious issue. Wiping down condensation on windows and other surfaces helps reduce the chances of mould growth. If you notice any mould growth, then wipe it down straight away with a fungicidal/mould removal spray. These are available in most supermarkets and household stores. Don’t use bleach as this won’t kill the mould.
You can help reduce damp and mould in your home by allowing air to circulate freely:
- Make sure vents and air bricks are not obstructed
- Open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when cooking and showering
- Use extractor fans if you have them
- Open trickle vents on windows
- Where possible, don’t place furniture against outside walls; leave a gap between furniture and walls to allow air circulation
- When cooking, put lids on pans to reduce steam
Further advice is available from Shelter and in our damp and mould advice leaflet.
Wiping away mould and condensation doesn’t mean that we won’t inspect your home if you think there is a problem. We can still check to see if there are any repair issues that are contributing to the problem. Wiping away mould and condensation means that any potentially hazardous mould is removed, and it prevents a small problem becoming a bigger and more costly one to resolve.
We understand the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on tenants and their families. We have a limited supply of mould sprays which are available to tenants free of charge. If you would like us to supply you one of these sprays, please email us at D&Mteam@Leeds.gov.uk.
Rent statement reminder
In December we posted your rent statement. If you haven’t already checked this, please do, and get in touch with us if you’ve any issues. If you have arrears on your account, it is important you contact your local housing team
 Every December we update our ‘self-assessment’ against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code. This is a code that sets out what good practice should be for all landlords, including Housing Leeds. You can read more about how we manage complaints and how we comply against the code on our website.
Shaping your local community
Across the city, we fund 11 Housing Advisory Panel’s or ‘HAPs’. Each HAP has a budget to consider applications for small environmental or community projects decided on by tenants themselves. View our latest video that showcases some of the many projects HAPs have supported.
If you’ve an idea for a project or would be interested in joining other tenants on your local HAP, get in touch with the Tenant Engagement team on 0113 378 3330 or email housingadvisorypanel@leeds.gov.uk
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 0345 366 4403
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Little London, Beeston Hill & Holbeck PFI areas please call 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
Register with Your Voice Leeds to become part of a growing online engagement community.
We welcome your feedback to help us improve the services that we give.
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