Welcome to Leeds Federated December e news!

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Customer e news December 2025

In this edition:

  • Christmas closure times
  • Changes to how we collect direct debits
  • Avoid loan sharks this Christmas
  • Visit our Housing Hub!
  • Support and activities over the Christmas period
  • Find inspiration in the creative corner
  • Looking back on a year of engagement
  • Festive crafts at Memorial Drive
  • Get rid of unwanted waste
  • How to keep your plants safe this winter 
  • Flash feedback - we've got a question for you! 
  • Latest news stories

Our Christmas closure times

Tool

We'll be closing for the Christmas and New Year period at 12pm on Tuesday 24 December 2025 and will reopen at 9am on Friday 2 January 2026.

During this period you'll still be able to report emergency repairs by calling our out of hours service on 0113 386 1000. Emergency repairs include things like severe water leaks and loss of all power.

When dealing with emergency repairs, our out of hours service will make things safe for you within 4 hours (unless it's related to gas repairs such as a broken boiler or no hot water, in which case you'll receive a repairs visit within 8 hours). If further work is required our Contact Centre will arrange this with you in the new year.

If you suspect a gas leak, call the National Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 immediately.

Changes to direct debits

Phone payment

To help improve our Direct Debit service, we’re making a small change to the way your payments are collected. You don’t need to do anything, and your service will stay exactly the same.

From 11 December 2025, your Direct Debits will be collected by allpay Limited. On your bank statement, you’ll see Leeds Federated Housing Association and allpay Limited listed together.

If you need to contact us or your bank about a Direct Debit, please quote this reference along with your name.

There’s no need to complete a new Direct Debit form - your bank will be updated automatically and may also notify you.

You’ll continue to be covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

If you have any questions, please contact us on 0113 386 1000 or get in touch with allpay on 0330 135 9512.

Avoid loan sharks this Christmas!

Christmas can be a stressful time financially, and sometimes people can fall into the trap of loan sharks. Loan sharks prey on those in need, leading to mounting debt and relentless pressure. If you're struggling, reach out to local support services or look for a safer way to borrow, such as a credit union or Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI).

If you think you or someone you know is involved with a loan shark contact StopLoanSharks on 0300 555 2222. 

Shield

Report a loan shark

Visit our Housing Hub! 

Housing Hub

We loved seeing customers at our festive Housing Hub in November! If you couldn't make it, we have two sessions taking place in January! One on the 9 January and the other on 30 January. Come and chat with us about housing support, repairs, income advice and more.

  • Location: Age UK Leeds Bradbury Building, Mark Ln, Leeds LS2 8JA
  • To book an appointment, contact us on 0113 386 1000
  • Appointments are available from 10am - 2.30pm. Walk-ins are welcome!

January’s theme is slow cooking. Pop in to pick up a winter-warmer stew pack, tasty recipe ideas, and be in with a chance to take home a free slow cooker.

There’ll also be refreshments, activities, and lots of support available from our team!

Find out more about the Hub

Support over Christmas

People working at a foodbank

We've put together a handy list of local support available over the Christmas and winter period across Leeds, Kirklees, Wakefield, and North Yorkshire. The list includes things like:

  • free food and clothes
  • warm spaces
  • free and low cost family activities
  • support with mental health
  • financial support

Explore our list of support

Our Money Matters team are here to help

If you're worried about money, rent, benefits or debt, our Money Matters team can offer support and help to keep more money in your pocket. Call us on 0113 386 1000, or email us at moneymatters@lfha.co.uk.

Explore their services

Find your inspiration in the creative corner!

Crafts

Home is about more than just bricks and mortar - it’s about the little things that make it yours. The creative corner is your space to get inspired, and enjoy hobbies that make a house feel like a home.

Here you’ll find ideas for gardening, crafts, recipes, and books - all designed to spark creativity, encourage wellbeing, and help you make the most of your home and community.

Share your tips, recommendations and ideas with others too!

Visit our creative corner

Looking back on a year of engagement

Carousel of photos

 

We've had a busy year connecting with customers in lots of different ways. From our Customer Voices Panel, Time to Talk online sessions, to events in the community every interaction is always the same: listening to views and acting on them, learning and helping people make a home. 

Find out what we've been up to

Festive crafts at Memorial Drive

Crafts at Memorial Drive

 

Customer Engagement Business Partner, Kirsten, joined the Memorial Drive residents at their weekly craft meet-up to host a festive crafts workshop.

The residents made reindeer Christmas crackers and crocheted Christmas trees, and enjoyed them with a plate full of mince pies and cups of tea.

Did you know that you can apply for a Community Grants Fund to help with your local events? You could receive up to £250.

Apply for a Community Grants Fund!

Get rid of unwanted waste the right way

bins

Did you know Leeds City Council offers a large item collection service!

They can collect up to five large items per collection, and you’re allowed four collections a year (April to March). Did you also know that one of these collections is FREE!

AND, if you are on council tax support, you can receive up to 4 free collections a year! If you’re not on council tax support, after your one free collection it then costs £30 per collection.

You can also donate larger items to charities, who often provide a free collection service if the item is in good condition and has its original fireproof label attached to it. This includes Slate Leeds; you can either visit their website or call them on 0113 270 4005 to organise a collection.

For more information on what items the council can collect, and how to book in a collection, visit their website through the link below. 

Visit their website for more information

Keep your plants healthy this winter

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Not sure how to care for your plants over winter? Our Lettings Supervisor and avid gardener, Keely Watson is back with some top tips on how to keep your plants safe from the winter frost.

Head to Your Voice to take a look


Flash feedback - we've got a question for you!

Bell

We've got a question for you!

We've added another question to our Flash Feedback page on Your Voice! We want to know what social media channels you use and where you'd like us to post more news.

Head over to Your Voice and let us know what you think.

Head to Your Voice to respond


In other news

Two people smiling at the camera wearing Atlas FM lanyards

We’re pleased to welcome Atlas FM to the Leeds Federated cleaning team! They're here to help keep communal areas across Leeds, Kirklees and Wakefield clean and well maintained.

Learn more about them and their services


Leeds skyline

We worked with two communities in Leeds to successfully resolve anti-social behaviour and reduce crime. In both communities, local people were fearful about drug use, drug dealing and gang-related crime.

Find out more about how we tackled it


Inspire north building

In September, we proudly attended the opening of Inspire North's latest Hub in Harrogate! We’re partnered with Inspire North to provide accommodation to people facing mental health problems, homelessness, domestic abuse, and resettlement.

Find out more about our partnership


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