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Welcome to our first Winter edition of the Home Digital Newsletter! We are pleased to provide you with the latest news, upcoming events, and important updates to keep you informed about your home and community.
In this Newsletter we talk about:
What are Scheduled Repairs?
We run a scheduled repairs timetable for non-urgent repairs, like dripping taps or broken cupboards, that we complete during planned visits to your area. We complete scheduled repairs within 9 weeks.
Why this system works for you:
- Fewer Missed Appointments: Our teams work in different areas at set times, making it easier to keep to scheduled plans.
- One Visit Fixes: We plan our repairs so the right tools and materials are on hand.
- Reliable Service: You'll know exactly when we're working in your area. See the link below for the upcoming schedule.
We also prioritise repairs for vulnerable tenants to make sure their needs are met quickly. For more information please call 01522 873333.
Download the calendar of works September 2024 to August 2025 which shows when repairs are due to be carried out in your area
To report a repair please click here.
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 At the City of Lincoln Council, we are committed to ensuring that all our tenants live in safe and healthy homes. Damp and mould can be a significant concern, and we are here to help you address these issues effectively.
Damp and mould can occur in any home, particularly in areas with poor ventilation or heating. Common signs include condensation on windows or walls, rising damp at the base of walls, and penetrating damp on walls or ceilings.
To help reduce damp and mould in your home, here are some quick tips:
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Reduce moisture: Use lids on saucepans while cooking to minimise steam.
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Dry clothes outside: Whenever possible, dry clothes outside or in a well-ventilated room.
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Ventilation: Open windows or use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to allow moisture to escape.
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Keep vents clear: Ensure that air vents are not blocked to maintain good airflow and prevent moisture build-up.
If you notice signs of damp or mould, please report it to us as soon as possible. We can arrange for an officer to inspect your home and provide advice on managing and reducing damp and mould. For more information please click here to watch a short video clip.
To report an issue with damp or mould, please visit our website and fill out the form or click here.
The Regulator of Social Housing has created a new system for assessing how well social housing landlords in England are doing at providing good quality homes and services. This involves a set of Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) that social housing landlords must report on, completed via a survey.
The survey was carried out by an independent market research company – Acuity Research and Practice. It focused on how happy you (as the tenants) are with the way City of Lincoln Council maintains your home and delivers key services.
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To find out how well we have performed, please go to our website by clicking here
And finally, a big thank you to everyone who took part in the survey this year.
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During the Tenant Satisfaction Measures interviews, tenants expressed dissatisfaction with our response to antisocial behaviour (ASB). We have taken your feedback seriously and are piloting a new structure for Tenancy Services.
We have been making improvements to our processes and to the case management system we use so that we can record a wider range of issues. The categories of ASB, nuisance and other tenancy breaches have been expanded meaning we can improve recording, managing and reporting on cases. The new teams are taking a much more proactive approach to quickly responding to complainants and assessing the information provided. We are looking at any new ways we can to make it easier for people to record and report problems to us.
Additionally, we have introduced a new form on our website for reporting anti-social behaviour incidents. To find out more click here.
Fire safety is a critical aspect of community well-being, and the City of Lincoln Council is committed to ensuring the highest standards of fire safety for all residents and visitors. By ensuring compliance with legislation and adopting best practice we aim to maintain a safer environment for everyone.
The City of Lincoln Council has developed a comprehensive Building Safety Resident Engagement Strategy to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. This action plan can be viewed here.
In addition, Lincoln Tenants Panel have been working alongside us to create fire safety leaflets which highlight how to prevent a fire, what to do in case of a fire, and general safety tips. By working together, the council wants to make homes safer for everyone.
For more tips on keeping your property fire safe, please visit the government website or click here.
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 We take our fire safety responsibilities seriously, but we need the help of all tenants living in our properties with communal areas to help us do this.
It is important that any items or rubbish must not be stored in communal or shared areas because they are at risk of catching fire, blocking escape routes or creating trip hazards for people trying to leave.
Rubbish needs to be taken straight to bins provided and bulky waste items taken to the tip, or you can use the bulky waste collection service Bulky Waste Collection - West Lindsey District Council - Information - Section 1 - Self Service Portal . All your belongings need to either be stored in your property or a shed if you have one.
If items are left in communal areas, you will be asked to remove the hazard and if you don't, the cost of disposal will be charged to you.
If you see items left in your communal areas, you should report the problem to your Housing Officer either by emailing tenancyandestates@lincoln.gov.uk or ringing 01522 881188
Why Your Annual Gas Safety Check Is Essential
Keeping your home warm and safe is a priority, and one of the ways to ensure this is by having an annual gas safety check. This check is crucial for making sure your boiler is running efficiently and that there are no gas leaks or issues with your heating system.
We have a Legal Duty to carry out an annual service on all your gas heating appliances - Please help us by allowing our qualified engineers access to your property to carry out these important safety checks on your central heating appliances. If you have a gas meter, please check there is credit available as we need this to perform the service.
Thank you for your help!
Please see the below troubleshooting and helpful instructional videos (Please scroll down to the trouble shooting section on the website):
Need help or Quick Fixes | Sureserve Group
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 The importance of Your 5-yearly Electrical Safety Check
Keeping your home’s electrical system in good condition is crucial for safety and efficiency - we need to visit your home to conduct a Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to ensure it meets the BS:7671 Electrical Wiring Regulations. The entire process will take about 2-3 hours.
When a qualified electrical engineer visits your home, they will:
- Check the condition of the fixed wiring within your property.
- Inspect the consumer unit and all outlets.
To ensure the safety of you and those around you, please allow access to complete these Safety Checks at the point of contact from Aaron Services. Please ensure your electric meter has credit, as we need this to perform the service.
For your information in January 2025, you may see some changes in the branding of our Aaron Services engineers’ uniforms and vans over the coming months as they transition from Aaron Services to Sureserve Compliance. Please rest assured, it will still be the local teams delivering our services and supporting you in your homes.
What are void properties?
Void properties refer to properties that are currently unoccupied or vacant. These properties might be undergoing repairs, awaiting new tenants, or in the process of being re-let.
The City of Lincoln Council is committed to keeping our tenants informed about any updates on our void properties. These properties need to be managed efficiently to ensure they are quickly brought back into use which will contribute to the overall housing supply and maintaining the high standard of Lincoln.
From October - December 2024, we have recorded a total of 119 void properties that were re-let. Here is a breakdown of the types of properties:
- 1 Bed Flat - 57
- 2 Bed House - 20
- 3 Bed House - 13
- 2 Bed Flat - 13
- 1 Bed Bungalow - 8
- Sheltered Bedsit - 6
- 2 Bed Bungalow - 1
- General needs Bedsit - 1
We understand the importance of providing stable housing and our voids team are working hard to reduce the turnaround time for these properties, ensuring they are ready for new tenants as soon as possible. We carry out regular inspections and repairs to make sure that they are ready for the new tenants.
 Rough sleeping means having to sleep outside because there is no home to go to. This can include sleeping on the streets, in parks, or in places not meant for living, like cars or abandoned buildings.
People who sleep rough face many challenges. They might not have enough food, warm clothes, or a safe place to stay. This can lead to health problems and make it hard for them to find a job or get back on their feet.
The City of Lincoln Council is committed to helping rough sleepers by providing emergency shelters where they can stay warm and safe. We also offer food, clothes, and other essentials. Our goal is to help them find long-term homes and get the support they need to stay off the streets.
Helping rough sleepers is important because everyone deserves a safe place to live. By working together, we can make sure everyone in our community has a safe place to call home. If you see someone sleeping rough in Lincoln, please call the team on 01522 873351 or email: lincolnroughsleeping@lincoln.gov.uk’
Resident Involvement is at the heart of our commitment to delivering high quality-housing services, and without your input it would be difficult to provide quality services to tenants that meet your expectations.
We understand that not everyone has the time to join a group, and that is why the City of Lincoln Council offers several different ways for tenants to get involved
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Online Surveys: Share your opinions and feedback from the comfort of your home.
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Task and Finish Groups: Participate in focused groups that work on specific projects or issues.
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Group Discussions: Engage in discussions with other tenants and council representatives to voice your ideas.
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Lincoln Tenants Panel (LTP): Join this panel to have a more direct impact on housing policies and decisions.
If you'd like to find out more about getting involved click here. or email tenant.participation@lincoln.gov.uk.
 Lincoln Tenants’ Panel (LTP) is a group of tenants and leaseholders from across the city that aim to ensure your views are represented and considered when decisions are made. LTP meet to discuss current issues that are affecting you and to monitor and review the council’s service delivery and performance.
It has been an exciting and busy time for the LTP working with the resident involvement team, tenancy services, investment, and housing repairs service in 2024 and have contributed to reviewing:
- Incentive to downsize scheme.
- Grounds maintenance contract renewal
- Assisted garden scheme.
- Anti-social behaviours’ procedures
- 30-year business plan
- Estate inspection review
Mick Barber, Chair of the LTP explains why LTP is important.
“We have worked hard to ensure we are the voice for the tenants of City of Lincoln Council - working together with the City of Lincoln Council housing service, LTP's recommendations have been implemented to enhance the services tenants receive. We are looking forward to a busy 2025 and have started to create the 2025 – 2028 resident involvement strategy. We currently have vacant seats on the LTP – If you would like to help us to make a difference, please email LTP@lincoln.gov.uk or click here. We look forward to hearing from you!”
 Join Us and Make a Difference!
Would you like to make a positive impact within our community? We need people like you to help shape our services.
We’re looking for enthusiastic tenants to join our specialised working groups. Here are the opportunities where you can get involved:
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Lincoln Tenants Panel (LTP): Contribute your ideas to enhance our housing services.
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Anti-Social Behaviour Working Group: Work with us to create a safer and friendlier community.
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Gardening Working Group: Help shape our garden services.
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Website Working Group: Help us make our website more user-friendly and informative.
If any of these opportunities sound interesting to you, we would be delighted to have you join us! Please complete our online form, select your preferred group, and we will contact you shortly.
Register your interest by clicking here.
LEAP is a completely FREE OF CHARGE service that works in partnership with the council to help reduce your energy usage and keep you warm and cosy. Click here to find out more.
How it works: If you are eligible, one of their friendly, qualified advisers can:
- Check your energy bills to ensure you are not paying too much for your energy.
- Give you hints and tips to reduce the amount of energy you use and ensure your heating system is set up to keep you warm and save money.
- Refer you for further funded improvements to keep your home warm e.g. insulation and heating systems.
- Provide FREE, simple energy saving measures, which can save the average household £30 on their energy bills a year.
- Arrange a FREE appointment to help with benefits, debt and other money problems.
We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please share your feedback on our digital newsletter. You can do this by clicking here.
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