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The Tenant Perception Survey is now open for 25-26! |
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 Please take a couple of minutes to share your views in our Tenant Perception Survey – your feedback is valuable and will help us to shape and improve our future services.
The Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) have been introduced to drive up standards and improve the quality of social housing by ensuring housing providers are accountable for the services delivered to customers. 12 of the 22 measures come directly from our customer feedback obtained through tenant perception surveys.
You can view previous year's results on our website.
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Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) |
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From November 2025 all landlords must ensure that electrical inspections and tests are carried out every five years to each of the homes that they let.
In the past two years we have been working towards meeting this requirement by carrying out testing and upgrading electrical installations in all homes that we manage.
We want to say a huge thank you to all residents who have supported us by providing access for both appointments and any follow-up work. Your cooperation has played a big part in helping us stay on schedule, which means we have also been able to focus on other improvements across our communities.
If you have recently received a letter or telephone call from Dodds Electrical, about an upcoming appointment, please make sure to respond promptly and allow access — it really helps us keep things moving and ensures we can keep everyone safe.
If you do not have or would like a copy of your electrical certificate, please email repairsadmin@oadby-wigston.gov.uk quoting your name and address following by 'elec-cert'.
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Get involved in our Tenant and Leaseholder group! |
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As a group of tenants and leaseholders the group will work together to review and improve the services provided by the Housing Team. We want to make sure that your voices are heard and that you help drive a positive change in the landlord services that you receive.
Who can join?
- The group is open to all of our tenants and leaseholders
- No experience needed – just a willingness to share your views!
Why should you join?
- Have a direct say in how services like repairs, maintenance, and tenant support are managed
- Work alongside other like-minded residents and be part of discussions
- Help shape real improvements in your community
- Develop your knowledge and understanding of landlord services.
For more information, please email tenancy@oadby-wigston.gov.uk or call (0116) 288 8961 and ask to speak with Trina.
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Door replacement programme at Churchill Close |
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 We are currently carrying out a main door replacement programme at Churchill Close, and doors are being upgraded to fire-rated doors as part of our commitment to providing safe homes.
Alongside enhancing fire protection and ensuring compliance with current safety standards, the new doors will also contribute to refreshing the look and feel of the block, creating a more welcoming environment.
As part of this programme, we organised a resident engagement day alongside Ventro Fire Compliance and invited residents to join us for tea and cake in the garden area. This event enabled us to get residents' views on the process of the door replacement programme, colour schemes and an opportunity to ask us questions. By working together, we aim to deliver improvements that reflect the needs and priorities of the community.
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Churchill Close Clean Up Day |
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 Our clean up days came to Churchill Close, Oadby, in June!
Our clean up events give tenants the chance to throw away any items they no longer need, and ensure that the communal areas are clear of all items in line with our Communal Area Management Policy.
Council staff from across the Housing, Tenancy & Estates teams came along, as well as our Financial Inclusion Officer who was on hand to offer residents advice. Councillor Bill Boulter also supported the event, helping us with clearing items from the blocks of flats to dispose of in the skips provided.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) also attended and were able to give advice to individual tenants regarding fire safety in their home. It was fantastic for our residents to get together and share an ice cream in the sunshine and enjoy the day.
A successful event and fun had by all!
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Meet the team - Helen & Lizz |
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You've probably spotted members of our team out and about on your estate, so we thought we'd introduce them in this newsletter, starting with:
Helen Pitcher - Estate Caretaker
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I have worked for OWBC for just over a year now, and in my current position of estates caretaker for just over two weeks. I have really enjoyed getting involved in my first clean-up day and getting to chat with the residents there. It gives you a sense of pride to be helping the community and keeping everything running smoothly! I look forward to many more events.
I have been married to Matt for nine years and we have a son, Chester who is four!
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Lizz Keane - Estate Cleaner
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I have worked for OWBC for 6 years as a cleaner. As well as the cleaning I support the caretaking team, undertaking fly-tip runs, raising the team's jobs on our internal systems and fire alarm testing. I also try to attend as many clean up days as I can as I love the engagement with our residents.
Outside of work I am married to Dale and together we have a 15 year old daughter. If you see me out and about come over and say hi!
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Mutual exchange with House Exchange |
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Mutual Exchanges allow our tenants to swap their property with another tenant to enable them to move to a more suitable property to meet their housing need - which may be quicker than the choice-based waiting list.
Typical reasons for moving are downsizing, overcrowding, to be nearer to family or work and due to affordability, such as lower rent or not paying bedroom tax for an unused bedroom. You can swap with another council tenant or a housing association tenant.
We subscribe to House Exchange, which is free for our secure tenants to use. Further information, including videos and guides on how to make your home more attractive to find someone to exchange with is available on the House Exchange website.
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Once you have found someone to exchange with, who is in a council or Housing Association property, please contact the tenancy team who will explain the process to you in more detail. Please be aware that:
- You must complete our house exchange form to start the process with us and obtain our permission to exchange
- The tenancy team will take you through the process of completing the exchange. There may be some situations when a mutual exchange may not be able to proceed.
You must not move until you receive official permission from your landlord.
House Exchange also has an app to make it easier for you to search for properties, view your matches and search with other home-swappers on the move. The app is currently available on iPhone, and you can download it on the App Store.
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Boiler replacement programme |
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The Housing Team have commissioned a boiler replacement programme for 2026-26, designed to ensure the ongoing reliability and efficiency of boilers across our housing stock.
70 boilers have been identified as either aging or containing obsolete parts, which increases the risk of boiler breakdowns and repairs. By addressing these issues early, we aim to minimise downtime, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and enhance safety across our properties.
Our contractor Sureserve will be carrying out the work and will be upgrading 6-7 boilers each month.
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Compliments, comments and complaints |
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Don't forget to update your contact details! |
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We are constantly looking at ways to improve communication and our transparency with tenants. Where possible we have moved to communicating with tenants via text, email, or telephone call. It is quicker and easier and helps us to reduce our carbon footprint.
If your email or phone number has changed or if you are unsure on what details we currently hold, please email us at tenancy@oadby-wigston.gov.uk stating your name, address, and if you want to update you: landline number, mobile number or email address and we will ensure our records are fully updated.
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The Department of Work and Pension (DWP) plan to move all the remaining legacy benefit claimants to Universal Credit by the end of March 2026, with the DWP contacting all the remaining claimants by December 2025.
If you currently claim one of the following legacy benefits, you will be asked to move to Universal Credit:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
If you have not already moved to Universal Credit, you will receive a Migration Notice Letter, which will advise Universal Credit is replacing your existing benefits. It will confirm when you need to claim by, for example, 1 September 2025. Failure to comply will result in your benefits stopping.
Once you receive your letter advising you to apply for Universal Credit, please action the request as soon as possible to prevent any rental debt building up.
Please ensure you when you confirm your rent, that you advise them there are 4 rent free weeks.
You can contact Universal Credit through your online account or by calling the Universal Credit helpline:
- Universal Credit helpline: Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Your Universal Credit payment for your rent will be paid directly to you, therefore please contact the Income Team to confirm how you will be making your rental payments.
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