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Tenant Satisfaction Measures now available |
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 The Tenant Satisfaction Measures 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.
Our latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures results are now available to view on our website.
The Tenant Perception Survey is now open for 2026-27!
Please take a couple of minutes to share your views – your feedback is valuable and will help us to shape and improve our future services.
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Don't forget we are moving to Homeswapper! |
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 Don't forget that from 31 July, we will no longer be using House Exchange for mutual exchanges.
We are moving to HomeSwapper, the UK’s largest online mutual exchange service. HomeSwapper helps council and housing association tenants find suitable home swaps and is free for all eligible tenants.
If you are currently registered with House Exchange, please be aware that you will need to create a new account on HomeSwapper to continue using a mutual exchange service.
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Thank you to everyone who is following our Communal Area Management Policy, your cooperation makes a real difference in keeping our blocks safe for all residents.
Don't forget that all items left in communal areas will be removed and charges will be applicable to retrieve these items back. Items not retrieved will be disposed of.
The charge will be a £50 fee to cover the cost of removing, storing, and returning of any items left in communal areas.
If you have any questions, please contact estates@oadby-wigston.gov.ukestates@oadby-wigston.gov.uk
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Estate walkarounds and events |
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 It has been a busy start to the financial year, with several community activities already underway. We have carried out Estate Walkarounds at both Marriott House and Churchill Close, giving tenants the chance to share their concerns, raise issues and put forward ideas. These walkarounds are an important way for us to listen and take action where needed.
Thanks to your feedback, a number of issues have already been identified and resolved, including damp and mould, blocked guttering, overgrown ivy and hedges, and foliage causing damage to a garage roof.
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In addition to the estate walkaround we held our first big event at Boulter Crescent, where we had a BBQ and with a guided walk planned. The sunshine had other ideas regarding the walk and left everyone drained, so we had a go at archery instead!
This was well received by the residents and also gave us an opportunity to engage and take away issues raised by tenants.
Community Activities
Your Housing Officer, Claire Mushen, has also been working closely with the Local Area Coordinator to bring more activities and events to our schemes. Most recently, residents at William Peardon Court enjoyed a mosaic coaster‑making session. The event was very well received, with plenty of creativity and it was wonderful to see residents who do not usually take part getting involved and giving it a go.
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We understand that the cost of living continues to rise, and many households are feeling the pressure. If you are struggling with rent payments, please do not ignore your arrears. Reaching out early makes a big difference, and our Income Team is here to help.
You can email the team at income.team@oadby-wigston.gov.uk or call 0116 288 8961.
How We Can Support You
- We can work with you to create a manageable payment plan to reduce your arrears.
- We can offer guidance on Universal Credit and Housing Benefit.
- Keeping arrears low makes it easier to stay in control of your finances.
Paying your rent on time helps us continue providing essential services including ensuring the Repairs Team can plan and deliver the work needed across our homes.
Ways to Pay Your Rent
- Direct Debit
- Standing Order
- Online payments
- Pay Zone or Post Office using the barcode on your rent statement
- Income Team
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Beware of housing disrepair 'claim farmers' |
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 We are aware that some of our tenants have been approached by companies encouraging them to make housing disrepair claims against the council with the promise of compensation.
Claim farmers are organisations which target areas including Oadby & Wigston, and go door to door looking for potential Housing Disrepairs claims that they can sell on to law firms. They may claim to be working for us to gain your trust and gain access to your home. These firms are not associated with Oadby & Wigston Borough Council, nor are they working on our behalf.
In some cases, this has put tenants at serious financial risk. Depending on the agreement you sign with a solicitor or claims company, you may be liable for certain costs if you withdraw from the claim or breach the agreement.
Please think carefully before signing anything – do not be misled or bullied into it.
Making a complaint
If you are unhappy with the repairs service, or are thinking of making a claim due to disrepair, mould or damp then please contact us first. We will work with you to put things right.
You can report a repair or make a complaint to our team by:
Housing Ombudsman
You can contact the Housing Ombudsman at any time. The Ombudsman can consider complaints about housing organisations
You can learn more and contact the Housing Ombudsman here.
Please be aware of the following:
All council staff and contractors appointed by the council carry identification. Always ask for identification and, if unsure, do not allow them to enter your home. You can call us on 0116 288 8961 to verify their identity. Contact the police if you feel unsafe.
If you do make a claim and unauthorised alterations or damage caused by you or visitors to your home are identified during the investigation, you may be charged for the cost of putting that right.
If you do make a claim which is successful, any debts you owe to the council (e.g. rent arrears) may be deducted from any compensation paid to you. This may mean you get no money in your hand if your debts exceed the value of your claim.
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Housing application renewal update |
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We are continuing our Housing Register renewal programme, which began in August 2025.
Each month, we contact customers who have been on the Housing Register for a year or more (based on their original application date). If this applies to you, you will receive an email asking you to review and renew your application. This helps make sure your information is accurate and that any changes to your circumstances are recorded.
Important: You will have 28 days from the date you receive the renewal email to complete the process. If the renewal is not completed within this timeframe, your application will be cancelled, and you will not be able to bid on properties.
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Survey feedback and you said, we did! |
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In 2025-26, Quarter 4, we received 63 comments from tenants through our Tenant Perception Surveys, these included:
- 22 compliments
- 6 general comments
- 35 actionable comments
As part of this quarter’s feedback, we received 22 compliments from our tenants, some of these were:
- Happy with service that has been provided
- Huge thank you to all housing, loves new property and couldn't be happier. Thank you to groundsmen who are lovely and so friendly. Can't fault anything
- We are a small council, but I think that helps the council understand its stock and people very well
We always appreciate hearing from you, your comments help us improve the services we provide and ensure your housing experience is the best it can be.
You said, we did
We also took action this quarter in response to feedback received through tenant complaints, putting measures in place to address the issues raised. Below are a few examples:
You said: Some tenants told us they were unhappy with how their ASB concerns were being handled and felt they were not receiving enough support.
We did: We strengthened our communication approach to make sure tenants receive regular updates throughout investigations.
You said: Some tenants told us they were unhappy with the level of communication from our contractor.
We did: We raised this with the contractor and reminded them of the Code of Conduct expected when visiting OWBC properties and when speaking with tenants and residents.
You said: You told us you were unhappy with how matters relating to garage applications were being managed, including situations where a tenant may have allowed someone else to use their allocated garage space.
We did: We reviewed these concerns with a view to investigate any cases where a garage space may have been used by someone other than the allocated tenant, so we could consider any appropriate action.
You Said: A resident told us they were finding it difficult to use the steps at the front of their property and were concerned about accessing their home safely.
We Did: We assessed the issue and arranged for a handrail to be installed to improve access and safety for the resident.
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