Despite tough financial times and government funding cuts, we’re doing everything we can to support our residents through the cost-of-living crisis.
Thousands of households across our borough are already feeling the squeeze, Redbridge Council is working with its partners across the public and voluntary sectors to support you; especially vulnerable people and those hit hardest.
We've set up our Cost of Living Website with useful information on how to manage during this period. Details of the Household Support Fund and drop in sessions across the borough are publicised here under "Cost of Living Events".
The Community Grocery Store based in Ilford is helping to keep families fed and give members access to support too. Annual membership is £5, and members can come and shop in the store for essentials twice a week for just £4 per visit.
Residents' Conference Saturday 14 October 2023
9.30am to 2pm at
City Gates Church 25-29 Clements Road, Ilford, IG1 1BH
We hope you will join us for the annual Residents' Conference for council tenants and leaseholders. During the event we will be discussing the new regulatory framework for building safety, tenant satisfaction measures and resident engagement. The event will also include a Question and Answer session, an opportunity to speak with housing staff and to browse information stands. A hot lunch is also included. We look forward to seeing you there!
To book your free ticket please visit our eventbrite page.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact the Resident Engagement Team or call 020 8708 7629.
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We have started our programme of replacing the front entrance doors of flats with new fire rated doors in our tenanted properties and are currently consulting leaseholders on our proposals to replace non-compliant front entrance doors in flats with compliant fire doors. This is excellent news and is part of our fire safety works across the housing stock.
We are having trouble getting access to some properties. Tenants are being encouraged to agree appointment times with our contractors so that the works can be completed. If you need to arrange an appointment, contact your Housing Officer who will help you to do this.
Thinking of making changes to your door?
Talk to your Housing Officer if you are planning to change your door in any way including:- changing the locks, installing a bell or painting. This will help ensure your door remains compliant and is still safe to use.
From April 2023, the council is required to carry out a yearly inspection of all front entrance doors in flats where a fire rated door is required. This includes all tenanted and leasehold properties and communal doors. If you are asked to provide access for an inspection please do as it is for the safety of you and other residents.
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A series of powerful images highlighting the role police and council enforcement teams are taking to stamp out sexual harassment are now being displayed in 150 key locations across Redbridge.
Catcalling, unwanted touching and sexist comments are in the spotlight as our new campaign, ThisHasToStop, sets out the penalty for men who harass women on our streets.
In a series of uncompromising images, police and enforcement officers pinpoint the offences liable to a £100 fixed fine – or even court action.
If you’ve witnessed someone being harassed, please report it to the police.
You can report an incident directly to the police by:
For more information about support for victims and witnesses of crime and what can be reported to the police, please visit the Metropolitan Police
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Each year we have a budget of £300,000 which we spend on targeted at improving communal areas in our council stock.
Previous projects carried out under this budget include installing entryphone systems, security gates, bollards and knee rails to protect grass areas, lighting improvements, CCTV cameras, refuse improvements and play equipment.
We've already received ideas on how best to improve some of our stock for the 2023/2024 financial year, this includes installing more entryphone systems, looking at disused play areas, refuse improvements and installing knee rails and bollards.
We're still but interested in hearing from our tenants and leaseholders about improvements they would like to see. To submit your ideas please contact your Housing Officer or email housing.enquiries@redbridge.gov.uk
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By law, we are required to carry out regular gas and electrical inspections to check on the safety of our tenanted properties. The majority of tenants allow us access to their homes, however we still have a small number of tenants who are yet to grant us access to their property , which means us having to carry out forced entries.
Forced entries are costly and time consuming and are not the best use of council resources, however we have to carry out these inspections to make sure our properties are safe. Please help us to ensure your homes is safe by providing access to your home for a gas or electrical inspection.
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Between December 2022 and March 2023, we undertook a consultation exercise to better understand the views of our residents in relation to housing
We heard from over 1,000 people and wish to thank everyone who provided their feedback. The feedback received was used to inform our new Housing Strategy that will set out our ambitions for housing in Redbridge over the next five years. This will be presented to Councillors for approval at their cabinet meeting in July.
We are aiming to launch the new Housing Strategy in the next couple of months. It will set out how we deliver housing services, improve homes and build new ones to meet the growing demand across the borough. To read more about our strategy, visit our engagement hub here .
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Did you know as a council tenant you could swap homes with another council tenant or housing association tenant if your landlord agrees to the exchange?
An exchange is a really good way for people to find another property. Make sure the property is right for you - check it out carefully. You will also be swapping your tenancy, so please check any differences between your current home and potential swap. You can find someone to swap with from a postcard in a newsagents to looking at various websites. We've joined House Exchange, which makes it free for you to use. You can also use East London Lettings Company and HomeSwapper.
If you've found someone to swap with, please contact Housing Enquiries to get full permission.
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As you may be aware, there is a shortage of social housing across both the borough and the capital.
We're dong everything we can to help address this shortage through our Affordable Homes Programme, which will see 600 new homes built by 2024
We're also purchasing ex-council homes through our Purchase and Repair Scheme, where we purchase and then repair/refurbish homes before renting the property to one of the many Redbridge families currently in Temporary Accommodation.
If you are thinking of selling your home, please contact Jack Garrod Tel: 0208 708 6684.
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Redbridge Council continues to work with the Regulator of Social Housing to address their concerns on the back of positive meetings.
We also report to them on our performance on damp and mould across our housing stock and recently we have added reporting on our approach to capital investment in the stock to achieve the Decent Homes Standard.
The Council is implementing a new reporting system which will allow us to report on all areas of compliance allowing us to track our performance and maintain set standards.
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Great News!
You can now pay your rent and service charges by Direct Debit on your chosen day of the month and the frequency!
The Council is now using a new Direct Debit provider, AllPay Ltd.
The new service is paperless, which means all you have to do is call one of our officers on the numbers below, and they will do the rest from the comfort of your own home!
The benefits of paying by Direct Debit
- Never miss a rent or service charge payment again
- Choose the date most suitable for you such as your payday or the day you receive your Universal Credit/pension
- Choose the frequency most suitable for you (monthly, fortnightly, weekly)
- Peace of mind
- Never get into arrears again
- Better money management
- All done easily and quickly in one phone call
For more information, or to set-up your direct debit please call
The RentsTeam on 020 8514 2400 then choose option 2, then option 3
For Leaseholders please call The Home Ownership Team on 020 8708 7606
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Our easy to use online repairs tool enables you to request repairs 24/7, from wherever you are.
All you have to do is enter your address, select your problem, give us some information about what’s gone wrong and pick a convenient time for someone to come and fix your issue. All you need is a UK mobile or email address. Reporting repairs online is the fastest, most convenient way of requesting repairs. To request a repair visit our online page
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Norman Road, Ilford, is nearing completion and is scheduled to be handed over to the council by July. We are looking forward to welcoming residents into their new homes in August.
We are hosting regular coffee mornings for some of our sites that are currently under development. These include Shakespeare Square, Little Gearies and Mossford Mews. The coffee mornings give you an opportunity to meet with some of the project team to ask any questions you might have.
Details of the coffee mornings can be found on our Affordable Homes Portal or Let's Talk Redbridge under the relevant project. Alternatively, you can contact the site Resident Liaison Officer or Resident Engagement Officer whose contact details can also be found on the relevant project page on Let's Talk Redbridge.
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With hot weather expected over the coming weeks, we're reminding all tenants and leaseholders not to have barbecues on their balconies or in communal spaces. This will help prevent the starting a fire and jeopardising your own safety but also the safety of your neighbours.
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What to do if you are unhappy with our service
If you wish to talk about a problem with your housing you can speak to one of our friendly Housing Officers. We will try and resolve matters promptly and prevent them from escalating.
To contact your Housing Officer please call 020 8518 2400 and ask to speak to your Housing Officer, giving your address. You will then be put through to either your Housing Officer or the duty Housing Officer. Alternatively, you can email housing.enquiries@redbridge.gov.uk
If you wish to make a complaint, you can inform one of our team, although the quickest and easiest way to make a complaint is by completing the online complaints form.
Did you know you can contact the Housing Ombudsman at any time for support in helping to resolve a complaint? The Housing Ombudsman Service is set up by law and is free, independent and impartial.
For advice and help to find a resolution you can contact the Housing Ombudsman at any time whilst your complaint is going through our complaints process, although the Ombudsman cannot make a formal decision on a case at this stage.
Please visit the Housing Ombudsman for more information, including contact details.
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Where possible, we provide recycling services to flats via large recycling bins. We all have a responsibility to recycle more for the future of our environment and to reduce the huge amount of waste that goes to landfill sites.
Our estate facilities have 2 types of recycling bins.
- Mixed recycling bins where you can recycle:
- Plastic bottles (no other type of plastic, anything shaped as a bottle only)
- Tins
- Cans
- Container glass
- Plastic food packaging pots, tubs and trays
Paper and cardboard bins where you can recycle:
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Brochures
- Directories
- Junk mail
- Envelopes
- Letters
- Flattened card and cardboard
Recycling guidelines (Do's and Don'ts)
Please do not leave your recycling next to the bin; this is untidy, causes a mess/litter as well as being difficult to collect. Please place all recyclable material in the bins provided. If the bin is full, please place your recycling in the bins for regular refuse.
The bins are locked and have small holes/slots to prevent them from being contaminated with normal/food waste so it is important to flatten your waste items.
Please flatten cardboard boxes or tear into smaller pieces. Rinse and squash bottles, tins and cans to save space. If the bins are frequently full, we may be able to provide larger bins.
Please avoid parking near or in front of recycling or refuse bins as this could block access for the collection team.
Only recycle the materials listed above; adding other materials contaminates the bin and it will not be emptied. A special collection will have to be arranged which will take time and additional resources.
If there are no recycling bins on your estate it is probably because there is no suitable location for these.
The housing service does not manage collections of recycled waste which take place every two weeks.
Do not leave furniture, white goods or other bulky items by the recycling or refuse bins.
More information is available online regarding Bulky Waste and where to find your nearest public recycling site.
If you require further advice regarding a waste collection or waste issue please email housing.enquiries@redbridge.gov.uk or call 020 8518 2300.
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What is the digital phone switchover?
The UK’s telephone network is changing. Between now and 2025 most telephone providers will be moving their customers from old analogue landlines over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology. This means services that rely on the old landline system such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.
Do you or someone you know depend on their landline and/or use a telecare device connected to a phone line such as a fall monitor, lifeline or personal alarm? If yes, contact your telcoms provider (Virgin Media, 02 or BT) so that they can advise on how the switch might affect the service of the devices or home phone.
Your telecoms provider should contact you before the switchover to check in and discuss what you need to do to make sure your service isn’t affected.
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Resident Housing Panel: Tuesday 26 July (6.30pm - 8pm)
Leaseholder Forum: Tuesday 18 July (6.30pm - 8pm)
Asset Management Group: Wednesday 2 August (6pm - 8pm)
Residents' Conference: Saturday 14 October (9.30am - 2pm)
If you would like to participate in one of the above meetings or event, please email the Resident Engagement Team
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