Season's Greetings from Tuntum Housing - Housing Registration Surgeries 2019 - Tuntum Housing Association
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Season’s Greetings
from Tuntum Housing
Housing News From Asset
Registration Refugee Management
Surgeries 2019 Futures News
Page 5 Page 7 A call for action from Barrington
Page 8
Ask
Debbie...
Q: My circumstances have changed; my children
have grown up and no longer live in the family
home. How can I get a smaller property?
A: Have you heard of homeswapper? Homeswapper is the UK’s leading
mutual exchange service for Council and Housing Association Tenants, with over 500,000
tenants registered and looking to swap homes for many reasons, such as needing more or less
space, relocating due to work, or to be closer to family. Homeswapper is a great option for
social housing tenants.
To register log on to www.homeswapper.co.uk. Once registered the system will generate a list
of properties that meet the criteria you are looking for. It gives you more control and means you
can choose a home in an area you want to live.
Other options available: Quite often-social housing tenants post properties for a swap
on facebook. Also, speaking with family and friends who may know of somebody in
a similar situation to you. You can also contact your Local Authority and see if you can
re-register with them.
The UK’s largest community
for mutual exchange
HomeSwapper allows you to:
• See how close a match your home is with a % match
• View who’s liked your home
• Avoid timewasters with helpful profile badges
• Message with real-time chat
• See if another swapper is online.
43,000 200,000 Over
14,000 multiswaps 95% live adverts
new members
created of tenants use
HomeSwapper
for free
540
partner
each month
landlords
2
Join today at www.homeswapper.co.uk
Keep up to date with Tuntum news and announcements - follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TuntumHA
More New Homes
on the Horizon
We thought you’d like to know about our new
developments which will provide another 92 new homes
for our communities.
The new schemes are:
Cox’s Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse West Terrace, Ilkeston will have 10
will have a total of 31 new homes: 18 new homes at affordable rent to be
affordable rent, 9 shared-ownership, completed by June 2020.
and 4 rent to buy. The forecast
Off Woodborough Road/Lupin
handover dates are currently to be
Close, Nottingham. We have
completed and finished between
submitted a planning application
January - March 2020.
for 28 new homes at affordable
Beauvale Drive, Cotmanhay rent just. We are still waiting for
will have 23 new homes at results of the planning permission
affordable rent. Completion date to be released.
not yet available.
Look out for more updates on when these are going to be completed
and images on our next issue of engage.
Rent payments
made
EASY
choose your way to pay...
On a date that Over the phone, With cash over
suits you Through the allpay online or by text the counter
0844 557 8321 At any PayPoint or Post Office
Call or speak to your Payment App allpayments.net using your Payment
housing association allpay.net/allpay-payment-app allpayments.net/textpay Reference Card
3
TUNTUM ENGAGE | WINTER 2019
End your tenancy
the right way!
We have noticed an increase in the number of properties that
are returned to us in a poor condition. Unfortunately,
when this happens we have to spend additional
money on cleaning and clearing the property.
We want to remind all tenants of their responsibilities and steps
that you need to follow when ending your tenancy.
At the beginning of your tenancy with us, you agreed to the
following terms and conditions:
• To give us at least four weeks’ notice in writing (expiring at
Midnight on a Sunday) when you want to end the Agreement.
• To remove all furniture, personal possessions and rubbish and
leave your home and our fixtures and fittings in a clean and
lettable condition.
If you do not clear the premises completely, or if we clear it because
you fail to do so, you will be responsible for paying the costs of
removing and if necessary, disposing of your belongings.
Below is some advice on how you can avoid charges at the end of
your tenancy:
1. Give the association four weeks’ notice to end your tenancy
in writing to end your tenancy. Ensure that this notice begins
on a Monday and ends on a Sunday.
2. Report any outstanding repairs that are required to the
property before the tenancy ends.
3. Arrange for all unwanted bulky items to be removed from the
property before the tenancy ends.
4. Take any unwanted clothing to charity shops before the
tenancy ends.
5. Do a final cut/weed in the garden before you leave.
6. Ensure that you place the correct items in your wheelie bins to avoid
contamination.
7. Ensure that all carpets and flooring are removed.
8. Check that all personal belongings have been removed on the date that your tenancy ends.
9. Do a one off clean prior to handing in your keys.
10. Ensure that you return the keys by 12 noon on the Monday following your end of tenancy date.
Your local council may be able to assist with collecting unwanted items. Some local authorities offer this
service free of charge. They can be contacted using the following numbers:
Nottingham City Bulky Waste Rushcliffe – 0115 9819911 Leicester – 0116 4541002
– 0115 9152000 Charnwood – 01509634563 Mansfield – 01623463463
Hinckley & Bosworth Erewash – 0115 9072244 Ashfield – 08001838484
– 01455238141
Derby – 03332006981
The British Red Cross can also assist with the collection of specialist equipment. They can be contacted
directly on 0845 127 2911.
If you require further advice about the process that you should follow when ending your tenancy
then please contact the housing team on 01159166066 or via email at housing@tuntum.co.uk.
4 Keep up to date with Tuntum news and announcements - follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TuntumHA
TUNTUM ENGAGE | WINTER 2019
2020 Rent
increase
advanced
notice
Pay rent first! The Government has announced
that social housing rents will rise by
As Christmas nears your expenditure the consumer price index plus 1%
will rise as you will want to purchase from 2020-2025. The 4 year rent
gifts and food for friends and relatives cut programme has now ended.
to celebrate the festive season. What does that mean
It is important that you ensure that your rent is for Tuntum tenants?
2.7%
paid first! This means a rent increase
Don’t risk losing your home… of 2.7% from the 6th April
If you are struggling with payments or debt then 2020 (Shared ownership
please contact us on 01159166066. Our trained staff tenants is based on a
will be able to offer some advice and support. different calculation).
Housing Options Registration Surgery
This is a drop in surgery and there will be no Interpretation services available, please arrange for
a family member or friend to come along to support you. Please bring along proof of your current
address, signature and photographic identification if you wish to register with Nottingham HomeLink
February 2020 Strelley Road Library, 14 Strelley Road, Nottingham NG8 3BJ 9:30am - 12:30pm Tue 25th Feb
March 2020 (Aimed at Winwood Court, Winchester Street,Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 4DX 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 11th Mar
55+ on PIP/DLA or 60+)
St Anns Valley Centre, 2 Livingstone Road Off The Wells Road,
March 2020 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 25th Mar
Nottingham NG3 3GG
April 2020 Strelley Road Library, 14 Strelley Road Nottingham NG8 3BJ 9:30am - 12:30pm Tue 28th Apr
St Anns Valley Centre, 2 Livingstone Road Off The Wells Road,
May 2020 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 20th May
Nottingham NG3 3GG
June 2020 (Aimed at 55+ Strelley Court, Strelley Road Strelley Nottingham NG8 6LL 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 10th Jun
on PIP/DLA or 60+)
June 2020 Strelley Road Library, 14 Strelley Road Nottingham NG8 3BJ 9:30am - 12:30pm Tue 23rd Jun
St Anns Valley Centre, 2 Livingstone Road Off The Wells Road,
July 2020 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 29th Jul
Nottingham NG3 3GG
AUGUST 2020 NO SURGERY SCHOOL BREAK
September 2020
(Aimed at 55+ on PIP/DLA Simone Gardens, Southchurch Drive Clifton Nottingham NG11 8BG 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 9th Sep
or 60+)
St Anns Valley Centre, 2 Livingstone Road Off The Wells Road,
September 2020 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 23rd Sep
Nottingham NG3 3GG
October 2020 Strelley Road Library, 14 Strelley Road Nottingham NG8 3BJ 9:30am - 12:30pm Tue 27th Oct
St Anns Valley Centre, 2 Livingstone Road Off The Wells Road,
November 2020 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 18th Nov
Nottingham NG3 3GG
December 2020 (Aimed Naomi Court, Naomi Crescent, Hucknall Lane, Bulwell Nottingham NG6 8EG 10:00am - 3:00pm Wed 2nd Dec
at 55+ on PIP/DLA or 60+)
December 2020 Strelley Road Library, 14 Strelley Road Nottingham NG8 3BJ 9:30am - 12:30pm Tue 8th Dec
Please be patient if you have to wait when you arrive, as we see everyone in turn.
We look forward to seeing you.
5
Good Neighbours?
Let’s Be Reasonable
All Tuntum residents sign up to the Good Neighbour Agreement when they move
into their homes, as well as the Tenancy Agreement, which is the legal contract.
The Good Neighbour Agreement asks that all residents should respect each other, and treat others, as they
would expect to be treated.
Sometimes, a misunderstanding about different Often, the issues can be dealt with before
lifestyles can lead to disagreements between approaching Tuntum for advice.
neighbours.
For example, Mr A works night shifts. He goes to bed
Some examples of lifestyle differences are as follows: at around 9.00 in the morning after finishing his shift
at 6.00 a.m. His neighbour, Miss B, works part-time,
Noise caused by leaving home at 1.00 p.m. If there is any laundry to
Children playing
normal living be done, Miss B will put the washing machine on at
around 10.00 a.m., and have a quick vacuum round.
Religious and
Cooking Smells Miss B is not aware Mr A works night shifts, or that her
cultural practice
washing machine can be heard in his property. After
Bins and Recycling Lifestyle clashes being woken up for the third morning in a row, just as
he had got off to sleep, Mr A decided he would have to
Parties, celebrations speak with Miss B. She had been totally unaware that
DIY activities
& barbeques there had been a problem and both parties managed
to reach an agreement that Miss A would start to use
Fireworks Smoking
the washing machine on returning home from work
Neighbour and the school run, at around 6.00 p.m.
Inconsiderate parking
disagreements
We understand that all matters cannot be dealt with as
Anti-social behaviour is defined as nuisance, but
simply and reasonably as this.
what is annoying to one person can be acceptable
to another. If you are having a problem with one of The majority of Tuntum’s properties are very close to
your neighbours, take some time out, and consider each other, with some being flats. Standard buildings
whether the behaviour is anti-social, before deciding do not allow for soundproofing, and an amount of
how to tackle it. Ask yourself if you are being ordinary household noise can often be heard through
reasonable? adjoining walls.
Your Good Neighbour Agreement can be used as a tool to help you to determine what is unreasonable
behaviour. Some examples of what is unreasonable are:
Targeting old and Lack of consideration
Blocking driveways
vulnerable residents toward neighbours
Not taking responsibility Leaving bulky waste and household
Allowing unruly behaviour
for children’s behaviour, rubbish on the street without making
from guests and visitors
or safety arrangements for it to be collected
One-off celebrations and parties will not be classed as anti-social behaviour, or breach of the tenancy agreement.
Neither will children playing and babies crying, or household noise due to everyday living. Tuntum’s Anti-Social
Behaviour and Harassment Policy provides a comprehensive guide to what is and is not Anti-Social Behaviour.
6 Keep up to date with Tuntum news and announcements - follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TuntumHA
TUNTUM ENGAGE | WINTER 2019
News From
Refugee Futures
ESOL teacher wins
Tutor of the Year Award
Imran Khan, our Syrian clients’ ESOL (English for Speakers
of other Languages) tutor, won the Tutor of the Year award
at the Enable Conference at the end of November.
Several people nominated Imran, including Dara Ivekich, our Refugee Futures
Service Manager, on behalf of both councils for the dedication and commitment
to his work. Dara Ivekich said: “The students really appreciate his efforts, and
attendance and achievement levels are very high. Imran and I keep in regular
contact to ensure the smooth running of the classes, and are able to maintain a
flexible approach according to the ability of the students.”
One of our Syrian students said: “Teacher Imran helps me all the time. If I don’t
understand something he will explain it in a different way. We all do our homework,
he makes it fun.”
During a recent consultation on ESOL provision in Nottingham city, and county, Enable
were praised, along with Tuntum for best practice in their approach to ESOL provision.
In the last year 26 of our residents from Syrian attended Imran ESOL classes.
Giving Children a
gift at Christmas
Syrian women
getting qualified
Well done to the cohort of 10
Syrian women from Mansfield and
Ashfield who took the Food Safety Refugee Futures staff are currently working with the
Foundation course in October Gem Cash for Kids campaign, to collect donations
and are now qualified. They were of toys and gifts for children at Christmas. Dara
supported by Lama Homssi, our Ivekich, Refugee Futures Service Manager, said:
Assistant Support Worker at Refugee
Futures, who helped to translate “We have been lucky enough to take part for
throughout the course. the past three years, and it’s amazing to see
the excited faces of the children when they
receive a gift. And our staff at Pendragon in
Mansfield are also donating toys in a similar
way for the children in Mansfield area.”
7
Give us your views on our repairs services
There is a great opportunity for many of Tuntum’s residents to get
involved in helping to shape the kind of repairs service residents
would like to receive. The ultimate aim being to improve resident
satisfaction with the repairs service and to improve our partnership
approach with residents to get the repairs successfully completed.
In order to get as wide a view as possible from residents, our Scrutiny
Group, Magnify, will be organising a one-day workshop for all Tuntum’s
residents in February 2020 to look at how the entire repairs process
is administered from first point of contact to the completion of the
repair. The event will be facilitated by Tpas – England’s leading tenant
engagement experts and supported by Tuntum on the day.
Here are some of the issues we’d like to discuss with you:
1. W
e have to be better at 2. We must continue to work hard at
managing expectations improving our satisfaction levels.
about what we can or cannot Our annual target is to achieve
do and explain why we an 85% satisfaction levels but the
cannot do it now. We also last survey showed a result of 78%
need to be clear about the which is unacceptable. We would
level of cooperation and like to discuss with you how we can
partnership we require. improve our performance.
Results from the STAR surveys undertaken by Mel Research also indicated the four main issues where residents
were not happy:
DURATION – QUALITY – THE PROCESS – CODE OF CONDUCT –
how long it took to standard of the for reporting and carrying The behaviour of the
complete a repair (47%) work done (28%) out a repair (19%) contractor (5%)
These are the issues we’d like to discuss with you. So please attend this workshop led by Magnify.
8 Keep up to date with Tuntum news and announcements - follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TuntumHA
TUNTUM ENGAGE | WINTER 2019
9
Planned Programme
Updates
Since the autumn edition of Engage, Tuntum has awarded the contracts for this
year’s kitchen replacement programme and bathroom replacement programme.
We are pleased to announce that the kitchen We are pleased to announce that the bathroom
replacement programme has been awarded to replacement programme has been awarded to
T&S Heating Ltd (Joinery Division). T&S currently Blackwood Building Services Ltd. Blackwood Building
undertake kitchen replacement programmes for other Services Ltd are a local company, who have been
Housing Associations and we are pleased with the undertaking day-to-day repairs and other building
quality of their work. works for Tuntum Housing Association for many
You should expect contact and a visit from the years. Customers living at properties on this financial
Resident Liaison Officer of T&S in due course to years programme will have already been contacted
discuss the work in more detail. Please make sure that by Blackwood Building Services Ltd, or will be shortly.
you are in for this appointment to help the programme The details of the work will be explained and the
run smoothly. If you’d like to find out if your property customers will be given a choice of wall paint and
is due for kitchen or bathroom replacement please floor covering colour. Please make sure that you
contact our repairs department on are in for this appointment to help the programme
repairs@tuntum.co.uk run smoothly.
Stock Condition
Surveys
We undertake a full property survey of might miss out on planned replacement programmes,
20% of their housing stock each financial such as a kitchen and bathroom or new windows and
year. These are undertaken by either an internally or doors replacement programmes.
externally employed Building Surveyor. Depending on the size of the property, a Stock
Appointments for these Stock Condition Surveys Condition Survey will usually take between 45 minutes
are made in advance, yet we find that it is a regular and 1 hour. The Building Surveyor requires access to
occurrence for customers not to be in. It is important all rooms, the loft space and garden areas, but will
that these surveys are undertaken, because they tell generally not need anything else form the customer,
us the condition and age of the main elements of the bar allowing access. The inconvenience is therefore
building, from which we plan when their replacement small, but with large gains. We would therefore like to
is due. The survey also identifies any potential health stress the importance of being in for any pre-arranged
& safety hazards and structural defects. It is therefore Stock Condition Survey appointments, which
beneficial to our customers that they allow access, also have a cost incurred for when appointments
because without the surveys being completed you are missed.
Gutters
It is common place for our Building Surveyors to find gutters that are leaking, due to
them being blocked, having loose joints, or having fallen down.
You must make sure that you report such issues immediately, directly via our website or email us at
repairs@tuntum.co.uk, because if left unattended, particularly during the wetter and colder months, leaking
gutters can lead to damage of the external brickwork and damp issues inside the property.
10 Keep up to date with Tuntum news and announcements - follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TuntumHATUNTUM ENGAGE | WINTER 2019
Fire Safety
We are replacing all our fire fighting apparatus with the
new firexo extinguishers. This came about after we were invited by
the local fire service to see the product being demonstrated. The main benefit
of these extinguishers is that in the event of a fire the user cannot select the
wrong type of fire extinguisher as this covers all types of fire in one application
therefore reducing risk to the users and reducing the risk of fires spreading.
Other services
Also this year we have engaged
Playing your part - TOP TIPS!
the Nottinghamshire fire safety • If you note any damage • Store kitchen towels and
services to perform our other to fire equipment and combustible materials
mandatory testing schedules systems or anyone away from cookers
across our buildings and
interfering with it please and hobs
schemes, for emergency light
testing, fire alarm panels, fire make us aware as soon
as possible • T
urn appliances off after
detection systems, automated
use and allow them to
fire smoke vents and wet and dry
risers fire hydrants in our high • If you have any concerns cool before storing or
rises and multi storey schemes. about fire safety please leaving them unattended
contact us for assistance
Our in-house maintenance • Nether leave scented
and guidance
staff and management perform candles or incense
weekly tests and checks to all • T
est your smoke alarms burners or naked
systems and apparatus ensuring
regularly to ensure that flames and fires burning
that our buildings are clear of
obstructions and hazards in
they operate and replace unattended or on or
corridors stairwells and fire exit the batteries periodically, close to combustible
routes. This ensures your systems they may save your life surfaces and products
are healthy and maintained
frequently this should reassure • Remove and dispose of • Never leave cigarettes
our residents that we do care for unwanted combustible or tobacco products
their safety and wellbeing. materials from your unattended to burnout
property in an ash tray
We will continue to invest over
the next year on replacement • Remove your waste from • If you know or have
and upgrading systems and
communal walk ways concerns about a friend
services in all areas, and commit
to investing on further passive corridors and stairwells or neighbour that is a
safety measure such as fire and don’t leave prams Tuntum tenant that may
compartmentation and fire door or bicycles in corridors be at risk from hoarding
inspection and remedial works. which may restrict or or issue highlighted
hamper safe escape below contacts us
from the building in the
Training event of a fire
All our staff whom have
Responsibilities for fire
management are currently
undertaking refresher training
presented and delivered by
Nottinghamshire Fire safety ltd.
The fire management course is
delivered by former fire fighters,
thus giving complete assurance
that it’s being delivered with
a passion for preserving life
and educating us all on fire
related topics.
11What is a loan shark?
With the festive season fast approaching, the cost and
pressure may tempt people to borrow from a loan shark.
A loan shark is someone who lends money without prosecute loan sharks –
the correct authorisation from the Financial they work closely with the
Conduct Authority (FCA). It is a criminal offence to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA),
lend money without authorisation and can lead to a local trading standards and the police to crackdown
2-year prison sentence and/or £5,000 fine. on illegal money lending. They are here to help
How do I know if I’ve borrowed from a loan shark? victims who have fallen into debt with a loan shark
at any time but especially during the festive season,
Loan sharks typically start off friendly and are you can report this anonymously and be confident
often heard of through word of mouth. It could be that your report will be taken seriously.
a friend, colleague, neighbor or someone who is
well known in the community for helping others out Did you know by borrowing a small loan from a
financially. loan shark could lead to massive repayments in the
New Year? Before you act THINK.
If you have had a cash loan and can answer yes to
one or more of these questions, you might have You can contact the credit union for advice or go
borrowed from a loan shark: onto the government website The Money Advice
service?
Did they give you any paperwork? Did you know
the interest rate? Have you been threatened or Both offer free and impartial help with Debts,
scared about people finding out? budgeting advice, universal credit help, payday
loans and pension guidance. They have online
Have they taken your bank card, benefit card, calculators including letter templates.
passport, watch or other valuables from you?
Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
Text a report to 078600 22116 Contact Us
Visit the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk Give us a call for free and impartial money advice.
E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Private message us on
0800 138 7777
Typetalk: 18001 0800 915 4622
www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
There is a national team that investigate and Saturday, Sunday and bank Holidays, closed
Our general email address is enquiries@maps.org.uk
Credit Union Contacts
NOTTINGHAM: 0115 8293121 on Maid Marian Way.
LEICESTER: Clockwise credit union 0116 2423900 & The Leicester Caribbean Credit union 0116 2512224
DERBY: Derbyshire Community Bank 01332 348144 and Derby United Credit Union 01332 369641
See the web for other areas for help and advice.
CHRISTMAS OFFICE OPENING HOURS
Tuesday 24 December Open 9am to 1pm If you have an emergency repair please
Wednesday 25 December Closed call 0115 915 22 22. This number
should only be used where there is a
Thursday 26 December Closed
danger to personal safety or risk of
Friday 27 December Closed serious damage to your property.
Monday 30 December Open 9am to 5pm You can also report non-urgent
Tuesday 31 December Open 9am to 5pm repairs using our online report a
Wednesday 1 January Closed repair form at any time, including
when our office is closed.
Head Office
90 Beech Avenue, New Basford,
Nottingham NG7 7LW
0115 916 6066
If you would like this newsletter admin@tuntum.co.uk
www.tuntum.co.uk
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