The Gateshead Housing Company news – winter special

news
The Gateshead Housing Company
Providing excellent homes and housing services December 2013
Estate transformation
sees day of celebration
see pages 4 and 5.
No matter what the
coming months have in
store for us weather-wise,
it’s good to be prepared.
The back of this magazine has useful information to help get you through the
winter months.
There are useful contacts, plus our opening hours during the festive period to
report a repair, pay your rent or look for a new home.
And remember, you can always find up-to-date information on:
•Our website at www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk
•Gateshead Council’s website at www.gateshead.gov.uk
•Facebook at www.facebook.com/gatesheadhousingcompany
•Our Twitter feed at www.twitter.
com/gatesheadhc
We also have housing news from
across the borough, including
an update on the review of the
tenancy agreement.
Barbara Dennis OBE DL, Board Chair The Gateshead Housing Company
What do these symbols mean?
On pages where there is one of these Quick Response (QR)
codes you can get more information by scanning the code
with your smartphone.
Written by the Communications Team - 0191 433 5382 or e-mail communications@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Designed by Pink Fish Creative - 07884 340 749. Photographs by Steve Brock and Ian Clarkin.
2
Your views still count
Gateshead Council is consulting
residents on the choices being
faced to meet an estimated £45m
funding gap.
Consultation with residents,
businesses, partners and employees
runs until 17 December and seeks
views on choices that could see
major changes to services.
Leader of Gateshead Council, Mick
Henry, said: “The Council is facing a
series of extremely difficult choices.
“These choices will affect the whole
community and we need everyone
who lives in Gateshead to give us
their views on what matters most.
“We need to make sure the tough
choices we make now are guided by
what is important to our residents.”
You can give your views by filling in
a survey available online at
www.gateshead.gov.uk/budget
Outcomes of consultation will be
fed back to Cabinet.
The Council will agree the budget
for 2014/16 next February.
Want a paper survey?
Ask at Gateshead Council
buildings or call 0191 433 3000.
3
4
Festival goers celebrate
new-look estate in style
A free event that marked the
completion of four years of
housing developments has been
hailed a fun-filled success.
“This was a fantastic opportunity
for residents to come together
and realise just how far their
neighbourhood has come.
The Kibblesworth Festival, organised
by The Gateshead Housing Company
and partners, was the finale to a
£14m scheme that
saw more than 140
new family homes
being built.
“It was a pleasure to speak with so
many people and see first-hand the
benefits of the development, which
can be enjoyed
for generations to
come.”
The four-year
regeneration also
saw improved
children’s play
areas and original
artwork across the
former mining village.
Hundreds of residents attended
the free family event, which was
officially opened by the Mayor of
Gateshead, Councillor Jack Graham.
While the estate’s children could
enjoy new playground facilities and
a treasure hunt, others reminisced
about the area’s heritage through
a photo-wheel of images past and
present.
Teresa Smare, Neighbourhood
Services Manager at the housing
company, said: “Kibblesworth has
been literally transformed over the
last four years.
The £14m
regeneration of
the village was
supported by the
housing company’s
subsidiary Keelman
Homes, Gateshead
Council, overall site constructor
Keepmoat and the Homes and
Communities Agency.
It created new homes for rent,
sale and shared ownership
properties to help first-time
buyers to step on to the property
ladder.
Want to know more?
Call Birtley housing
office on 0191 433 6102
or e-mail birtleyoffice@
gatesheadhousing.co.uk
5
6
Tenants have been giving their views
on Gateshead Council’s tenancy
agreement at drop-in sessions across
the borough.
It’s good to talk housing
Tenants have been giving
Gateshead Council and the
housing company their views on
updating the tenancy agreement
at drop-in sessions across the
borough.
Last updated in 2008, and with
changes to legislation and how
homes are
managed,
means it is
timely for the
agreement to be
reviewed again.
When signing
it tenants agree
to a set of
conditions on
how they will
maintain their
home, keep up
with their rent
and how they,
their families
and any visitors will behave.
The agreement also includes the
legal responsibilities of Gateshead
Council towards its tenants.
Current tenants, as well as those
looking to move to Gateshead
Council homes in the future, have
been giving their views on potential
changes including:
•Changes in legislation (the law)
•Updates on antisocial behaviour,
gardens, fences, hedges, repairs,
improvements, animals, communal
areas, equality, diversity, charges
and gas servicing.
The housing company organised
drop-in sessions at housing offices,
Gateshead Civic Centre and
sheltered accommodation schemes
for tenants to find out more.
Following
the events,
tenants will be
sent details of
the proposed
changes and be
asked for their
views.
All comments
received will
be considered
and, where
appropriate,
included in the
new agreement,
which will then need to be approved
by Gateshead Council.
Tenants will then be sent details
of the approved changes at
least 28 days before the new
agreement takes effect.
Want to know more?
Contact the Involvement Team
on 0191 433 5357 or e-mail
involve@gatesheadhousing.
co.uk
7
Community organisations are being
offered free office furniture by The
Gateshead Housing Company.
Part of the furniture
Local groups are being offered
the chance to kit out their offices
when the housing company
moves its headquarters in 2014.
The company’s HQ, currently based
on Team Valley, will be co-locating
to Gateshead Civic Centre next
March, resulting in a surplus of office
furniture.
The furniture, which is all in good
condition, includes:
•Desks • Tables • Filing cabinets
•Chairs – both office and
conference type.
8
Local community groups and
organisations are being offered the
surplus furniture for free – as long as
they can collect it.
If you are interested visit www.
gatesheadhousing.co.uk/
communityfurniture where you
can see what is available and reserve
online.
Groups will then be contacted to
arrange a time for them to collect
the furniture.
Want to know more?
Contact Eric Jubb on 0191
433 5340 or e-mail ericjubb@
gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Everyone’s a winner
Community groups across
Gateshead have won free prizes,
including gardening, sports, toys
and kitchen packs in a summer
giveaway.
The 2013 ‘Summer of fun’ was the
housing company’s way of giving
something back to local groups that
help to build stronger communities.
The winners were: 8th Gateshead
Boys Brigade; 9th Gateshead
Rainbows; Chopwell Community
Centre; Lobley Hill Community
Centre; Deckham Community
Centre; Diva Dance; Dunston
Community Centre; Edberts House;
Gateshead Young Women’s
Outreach Project; Leam Lane Dance;
Mosspoool/Lily Close Centre;
Redheugh Whites under 11s;
Rutherford FC; Save the Children;
The 4Cs; The Avenues Community
Education Project; The Court Cafe
- Warwick Court; The Windmill
Hills Centre; The Winlaton Centre;
Whickham Fellside; and Clara Vale
Village Hall.
Want to know more?
Call the Involvement Team
on 0191 433 5357 or e-mail
involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
9
Find a new
If your household has been affected by under-occupation,
or you are thinking about moving, you could consider
swapping your home with another tenant.
A ‘mutual exchange’ is when two secure tenants agree to
swap homes.
Household 1 the Davies
The Davies are
a couple with a
15-year-old son
living in a three-bed
house.
Household 2 the Johnsons
The Johnsons are
a couple living in a
two-bed house with
a son aged 8 and a
daughter aged 11.
In this case, by swapping homes the Davies will no longer
be affected by under-occupation, and the Johnsons will
have the additional bedrooms for their children.
For more information contact your housing office or
10
home faster
A quicker way to find a home
It’s easy to register your property to the free service for
an exchange, and in doing so:
s9OUCANSEEHOMESFOREXCHANGEACROSSTHEREGIONAT
www.tyneandwearhomes.org.uk
s9OUCANAVOIDPOTENTIALLYLENGTHYWAITINGLISTS
s4HEREARENODELAYSONCEYOUlNDSOMEONETOSWAP
homes with - just seek approval from your housing
OFlCE
s9OUAREINCONTROLOFHOWYOURHOMEISADVERTISED
including uploading photographs of your property.
)FYOUlNDASUITABLEEXCHANGEYOUMUSTCONTACTYOUR
HOUSINGOFlCETOARRANGEAVISIT
If an exchange is refused you will be told why and
advised on alternative solutions - all potential swaps will
be considered on an individual basis.
visit www.tyneandwearhomes.org.uk
Tyne and Wear
Homes
11
12
Nathan Lowery is pictured with
Helen Watson from The Gateshead
Housing Company’s Involvement
Team.
Nathan gets a ‘fresh start’
Young people in Gateshead are
being given a ‘fresh start’ in the
world of work thanks to the
housing company and Dulux
Decorator Centres.
The national Fresh Start initiative
gives young people aged 16 to
19 who are not in education,
employment or training (NEET) the
chance to gain vital experience and
training towards a future career in
decorating.
Young jobseekers
taking part will
spend part of each
week studying or
learning the skills
needed to become
a professional
tradesperson – and
also gain retail and
other job-related experience at Dulux
stores.
By working in the retail environment
young people will learn about
dealing with customers, as well as
the latest DIY products.
The housing company, which offers
its tenants receiving improvement
works a decoration allowance to
be used at local Dulux Centres, is
delighted young people in the area
are already benefitting from the
scheme.
One of the first young people
to benefit from the scheme was
17-year-old Nathan Lowery from
Springwell in Gateshead.
Nathan is now combining three days
of study at Newcastle College with
two days at local Dulux Decorating
Centres.
Jon Mallen-Beadle, Managing
Director of The Gateshead Housing
Company, said: “We have a
commitment to helping our tenants
and their families
to gain experience
and training to
help them find a
new job or work
experience.”
Nathan said:
“Hopefully the
skills I will learn at
Dulux, combined
with my college course, will lead to a
job in the future.”
Jamie Hyde, Dulux Decorator
Centre’s Customer Support
Manager North East England
and Scotland, said: “It is great to
see the work that the housing
company is doing to deliver
sustainable communities.”
Want to know more?
Call the Involvement Team
on 0191 433 5357 or e-mail
involve@gatesheadhousing.
co.uk
13
Prize crossword - win a
£50 shopping voucher
1
2
3
1
1
6
5
7
9
9
8
10
12
13
14
4
13
14
11
12
15
16
15
16
18
19
18
20
16
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19
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22
1
Name:
14
1
Address:
Tel:
Return your completed crossword to: The Gateshead Housing Company news,
Freepost Plus RRZG-CLYL-XKRU, The Gateshead Housing Company, Keelman
House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Fifth Avenue, Team Valley Trading Estate,
Gateshead, NE11 0XA. Deadline for entries: Friday, 31 January 2014.
Across
Down
6. Small boat made of
waterproofed hides stretched
over a frame (7)
1. Red-breasted bird, which
features on many Christmas
cards (5)
7. Christmas song (5)
2. One of Santa’s reindeer who is
usually paired with Dancer (6)
9. ‘Silent _______’, an example of
7 Across (5)
10. Santa’s reindeer, the one with ‘a
very shiny nose’ (7)
12. Name sometimes used in the
USA for Santa Claus (4,7)
14. This song was originally
published under the title ‘One
Horse Open Sleigh’ (6,5)
18. Brave behaviour (7)
19. Heavenly decoration on a
Christmas tree (5)
3. One of Santa’s helpers (3)
4. Large monkey with a doglike
snout (6)
5. Director of ‘The Godfather’ and
‘Apocalypse Now’ (7)
8. Group of four musicians (7)
11. Characteristic feature which
determines a thing’s identity (7)
13. They brought gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh (7)
15. Santa’s space in a department
store (6)
16. ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ was a
hit single written by this Beatle (6)
21. Scotland’s ‘Fair City’…or the
capital of the state Western
Australia (5)
17. Fence formed by closely-growing
bushes or shrubs (5)
22. Main character in Charles
Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ (7)
20. It can be a hazard for drivers on
winter roads (3)
Good luck!
Terms and conditions: The prize crossword is only open to tenants and
leaseholders of The Gateshead Housing Company. Employees of The
Gateshead Housing Company and Gateshead Council are not eligible to
enter. The prize of a £50 shopping voucher will be drawn at random from
all correct received entries. No cash alternative will be offered. The editor’s
decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
15
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The housing company has a number
of garages for rent for car owners
who don’t have a garage at home.
Any Gateshead resident can apply to rent a garage,
which are allocated to existing tenants first,
followed by other customers.
Rents start from £5 a week for Gateshead Council
tenants, up to £8.43 a week for other residents.
You could even get a discount on your insurance
by keeping your car in a locked garage.
Contact your housing office for more information.
*For existing Gateshead Council tenants.
Paying rent should always
be top of your shopping list
• Birtley, Springwell, Wrekenton, Leam Lane, Low Fell, Old Fold or Felling call 0191 433 5811 or e-mail rentenquirieses@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Gateshead town centre, Sheriff Hill, Teams, Dunston, Whickham, Lobley
Hill, Blaydon, Ryton, Rowlands Gill, Chopwell or Highfield call 0191 433 6150 or e-mail rentenquiriescw@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Former tenants - call 0191 433 5364, 0191 433 5834 or e-mail
formertenants@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Benefits - call Gateshead Council on 0191 433 4646 or e-mail
benefitenquiries@gateshead.gov.uk
• You can pay at any PayPoint outlet or Post Office
using your rent payment card
• You can call 0845 149 0002 using your debit or
credit card 24-hours a day
• Why not sign up for Direct Debit? It’s safe, easy
and quick - ask at your housing office for a form
• You can pay online or get a balance at
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/payments
Got a smartphone?
Scan here to pay
your rent online
ling collections
s and New Year
Saturday 4 Jan
Monday 30 Dec
Friday 3 Jan
Saturday 28 Dec
Thursday 2 Jan
Friday 27 Dec
As normal
As normal
Week commencing
30 December 2013
Your bin will be
emptied:
Week commencing
23 December 2013
Your bin will be
emptied:
Week commencing
6 January 2014
Your bin will be
emptied:
As normal
As normal
As normal
As normal
Remember: Use your blue bin for Christmas cards, cardboard, glass bottles/jars, plastic
bottles and cans. Paper only in the inner box please.
Green-it information: Collections will be suspended during December, January, February and
March and will resume in April 2014.
Waste and Recycling Centres: At Albany Road, Gateshead, open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat &
Sun 8am-6pm, closed Christmas Day. Cowen Road, Blaydon, open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat &
Sun 8am-6pm, closed Christmas Day.
www.gateshead.gov.uk/binchecker
For more information call: 0191 433 7000
/+$ 2$ -.3$ 2DUDQD VD@SGDQ L@X @ƤDBS SGDRD BNKKDBSHNM C@SDR /KD@RD BGDBJ SGD
VDARHSDENQTOSNC@SDHMENQL@SHNMNQ@CCVVVE@BDANNJBNLF@SDRGD@CBNTMBHK@MC
www.twitter.com/gmbcouncil to your favourites.
Refuse and recy
for Christm
As normal
Friday
As normal
Thursday
As normal
Wednesday
As normal
Tuesday
Week commencing
16 December 2013
Your bin will be
emptied:
Normal collection
day
for Gateshead
hours this
d New Year
Open until 5pm
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Closed
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Closed
Tuesday, 31 December
Open until 5pm
Monday, 30 December
Closed
Sunday, 29 December
Closed
Saturday, 28 December
Open until 5pm
Friday, 27 December
Closed
Thursday, 26 December
Closed
Wednesday, 25 December
Closed
Tuesday, 24 December
Open until 5pm
Monday, 23 December
Closed
Sunday, 22 December
Closed
Saturday, 21 December
Open until 5pm
Friday, 20 December
Open until 5pm
Thursday, 19 December
Open until 5pm
Wednesday, 18 December
Open until 5pm
Tuesday, 17 December
Open until 5pm
Monday, 16 December
HomeRepairs
Date
Please note: cash counters open at 9am and close
30 minutes before the times above. See page 16.
21
Our opening
Christmas a
Housing offices
All offices open as normal
All offices open as normal
All offices open as normal
All offices open as normal
All offices open as normal
All offices closed
All offices closed
All offices open as normal
All offices closed
All offices closed
All offices closed
All offices open as normal
All offices closed
All offices closed
All offices open as normal
All offices closed
All offices closed
All offices open as normal
20
Useful information
HomeRepairs
To report a repair visit
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/repairfinder
Got a smartphone?
Scan here to report
repairs online.
You can also call 0800 408 6008 Monday to Friday
between 8am and 5pm (or until 6.30pm on a
Monday).
Emergency repairs can be reported at any time, seven days a
week.
For other non-emergency repairs:
• E-mail: repairs@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Text: ‘REPAIR’ and your message to 0762 480 4167
• Fax: 0191 433 5496.
Tyne and Wear Homes
The last edition of Tyne and Wear Homes for 2013
will open at 00.01am on Thursday, 26 December
and will close at 11.59pm on Monday, 6 January
2014.
Got a smartphone?
Scan here to bid
online.
To find out more ask at your housing office or
contact Tyne and Wear Homes:
• Web: www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/find-a-home
• E-mail: tyneandwearhomes@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Call: 0191 433 5345
• Text: ‘CBL’ and your message to 0762 480 4167
• Fax: 0191 433 5354.
19
Contacting us this
Christmas and New Year
Birtley housing office - 0191 433 6102 or
e-mail birtleyoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Blaydon housing office - 0191 433 6202 or
e-mail blaydonoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Central housing office - 0191 433 2730 or
e-mail centraloffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Dunston housing office - 0191 433 8888 or
e-mail dunstonoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Felling housing office - 0191 433 5888 or
e-mail fellingoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Leam Lane housing office - 0191 433 5888 or
e-mail leamlaneoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Wrekenton housing office - 0191 433 5822 or
e-mail wrekentonoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Normal housing office opening times
• Friday - 9am to 4.30pm.
• Friday - 8.45am to 4.30pm.
• Thursday - 9am to 5pm
• Thursday - 8.45am to 5pm
• Wednesday - 9am to 3.45pm
• Wednesday - 8.45am to 3.45pm
• Tuesday - 9am to 5pm
• Tuesday - 8.45am to 5pm
• Monday - 9am to 5pm
• Monday - 8.45am to 5pm
Offices at Birtley,
Blaydon and Dunston
are open from:
Offices at Gateshead Civic
Centre, Leam Lane and
Wrekenton are open from:
Felling office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 12 noon.
Please note: cash counters open at 9am and close 30 minutes
before the times above. Felling is not a payment office.
18
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assistance are available.
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Regular sessions are being held
across the borough so call
0191 433 5357 or e-mail
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to get saving.
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The Gateshead Housing Company has teamed up with Energy Best
Deal to help you save money this winter.
,ĞƌĞĂƌĞŽƵƌƚŽƉƚĞŶƟƉƐƚŽĐƵƚƚŚŽƐĞĞŶĞƌŐLJďŝůůƐ͗
1 Speak to your energy
company to see about a
cheaper deal. You could also
save up to £200 by switching
supplier.
2 Visit the Energy Savings
Trust website at
ŚƩƉ͗ͬͬŚĞĐ͘ĞƐƚ͘ŽƌŐ͘ƵŬ for a
free home energy check that
could save up to £250 a year
on energy bills.
3 You could save up to £100
paying by Direct Debit.
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ƚŚĞŬĞƩůĞǁŝƚŚƚŚĞĂŵŽƵŶƚŽĨ
water you need.
5 Make sure your washing
machine is full when you use
it and wash at 30 degrees.
6 Turning down your thermostat
by 1°c could cut bills by 10%.
7 Seal gaps in windows and
ĚŽŽƌƐ͕ĂŶĚĮƚĂĚƌĂƵŐŚƚŇĂƉ
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8 Energy saving light bulbs last
ƵƉƚŽƚĞŶƟŵĞƐůŽŶŐĞƌĂŶĚ
can save round £45 over the
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9 Make sure taps are fully
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can waste enough energy in a
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leave a room.
dƵƌŶĂƉƉůŝĂŶĐĞƐŽīƐƚĂŶĚďLJ
and unplug mobile phones
when charged.
DŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶŝƐĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞĨƌŽŵƚŚĞŶĞƌŐLJ^ĂǀŝŶŐdƌƵƐƚ͛ƐǁĞďƐŝƚĞ
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tĂŶƚƚŽƐĂǀĞάάάƐƚŚŝƐǁŝŶƚĞƌ͍ Why not come to one of our free
Energy Best Deal drop-in sessions. See the facing page for details.
Stay healthy
this winter
It’s important to remain healthy over the winter months to
reduce the risk of illness and to protect yourself from the cold.
The government has produced a range of tips to keep
yourself fit and healthy throughout the colder climes:
• Get an annual flu jab – contact your GP or pharmacist for
more information
• Eat well with regular and varied meals, including five
portions of fruit and vegetables, and have plenty of hot
drinks
• Stay active as exercise
is good for your
overall health and
can help to keep you
warm
• Recognise the signs of
hypothermia. There
are different levels
of hypothermia, with
older people being
one of the most at risk groups.
Shivering can be used as a guide as to how severe the case
may be. Contact your GP if you are concerned about your or a
friend or family member’s condition.
More information is available at www.nhs.uk/winterhealth
15
Weather watch -
Gateshead set for winter
Gateshead Council is now on 24-hour standby to ensure that
gritters can be dispatched day or night, seven days a week
within an hour’s notice.
The council has been hard at work to ensure salt reserves are
in place and its fleet of vehicles ready.
Key staff have now begun working a 24-hour standby
system, while colleagues are studying Met Office forecasts
throughout the day for early indications of freezing weather
to get ahead of the game.
Roads are treated on a strict priority basis, with the busiest
routes receiving the most attention. Minor roads in residential
areas are not normally treated.
Plan ahead - cameras offer a clear view
Winter travel need never be a journey into the unknown
again after Gateshead Council secured the rights to display
images from the region’s traffic cameras on its website.
42 roadside cameras operated by the Highways Agency and
other organisations can now be viewed online at
www.gateshead.gov.uk/winter offering motorists a clear
view of traffic and weather conditions across the region.
Among the areas covered are the A1 by
the Metrocentre, the A19 at Silverlink and
principal highways throughout the region.
14
Should your gas
heating go off, please
check the following
before contacting the
housing company.
Please
keep this
information
safe
1 Is your gas supply on? Or if you have a pre-pay
meter, is it topped up with credit?
2 If you feel able, use a warm pack (often used for
sore joints), a hot water bottle or, only if you are
on the ground floor, gently pour warm water over
the plastic pipe to try to thaw it out.
3 Take care that any excess water on the ground
does not create a slip hazard. Boiling water should
never be used.
4 When the pipe has been fully thawed and drained
try restarting the boiler.
If this doesn’t work, or you are concerned about trying
to thaw the pipe, call HomeRepairs on 0800 408 6008.
Other useful numbers
• For mains water or sewerage issues call
Northumbrian Water on 0845 717 1100
• For gas leaks or emergencies call
National Grid on 0800 111 999.
Got a smartphone?
Scan here to report
repairs online.
13
Important
information
about your
condensing
boiler.
In extremely cold weather you
may experience heating issues,
due to condensate pipes freezing.
These are the small plastic
(often white) pipes that run
beneath the boiler, usually to
the outside of your home.
12
IF YOU ARE REPORTING A
REPAIR YOU DON’T NEED TO
GIVE US A CALL – THERE ARE
LOTS OF OTHER WAYS TO
GET IN TOUCH.
You can report repairs 24 hours a day at
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/repairfinder
All you need is your rent reference number and a PC,
tablet or smartphone to give us the details.
You can also:
• Text ‘REPAIR’ and your message to 0762 480 4167
Got a smartphone?
To report your
repair online.
• E-mail: repairs@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Emergency repairs can be reported at any time,
seven days a week to 0800 408 6008.
“RATHER THAN CALL
ARE THERE OTHER
WAYS TO REPORT
MY REPAIR?”
“YES – AND
THEY ARE
AVAILABLE 24
HOURS A DAY …”
DO IT
24/7.
ONLINE
If you aren’t covered already, this
is the right time to seek contents
insurance for personal items and
effects in your home.
Gateshead Council’s contents insurance scheme with
RSA allows customers to get adequate cover in an easy
and affordable way.
From 76p per week for standard cover, or £1.56*
including accidental damage, the
contents of your home could be
From
insured against:
• Storm or flood
• Fire
• Lightning
• And more.
76p
per
week
Full details are available on request
and payments can be made as part of your weekly rent.
For more information call 0191 433 5365,
0191 433 5366 or e-mail
rentenquiries@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
*These figures are subject to the sum insured in your home. Details correct at time of going
to print. This is a voluntary scheme and you are free to make your own arrangements.
Accidents can happen.
Are you covered?
8
Condensation -
!
it’s condense sense
Wet windows and walls caused by cooking, bathing and
drying clothes indoors without ventilation is a con you
don’t need - condensation.
You could end up with mould, damp or damage to your
furnishings if you don’t try to reduce condensation in
your home.
Reduce your risk with these simple rules.
Leave some background heating on during the day
in cold weather. Around 15°C or 62°F should help
Don’t block your radiators or heaters
with furniture when they’re on
Keep your fixed vents clear
Open your windows and vents slightly
Close your kitchen and bathroom doors when
cooking, washing or bathing
Put lids on pans when you are cooking
Hang your washing on a clothes horse or rail
instead of directly on radiators
Put cold water in your bath first to reduce
the amount of steam.
Handy household hints
Top tips
• Check the batteries on smoke alarms
regularly
• Know where your stoptap is and test it
frequently
• Keep a torch handy
• Keep a spare phone that doesn’t need to be plugged in to
an electrical socket – newer phones may not work if your
electricity is off
• Use a battery-powered radio to listen to local stations,
such as BBC Newcastle, for news about the weather and
emergencies
• Do you have a microwave? They’re great for warming
meals if your boiler isn’t working
• Keep the heat in your home this winter by hanging heavy
lined curtains, closing them as soon as it starts to get dark
• Going away this winter? Set your heating to come on for at
least one hour to keep your boiler functioning
• If you have a loft, leave its access open in extremely cold
weather to help prevent freezing pipes
• Avoid blockages by letting cooking fat solidify and throw in
the bin rather than pouring down the sink
• Make sure you have your annual gas service carried out.
It’s free and it could save your life!
6
hail or snow
If you have a burst pipe
1 Turn off water at the stoptap (usually in
the kitchen or bathroom).
2 Turn all cold taps on to drain the system.
3 If water is going into or near electrical equipment, then
turn the electricity off at the consumer unit (the fuse box).
4 Put a bucket under the leak, wrap a cloth around the pipe,
and fasten with tape.
5 Call HomeRepairs on 0800 408 6008.
If your electricity goes off
1 Check your consumer unit (the fuse box).
2 If any switches have tripped to the ‘off’
position, put them back to ‘on’.
3 If the switch will not reset, you may have
a faulty appliance or wiring to check.
Call HomeRepairs on 0800 408 6008.
4 While the supply is off, switch off any electric fires or
heaters, and avoid opening freezer doors.
5 If all house and external street lights are off call Northern
Powergrid on 0800 66 88 77 (textphone 0800 028 9507).
Under normal weather conditions, supplies are usually
restored within three hours.
6 If smoke or sparks are coming from sockets or switches,
then turn off the electricity at the consumer unit, and
report it to HomeRepairs on 0800 408 6008.
5
Top tips come rain
If you think you can smell gas
1 Ring the National Grid immediately on 0800 111 999
(Minicom/Textphone 0800 37 17 87).
2 Turn off the gas supply at the meter.
3 Open all windows and doors.
4 Call HomeRepairs on 0800 408 6008.
IMPORTANT: don’t smoke, use naked flames, or turn
electric switches and appliances on or off.
If your heating is not working, ask
yourself:
1 Is the electricity supply on?
2 Is the timer set properly?
3 Is the thermostat turned up high enough?
4 If your system is still not working, then call HomeRepairs
on 0800 408 6008.
If you have no hot water
1 Check to see if the heating
system is still working.
2 Call HomeRepairs on
0800 408 6008.
4
But is it?
Winter is on its way and that always means more
repairs being reported to the housing company.
Add in potential snow, freezing temperatures and travel
problems, and it means resources can be stretched.
Severe weather conditions may mean the housing company
can only to respond to genuine emergencies, such as:
• No heating, lighting or
power
• Blocked or unusable toilets
• Burst pipes or major
drainage issues
• Water in electrics.
If you are reporting a repair you don’t need to call us –
there are lots of other ways to get in touch.
This could help us to attend to vulnerable customers, like
the elderly, more quickly.
If your repair isn’t an emergency you can report it by:
• Web: www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/repairfinder
• E-mail: repairs@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Text: ‘REPAIR’ and your message to 0762 480 4167
Got a smart
phone?
Please scan
this code to
report a repair
online
Help us to help you this winter.
Is my repair
an emergency?
yes
Winter 2013/14
Be
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ter
read
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with
The
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