NORTH WEST
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Gordon Perry Chief Executive @GordonPatAccent
FOR
THE PRICE
OF 1
I’m delighted to introduce Accent Housing… From 1 August, you are now an Accent Housing resident. Accent Housing is now our one landlord, following the joining of Accent Nene, Accent Peerless and Accent Foundation.
As an Accent Housing resident you’ll notice very little difference. There are no changes to your tenancy agreement, your rights and responsibilities, the service you receive or even the way you pay your rent, so you don’t have to do, or worry, about anything. Technically, apart from the name and our work behind the scenes, there are no obvious changes. Accent Housing is still a charitable housing association. We are still regulated by the Homes and Communities Agency, and we will continue to serve our main purpose – to provide housing and services for the people who need them.
Why change to Accent Housing? We have been working together operationally for three years, but to join legally into one organisation means we can improve the services we deliver to you even more. We will provide better value for money
services, operate much more efficiently, invest more in your homes and build more new homes. All this comes without a price tag, losing sight of who we are or changing the way we deliver services to you.
Explaining our plans We announced our plans on our website in February, then wrote to Accent Nene and Accent Peerless residents personally, as they are most affected by the change. It was great to see that 63% of you supported our proposals, with only 3% against. Generally, if you were against, it was because of worries about Accent getting too big or changing for the sake of it – which is definitely not the case. The remaining 34% of you asked for more details, or had queries about individual tenancies. We have written to those of you who raised concerns.
“
As an Accent Housing resident the only change you will see is a good one – a new and improved Accent. We’ll do just what we say on the tin! We’ll continue to provide housing and better value for money services and build more badly needed homes.
If you have any questions please contact us, details are on page 8.
“
Sign up to Direct Debit and you could win £1000 Andrew Williams Customer Services Director @accentbrn
One lucky resident could be celebrating a ‘grand’ win simply by changing the way they pay their rent. We have teamed up with Bacs Payment Schemes Limited (Bacs), the organisation behind Direct Debit in the UK, in a national campaign to encourage residents to take advantage of the convenience and ease of Direct Debit.
To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is sign up to pay your rent by Direct Debit by 28 October, either by returning a completed Direct Debit Instruction form by post, signing up to Direct Debit online at www.accentgroup. org, or calling 0345 678 0555 to arrange payment over the phone. Direct Debit is the most efficient way for us to process your rent
payments and the money we can save can be used to benefit residents in other ways. It’s the best way for you to pay as, once it is set up, payments are automatic so there is no need to worry about falling into arrears. It would be great to see an Accent resident win one of the £1,000 prizes. Switch to Direct Debit to be in with a chance.
My Home Contents Insurance Accent does not insure the furniture and personal items you have in your home, that is your responsibility. However, we have teamed up with the National Housing Federation to bring you the ‘My Home’ contents insurance scheme to make it as easy and affordable as possible. Some of the benefits include: No yearly commitment, pay-as-you-go. Fortnightly, monthly or annual payments. No excess on any claims. No minimum home security requirements. Ask us for your free application pack or contact ‘My Home’ on: T: E: W:
0345 450 7288 myhome@thistleinsurance.co.uk www.thistlemyhome.co.uk
The National Housing Federation My Home Contents Insurance Scheme is a product name arranged and administered on behalf of the National Housing Federation by Thistle Tenant Risks. A trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Lloyd’s Broker. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A JLT Group Company. Registered Office: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AW. Registered in England No 00338645. VAT No. 244 2321 96. The National Housing Federation is an Appointed Representative of Thistle Insurance Services Limited.
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ACCENT NEWS
Smoke Alarms and Home Safety Checks Neil Cox Director of Repairs and Maintenance @neilcox84
Most people are aware of the dangers of fire in their home, but often think it won’t happen to them. Sadly, it can happen to anyone. Most house fires can be prevented by taking a little more care to reduce risks. For example, not overloading sockets, putting cigarettes out properly and being careful with candles. In many cases, tragedy and damage could have been avoided if smoke alarms had been fitted, and were tested and working properly. This is why we fit smoke alarms free of charge in all our rented properties. If your home doesn’t have a smoke alarm, or it does and you don’t think it is working properly, please contact us. Be safe in your home.
Free Home Safety Checks You, or someone you know, could be eligible for a FREE home fire safety check. To arrange a home fire safety check contact your local fire service via www.fireservice.co.uk/information/ukfrs. Visits can be carried out by operational firefighters so don’t be surprised if a fire engine arrives at your home! All fire and rescue staff who visit your home will carry photo identification. Please make sure you ask to see it.
@ CONTACT US SEE PAGE 8
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Taking your Health and Safety Seriously Jenny Conroy Compliance and Standards Manager @accentbrn
Our health and safety leaflets (and all our customer leaflets) are available to view and download on our website www.accentgroup.org/customer-publications. Our health and safety leaflets in particular explain our responsibilities as your landlord, and provide guidance on how you can protect you and your family from risks in your home. If you would like a copy of any of our leaflets, please contact us.
Gas Safety
Why we require gas safety checks and why we use ‘Gas Safe’ contractors. What happens if we do not get access to carry out a check. What to do in case of an emergency.
Health and Safety and Energy Efficiency How to prevent accidents in your home with some simple safety rules. How to save energy and reduce your bills.
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ACCENT NEWS
Asbestos
Why asbestos may be in your home and where it could be. What we are doing about asbestos.
Water Hygiene
Legionnaires’ disease – who’s at risk, what to do if you think you have it, what we do to control the risks and precautions you can take.
What to do if you are thinking about decorating or improving your home.
Condensation
What causes condensation and tips on how to reduce it. The difference between damp, rising damp and penetrating damp.
Fire Safety
Our responsibilty to fire safety in homes where we have communal areas. How we comply with current fire safety standards.
Home Improvements Neil Cox Director of Repairs and Mainetance @neilcox84
Our aim is to provide you with a reliable, effective and speedy repairs and home improvement service. Over 91% of you were happy with our repairs service last year. 94% of all repairs were fixed first time and 94% of all repair appointments were kept. We have a yearly home improvement programme, but it is not always possible to improve every home each year. Our programme is based on the age and condition of the appliances and components in your homes. They are replaced when they reach certain ages as part of the ‘Accent Standard’. The standard applies across all homes for a fair and consistent service. • Bathrooms replaced every 35 years. • Kitchens replaced every 25 years.
We will be investing £9.5M across Accent this year on the following improvements: Region
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Electrics
Doors/windows
Heating systems
Roofs
North East
123
91
1
117
37
1
North West
290
448
9
44
66
1
Yorkshire
171
229
2
93
265
3
Nene
91
45
1
25
108
1
South
146
193
2
52
426
19
If your home is due for an improvement, we will contact you before work is due to start. If you have any questions about our improvement programme, or to find out if your home is due an improvement, please contact us.
@ CONTACT US SEE PAGE 8
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Health and Wellbeing Over the last six weeks, our Hyndburn and Burnley independent living schemes have taken part in a health and wellbeing programme with the charity Community Solutions. Community Solutions North West (CSNW) is committed to offering hope and opportunity to local people through social, health, economic and personal development. Their aim is to help local people meet local needs to promote independence, confidence and self-esteem. Through the partnership, our independent living team offered our residents 120 places over six weeks in a range of activities, events and workshops.
“ I thoroughly enjoyed every week, especially meeting other people and making new friends. I will definitely be making use of the service at Elmfield Hall and intend to attend in the future” Roseanna Craig, Kirk House
Staff on Site Days Paul Spencer Housing Manager @accentbrn
Over the last couple of years, our housing officers have arranged regular ‘staff on site’ days so you had more of a chance to see your housing officer and raise any concerns in person. We made some positive improvements as a direct result of what you told us. However, because only a small number of you ever came out to see us, and our staff are now equipped for mobile working, we do not think staff-on-site days are the best way of engaging with you, so we have decided to stop them. I hope you can appreciate why. With mobile working, your housing officer will be on your estates more often. This should mean you have even more access to them and, with their new mobile technology, they can provide you with an even better service.
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ACCENT NEWS
Ready, steady, go! An intrepid team of Accent cyclists took part in a 130 mile bike challenge in June along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to raise money for local charities. The journey took two days and despite some aching limbs and saddle soreness they were able to raise over £3000, returning to work with a smile despite a few falls along the way!
Tenancy Sustainability news Dawn Austin Tenancy Sustainablility Manager @dawnlouiseastin
Silver Celebrations for Milnshaw Gardens Residents at Milnshaw Gardens celebrated their home’s 25th anniversary on 26 March with an afternoon of nostalgia. Marking a quarter of a century since the scheme opened, residents enjoyed a showing of footage taken 20 years ago, a singer performing songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s, bingo and a buffet. The fun continued well into the evening. Residents Nellie Holden and Betty Crukeshanks, who have lived at the scheme since it first opened, were presented with surprise bouquets. Scheme Manager Susan Thom said: “Nellie and Betty were absolutely thrilled, they had no idea they were getting flowers. There was a lovely atmosphere and we were all feeling very nostalgic. Residents loved the singer so much we’ve booked him for Christmas!”
Residents on a trip to South Africa! At Station View, Barrow, we organised a trip for residents to experience some traditional African dancing. Tribhangi, from South Africa performed an African/Indian dance fusion. Everyone loved the performance. @ CONTACT US SEE PAGE 8
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Two bedroom shared house
Weekly rent only £99* per person
Available from 20th June 2016
Excellent transport links
Piccadilly Road, Burnley, BB11 4QF This large Victorian property is decorated and furnished to a very high standard and features two large double bedrooms with double bed, wardrobe, drawers, bedside cabinet and TV aerial port (both bedrooms are lockable). A contemporary modern lounge with two leather sofas, coffee table and TV stand (TV aerial port)
and a large bathroom with walk in shower. The property has a spacious kitchen equipped with an electric cooker, fridge freezer, washing machine and modern dining table and chairs.
Leeds, Preston), Burnley Bus Station and there is ample on street parking available. Four weeks rent is payable in advance and a reference will be required.
Convenient for public transport – situated a few minutes’ walk from Manchester Road Train Station (trains to Manchester,
*inclusive of Council Tax and utility bills (Wi-Fi and TV Licence are not included)
For enquiries and applications please contact us on 0345 678 0555 and ask to speak to Kathryn or email lettingsnw@accentgroup.org
STAY IN TOUCH! Address: 2nd Floor Stephen House Bethesda Street Burnley BB11 1PR
Social media: Telephone: @accentbrn 0345 678 0555 /accentbrn Email: customerservices@accentgroup.org
www.accentgroup.org
Our contact centre is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am – 12pm on Saturday