catch-up Hello from Peter I’m very pleased to be connecting with you again to bring you up to date with CORT news, useful information and reminders about your tenancy. We want to hear back from you if there is anything CORT can do to help you, such as maintenance or other property issues. Here at CORT we’re researching possible new building developments. We’re excited about the prospect of adding to the number of safe and secure homes we can provide for the people in our community who are most in need of assistance.
August/September 2016 issue 2
CORT recipe book We are in the process of developing a cookbook for our tenants featuring simple, easy-to-cook recipes using basic affordable ingredients. Research for this project is being compiled by CORT’s student intern Deeksha Kapoor, from the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland. The cookbook is still in the early stages of development. Here is one of the recipes that we hope to include. Please try it out and give us your feedback.
In July, we welcomed on board Stephen Hart, our new Operations Manager. He’s gradually working his way through meeting tenants with the tenancy managers, so expect to see him some time in the coming months.
Peter Jeffries, CEO, CORT
Home-made pizza
Operations manager profile STEPHEN HART joined CORT in July and is responsible for the day-to-day management of CORT and ensuring that the service we provide to our tenants is as streamlined as possible. For Stephen this includes regular liaison with government agencies such as DHBs, WINZ and the Ministry of Social Development to ensure that CORT is efficient with the funding it receives. Stephen also oversees the work of CORT tenancy managers and our property manager. Recently he has been training our new Tenancy Manager Makinsie Blaine, who has replaced Keni Lesatele. Stephen was previously director of the Crossroads Clubhouse, an opportunity centre which provides a safe, work focussed environment to build confidence, skills and wellbeing. Outside work Stephen loves gardening, playing his electric guitar and undertaking some DIY on the house he shares with his partner. Stephen was born in the UK and raised in Australia. He has called New Zealand home since he was 11.
WHAT YOU NEED 1 supermarket pizza base (or pita bread) 2 slices of ham 1 cup of grated cheese Tomato paste WHAT YOU DO 1. HEAT the oven to 180 degrees Celsius 2. SPREAD tomato paste evenly over the pizza base 3. CUT the slices of ham into medium-sized pieces 4. PLACE the ham pieces on the pizza base 5. GRATE the cheese and sprinkle over the pizza 6. BAKE for 15 minutes in the oven 7. SERVE hot If you are a vegetarian, substitute sliced mushrooms or sliced capsicums for the ham.
Recipe competition Send in your favourite affordable recipe by October 30th and the best recipe will win a $50 prize.
August/September 2016 issue 2
Reminders Pets on CORT properties CORT has a no-dogs policy. You can keep a cat only if this has been approved in your Residential Tenancy Agreement. If you wish to introduce a pet at a later date you must first obtain approval from your tenancy manager. You must ensure that your pet does not cause any sort of nuisance, disturb or annoy neighbours at any time. Any plants or vegetation damaged by
Plant a spring garden Spring is finally on its way. For keen gardeners it’s time to plant. If you don’t already have a garden space, please talk to your tenancy manager so we can assess where we may be able to find a space for your garden. Growing your own food is very enjoyable and satisfying. In addition to helping you save money, eating fresh vegetables regularly will boost your health and wellbeing.
your pet must be replaced at your cost.
Smoke alarms If there is any problem with your smoke alarm, you must contact the CORT office immediately. It is important that you do not interfere with the smoke alarms in your unit. If you do, it will endanger both you and your neighbours. Any tenant who takes down or interferes with their smoke alarm runs the risk of being fined by the Tenancy Tribunal under the Building Act 2014.
Property maintenance Here’s how to get started: 1. Prepare the soil well by digging it over and ensuring it is free from weeds and rubbish. 2. Add some compost ($5 from the Warehouse), aged manure or sheep pellets to build up the soil. 3. Later in spring (Labour weekend), when it’s warmer and there’s no risk of late frosts is the time to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, capsicums, corn, parsley and basil. 4. Create raised mounds for cucumbers, courgettes and pumpkins. 5. Lettuces, silverbeet or spinach can be planted any time. Sow some lettuce seeds every couple of weeks to keep your crop ongoing.
6. Sprinkle slug bait over the soil to protect fragile seedlings. 7. Place some wire netting over young seedlings to prevent them being eaten by birds. 8. Get some stakes to tie up your tomatoes as they grow. Strips of old pantyhose or t-shirts make perfect ties. 9. Water and weed every few days, more often when it’s hotter. 10. When your plants have grown, harvest and enjoy!
If you have any maintenance issues with your property please ensure that you advise CORT’s property manager Gary Corbett on 376 3049. If you have an after-hours’ property emergency, you will have the option of being connected to the person on call.
Courtyard maintenance Tenants who have courtyards are responsible for keeping their garden and courtyard in a tidy state.
No smoking in units CORT has a non-smoking policy that applies to all of our units. You must comply with this rule. Smoke damages the paintwork and the inside of units. Tenants will be liable for any damage caused.
If this is your very first vegetable garden, start slowly by first planting lettuce and silverbeet/spinach.
If you need to smoke you must do it outside your unit. Please be considerate about how you dispose of your cigarette butts. Don’t forget, if you do want to quit smoking please contact your tenancy manager and we will put you in touch with a smoking cessation service. Contact CORT about any change in your circumstances which may affect your ability to remain in your unit.
p 09 376 3049 e admin@cort.org.nz
We are sending out maintenance cards to any CORT properties that will be undergoing maintenance and repairs. If you complete the questions on the card and send it back to us you’ll enter the draw to win $50! Congratulations to the winner of the previous prize draw – Ngaahina Hohaia.