12 minute read
MyHome service for tenants and leaseholders
Introducing MyHome
Harlow Council‘s new online housing service, MyHome, allows you to manage your tenancy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on your computer or mobile device.
With MyHome you can: • Book and request repairs. • View your tenancy details. • Pay your council housing accounts, including rent for your home and/or garage. • View your rent account details or print off a copy of your statement. • Request a change of payment method. • View your contents insurance, supporting people, major works and district heating accounts. Leaseholders can pay service charges and there is a function for leaseholder landlords to request that all their properties’ accounts are linked.
You can access the service whenever it suits you in a safe and secure way - no queues and no fuss!
Apply for a garage online
You can now apply to rent a council garage online.
All residents, not just tenants and leaseholders, can apply by registering on MyHome.
Once your application is approved you are able to check your application status online.
“MyHome makes it easier for tenants and leaseholders who are online to manage their accounts and access services when it suits them.
“We will continue to improve and develop MyHome in future so those tenants and leaseholders who are online can access even more services in this way.”
Councillor Simon Carter Portfolio Holder for Housing
“The new portal is very easy to navigate, and easy to find information on repairs or book repairs. It also allows tenants to view rent account balance. Digitisation of Harlow Council’s services via the portal will help engage and empower the people of Harlow to get involved in their local community.”
Binh M Nguyen, Harlow resident
Please visit https://selfserve. harlow.gov.uk/MyAccounts for more information and to register for an account or call Contact Harlow on 01276 446655 for more information or help with registering.
Sorting out bin collections
There has been ongoing disruption to the bin collections, which we know has been a cause of frustration to those of you who have been affected.
The varying levels of service that residents have experienced for some time are not acceptable. We are sorry and we are working with Veolia to look at longer term changes to improve the service.
Recently the council has taken direct action to manage Veolia’s performance. Veolia have committed to putting in additional vehicle and staffing resources as a temporary measure to improve the situation.
The growth of new housing in the town has meant that there is a greater workload for bin crews on some days than others. Veolia has proposed changing bin collection days for homes across the town, to spread collections out evenly through the week. This is under consideration and we will let you know more about this, if the proposal is agreed. You can help with collections by: • Putting bins out on the boundary of your property before 7am on your collection day.
• Placing rubbish inside the communal bins if you live in a flat block - leaving rubbish outside the bins obstructs the crews from collecting the bins.
• Reducing and reusing your rubbish and recycling and composting as much as possible. Help and tips at
www.loveessex.org
• Not parking in a way that blocks access to lorries – we know this isn’t always easy or possible, but blocking access means emergency vehicles cannot help you either. August Bank Holiday collection days
Collections will be one day later than normal on the week of 30 August:
Normal date Revised date
Mon 30/08/2021 Tue 31/08/2021
Tue 31/08/2021 Wed 01/09/2021
Wed 01/09/2021 Thur 02/09/2021
Thur 02/09/2021 Fri 03/09/2021
Fri 03/09/2021 Sat 04/09/2021
You can also check your collection days online at
www.harlow.gov.uk
“I would like to thank the bin crews for their hard work and how well they have coped with collecting more waste and recycling in our town during the pandemic. I continue working with Veolia to ensure that the bin crews are supported with the right resources and that service standards return to and remain at the level Harlow residents expect.”
Councillor Alastair Gunn, Portfolio Holder for Environment
Harlow Police Station is open Monday to Sunday, 9am - 5pm
Tell us what matters to you. Email the team at HarlowCPT@essex.police.uk • Call 999 (emergencies) Report online: www.essex-police.uk or call 101 (non urgent enquiries)
#protectingandservingHarlow
Public Engagement
Harlow’s Community Safety Engagement officers, PCs Brad Hall and Sandra Marayen, have started to do small engagement events within the town. So far, all 3 events have been well received and lots of people have attended. These events will continue throughout the year in different areas of Harlow. If you would like us to be part of a local event that you are organising, please email
HarlowCPT@Essex.Police.uk
Look out for our Coffee with Cops and Street Meets also taking place around Harlow. For more details please follow our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Crime Prevention Is that car really for sale?
Essex Police has seen an increase in residents purchasing vehicles online and paying the full amount without ever having seen the car in person. When they arrive to collect the vehicle, it does not exist.
Top tips:
• Always view and test drive the car before buying - arrange to view in the daylight, preferably when it’s dry. Make sure you’re insured and test drive the car for about 15 minutes on different types of road. • Buy from an established firm or trusted seller - you can look for a trade association sign or for sellers that have been inspected by an independent engineer or motoring organisation. • Use a secure method of payment - once you are satisfied with what you are buying, use a secure method of payment such as a credit card to ensure you are protected if something goes wrong.
You’re not alone
We have dedicated, specially trained officers to investigate sexual and domestic abuse offences and support victims. Sexual violence and abuse is unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances, in any situation. We’re here to help and protect you. If you have been affected or have information about a domestic or sexual offence, report it to us either by using our #digital101 services, which you can access on our website, by calling us on 101, or making an anonymous report to independent charity Crimestoppers. In an emergency always call 999.
The government funds a number of charities who provide support and they are ensuring these charities remain open during this challenging time. If you need help and support, visit:
www.synergyessex.org
For more information visit www.
essex.police.uk/advice/adviceand-information
Protecting and serving Harlow
The ringleaders of an organised crime group which supplied drugs to county lines gangs have been jailed for a combined total of more than 40 years.
The Harlow based network smuggled cocaine in containers through ports before selling it on to gangs supplying west Essex, Hertfordshire, London and Suffolk - estimated to have earned them at least £500,000 which was stashed in Bitcoin or laundered through a pub one of the gang was a licensee of.
Officers seized more than £100,000 in cash, assets and weapons as well as £120,000 worth of cocaine during warrants in Harlow and Suffolk last October.
Read more about the case and see pictures from our warrants at
www.essex.police.uk
Open for Business Closed for Crime
Our Open for Business Closed for Crime campaign aims to encourage people working in shops and businesses to report violence and abuse to us.
Find out more about the campaign and how to report incidents of violence or abuse at: www.essex.police.uk
PAHT people recognised with
special award Lance McCarthy, chief executive of PAHT, said: “I was proud and
humbled to receive this special award on behalf of all my colleagues at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. “On behalf of all at PAHT, thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate our people. It is wonderful for our people to be acknowledged in this way. “I’d also like to thank the community for their support, including all of their gifts, donations, and kind words over the last year and to thank the chair, chief executive and all at Harlow Council for their unerring and continued support for the hospital.”
The community have recognised our people with a special award. Local people nominated PAHT for a Civic Award, which was formally accepted by Lance McCarthy, chief executive, from the then chair of Harlow Council, Councillor Maggie Hulcoop, in a socially distanced presentation held in May.
The annual initiative, usually involving award nominations from a councillor, was extended to the public this year. The community nominated unsung heroes who they would like to see recognised, resulting in several nominations for staff at PAHT.
We’re building a new hospital for the future, together. You can have your say by joining one of our engagement events this autumn; we want to hear your ideas.
In the meantime, are you a member of a local community group or network? Could we run an engagement session with you? Join your virtual meetings or come along to speak at one of your local events?
Your new hospital needs you
Get in touch
• Email us paht.newhospital@nhs.net • Sign up for our e-newsletter: https://
www.pah.nhs.uk/have-your-say
• Find out more online: https://www.
pah.nhs.uk/newhospital
We want to thank our tenant and leaseholder representatives for their continuous help, support and feedback which have helped reshape the Housing Service and ensure services are targeted towards the needs of local people. Harlow Council has made a commitment to listen, involve and empower tenant and leaseholders, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen this relationship.
Once again, thank you for all the hard work and feedback you have given us.
Direct Debits
It is now easier to pay your council bills by Direct Debit.
We offer a number of choices of payment dates within the month: 1, 8, 15 and 25 for rent, 5, 15 and 25 for leaseholder service charges and 1, 8, 15 and 25 for Council Tax.
Direct Debit spreads your payments evenly throughout the year and once set up you won’t have to worry about getting behind with payments.
To set up a Direct Debit call Contact Harlow on 01279 446655 or visit our website
www.harlow.gov.uk
What to do before altering your home
Before applying for our permission to alter your council home you must ensure that the people employed to carry out the work are competent and qualified. They must also be able to complete the work to the design and standards agreed with us. Here’s where to check:
• Architects – www.architects-register.org.uk • Structural engineers – www.ice.org.uk • Building surveyors – www.ciob.org, www.cbuilde.com, www.rics.org/uk/find-a-member • Gas heating systems – www.gassaferegister.co.uk • Electrical installations – www.necic.com • Replacement windows and doors – www.fensa.org.uk
Leaseholders must pay a fee of £275 in advance if wishing to replace windows.
All warranties and guarantees must be in the name of Harlow Council.
Quotations from tradespeople or businesses accredited to the TrustMark standard, which is a government quality standard scheme, could also be obtained. Visit www.trustmark.org.uk for more information. may require a Party Wall Agreement between the council and neighbouring properties, and a Build Over Agreement with your drainage utility supplier if a proposed structure crosses over existing draining systems.
If you live in a leasehold property but are not the leaseholder, you won’t be allowed to make alterations to the property. If you are a leaseholder, all alterations that you make to your home may result in an amendment to your lease by way of a Deed of Variation.
Extensions, conservatories, internal walls
Work involving structural changes inside or outside the property, and/or to outbuildings
Before carrying out work, visit
www.harlow.gov.uk/homealterations
Barbecue safety
Like any source of fire, barbecues can present a risk. Anyone living in or visiting council properties should be aware that barbecues are not permitted on balconies, public rights of access, near gas or electrical services or near flat, house or block entrances or exits.
If you do use a barbecue, please make sure that you:
• Never leave a barbecue unattended. Keep children and pets well away. • Put the barbecue well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs and garden waste. • Don’t use too much barbecue fuel. Never use petrol, paraffin or other chemicals to start your barbecue or keep it going. • Make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it. • Only empty ashes onto bare garden soil. Don’t put them in dustbins or wheelie bins. If you wish to use a gas-fired barbecue:
• Never store gas cylinders under the stairs of your home or block. • Store gas barbecues and cylinders outside and away from your home or block. • Make sure barbecues and gas cylinders don’t block access routes and paths. You should also make sure that cylinders are stored away from frost and direct sunlight. • Take care when turning bottled gas barbecues on and off. Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder and turn the gas supply off first, then the barbecue control after cooking.
If you think your gas bottle is leaking, call the Calor Gas Emergencies number: 03457 444 999 and keep all people and pets away from it. If there is a fire call 999 immediately.
Leasehold buildings insurance
Your leasehold building insurance policy covers the structure of your flat, fixtures and fittings and any parts of communal areas stated in your lease that you are responsible for.
Subject to specified limits and conditions, the policy provides additional cover such as short-term accommodation costs, rent, and locks and keys. It does not cover the contents of your home or your personal possessions. You will need to provide your own separate contents cover.
If you have lost your policy or need an up-to-date one, visit www.harlow.gov.uk/leaseholder-
buildings-insurance
Give a child a second chance at childhood. Foster with our support.
“When they first arrived, they looked like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders. The eldest lost out on a large part of her childhood as she would often be left for long periods of time without food to look after her younger siblings. Now she can be a child again.” Foster carers can help children heal from their trauma by giving them a second chance at childhood.
Apply now and be their second chance.
www.essex.gov.uk/foster 0800 801 530
