payzone

BEKO

DAmP or CoNDENSATIoN? your HEALTH mATTErS

Each winter the housing teams • Vent tumble driers outside unless Your health really matters and we This could be eating our fve a receive an increased number they are designed for indoor use. want all our residents to be feeling day, walking to the shops instead of

advice on other housing options and much more.

Visit www.kenthomechoice.org.uk today to fnd out more.

KentHomechoice

kenthomechoice

of complaints about damp, • Keep a window ajar when cooking ft, well and happy. driving, and having more alcohol free with many of them needing nothing or bathing. Not looking after ourselves days each week. more than a dry cloth and an open • Keep doors closed, especially to the properly can increase the risk of If you need some ideas on how window to deal with condensation. kitchen and bathroom. us having health problems in the to have a healthy lifestyle then FLEXIBLE TENANCIES EXPLAINED

Condensation occurs where the • When running a bath, run both hot future; such as heart disease, stroke, look no further. You can get loads From April last year, most new All fexible tenancies are reviewed moisture in the air gets cooler and tiny and cold taps together and open a diabetes, liver problems, lung of advice, information and links to council tenants will have been given around nine months before they are water droplets appear on surfaces, window. problems and some cancers. useful and practical support at Kent a fexible fxed term tenancy of fve due to end to ensure that they remain for example when a mirror mists over • To help reduce condensation wipe But did you know that by making Homechoice.

As autumn fast approaches, years, rather than a tenancy for life. suitable for your needs. As part of the when you have a bath. It usually off excess moisture on windows, small changes in our day-to-day Kent Homechoice is the choice- PAyzoNE SwIPECArD and we look back at the We have produced an information review you will be required, as set out happens during cold weather and walls etc with a cloth and wring out lives can lead to huge benefts to our based letting service for all social CHArgE wArNINg! warm summer months, it’s leafet which explains what you can in your Tenancy Agreement, to provide appears on cold surfaces in places in the sink. DArTForD BorougH health and wellbeing? housing in Kent. It also provides Tenants using their

time to think about preparing the expect from your fexible tenancy and us with proof of income and savings on where there is little movement of • If mould growth appears use a rESIDENTS’ Forum (DBrF) swipecard to pay colder times ahead. Whether it’s gives answers to some of the most an annual basis; failure to do this may air such as corners of rooms, on fungicidal mould wash as per ANNuAL gENErAL mEETINg A healthy lifestyle is Benefts of a healthy lifestyle their rent at Payzone keeping on top of condensation, frequently asked questions such as: mean that you are breaching the terms or near windows. If condensation the manufacturer’s instructions. The DBRF are holding their next • eating a balanced diet • you’ll feel better outlets are reminded preventing any unwanted • What is a fexible tenancy? of your Tenancy Agreement. If you persists mould can start to grow, Redecorate affected areas using a Annual General Meeting on Tuesday • exercising regularly • you’ll look better that there is no extra houseguests moving in or getting • Who will become a fexible tenant? would like more information on fexible which although unsightly, shouldn’t fungicidal paint. 7 October at Acacia Hall, Dartford. • quitting smoking • you’ll sleep better charge for payingthe best deal on your energy • Are there any differences between tenancies please call your housing be confused with rising damp, which • Maintain an even temperature within Guest presentations from Cllr Jeremy • not drinking too much alcohol • your energy levels will increase by cash. Suppliers supply to keep you and your family a lifetime tenancy and a fxed term offcer. is an altogether more problematic your home, i.e. low level heating all Kite, Leader of the Council and • thinking positively • your mental outlook will improve may make a charge warm, there’s plenty of information tenancy? If you would like a copy of the leafet issue. Residents can help to prevent day rather than quick blasts when Sharon Phillips, Healthy Living Centre • keeping a regular check on our • you may need to see your GP for paying via a credit or debit card to help you on page 3. • Will I have to provide details of my please call your housing offcer or visit condensation by following these very necessary. Manager. Doors open at 6.30pm for health less often but never if paying by cash. Anyone

Anyone wishing to improve their income and circumstances? our website at www.dartford.gov.uk/ simple steps: light refreshments and a 6.45pm being told that they are to be charged health can look no further than • What happens if my fexible tenancy by-category/housing2/council-housing/ • Cover saucepans and don’t leave For more information on condensation start. Come along and fnd out what’s for using their swipe card, and page 4 for information from Kent is coming to an end? your-tenancy-explained kettles/pans boiling for longer than you can check out our website www. been happening in your area. Tell us 2014/15 Quarter 1 paying by cash, should report this to Homechoice. Kent Homechoice can • What happens if I break my fexible necessary. dartford.gov.uk/condensation or call what you think via our short survey How ArE wE mEASurINg uP?

20.63

100.1%

100.0%

92.2%

89%

27

21

99%

100%

98%

98%

N/A

Target the Council on 01322 343134 or by be followed online in several ways, Tenancy Agreement? • Dry clothes outside – or with a 01322 343800 to fnd out what you and win £25 High Street Vouchers to emailing rents@dartford.gov.uk Average days for void turnaround and we hope that this makes it easy window ajar if indoors. can do to prevent condensation and take away on the night! for you to get local information that is Percentage of rent collected due in the year • Don’t cover any airbricks or window mould in your home. DArTForD CouNTy CourT

(including arrears B/F) vents. Tenants are advised that the counter at Dartford County Court Percentage of emergency repairs completed in time has closed with all enquiries being

Percentage of urgent repairs completed in time handled either online or over the ENErgy DEAL IS BACk! telephone. Percentage of non-urgent repairs completed in time Register now for Energy Deal to help you save on your energy bill! Visit www.energydealswitch.com, call 01322 343056 or The only exception to this pop in to the Civic Centre on 30 September or 8 October to register. Number of housing related ASB cases is appointments to suspend

warrants, or for Affdavits and Statutory Declarations. To make an appointment, for example to suspend PEST CoNTroL ESTATE INSPECTIoNS

Ta warrant for eviction, you will need to

enants are reminded that they Please note however that the Council From clearing litter, fxing broken handles, cutting hedges and fxing guttering call 01322 627612. Appointments are are responsible for the dealing does not provide a treatment service for: – we’re working through your ‘to-do’ list! available Monday to Friday between with any pest problems that • Bees: Please contact the Kent If you have something bugging you then why not help us by

Outside Warren Court main door

10am and 2pm. they have at their home. Bee Keeping Association who coming and pointing it out on an estate inspection. If you have a general enquiry you,

The Council offer a free pest control can provide extensive information call the general enquiry number on service in domestic properties for the relating to bees, which includes a list of control. If an area is suitable for OCTOBER 2014 01322 627600 or visit www.justice. eradication of infestations of rats but a of registered beekeepers. supporting squirrels it is likely to Date: Time: Area: Meeting point: gov.uk for information and all forms charge is made for the following: • Foxes: If you are having a problem be recolonized if an original colony 1 Oct 10am Stone 1-12 Bevis Close for Court. • mice with foxes in your garden or you is removed. Proofng of vulnerable 8 Oct 10am Tree Estate Tenants struggling to pay their • wasps* have found a sick or injured fox, you areas such as loft spaces of 15 Oct 10am Swanscombe 33-39 Durrant Way rent must call the Council on 01322 • plus advice on the eradication of can contact a charity specifcally buildings may be ultimately a more 22 Oct 10am Temple Hill Joyce Green Lane Playground 343134. The Council will help and

other pests(i.e feas, squirrels or dedicated to foxes as they operate cost effective means of preventing support tenants in order to avoid pigeons ) a specialist fox deterrence and the damage squirrels cause. NOVEMBER 2014 taking legal or Court action. Tenants

*Please note that we spray wasp nests advice service which is effective and • Pigeons: A number of professional 5 Nov 10am Temple Hill Hilltop Gardens Sheltered Scheme are also reminded that the court from the outside of the property and for humane. They also provide care for pest control companies offer 12 Nov 10am Temple Hill Patterson Court fee has recently increased to £250. this reason can only treat properties that sick and injured foxes. services for pigeons, many of which 19 Nov 10am Temple Hill Bridges Drive This means tenants who do not pay are no more than two stories high at • Squirrels: Although many persons can be found in the Yellow Pages or 26 Nov 10am Galley Hill/Swanscombe 1-6 Gilbert Close/Davidson House their rent, and do not work with us gutter level may classify the grey squirrel as a Thomson Directory. to tackle their arrears, not only risk

Call 01322 343373 or 343374 to pest, others will see it as a part of DECEMBER 2014 losing their home but will also have speak to Environmental Health for the natural environment. To try to If you require further advice of 3 Dec 10am Longfeld Fawkham Road Flats diffculty getting credit at a later date details or check out the information and eradicate squirrels from an area is assistance or advice on pest control 11am Southfeet Ingress Terrace as a county court judgement will be costs at www.dartford.gov.uk probably not an effective method contact 01322 343373 or 343374. 10 Dec 10am Alamein Gardens Community Hall taken against them.

relevant for you. With the introduction of Flexible

Tenancies last year, you may have questions about what this means. See the article, right, for details of this new type of tenancy and how to access our new leafet which contains more information.

To be kept up to date with news of our services and events, and in case we need to contact you in an emergency, make sure we have up to date contact details for you, including a mobile number (page 5).

Councillor Pat Coleman Member for Housing and Housing Services

EVERY effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material and any third party opinions contained in this publication. However, Dartford Borough Council accepts no liability whatsoever for the accuracy of the publication nor for any decisions, which may at any time be based upon it. Any advice and guidelines are provided in good faith and are not intended as either prescriptive or as a guarantee against any problems which may arise.

Material in this publication is protected by copyright. Except where otherwise stated the copyright owner is Dartford Borough Council. This publication, excluding logos, photographs of identifable individuals and other material whose copyright is held by a person/

organisation other than Dartford Borough Council, may be reproduced free of charge in any format or median for research, private study or for internal circulation within an organisation. This is subject to it being reproduced accurately and not used in any misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Dartford Borough Council copyright and the title of the publication specifed.

No alterations or additions may be made to the material in this publication. The material in this publication may not be sold or misappropriated.

For any other use of this material, please write to the Housing Information Offcer, Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1DR. Or email information.offcer.housing@dartford.gov.uk. If you require further copies of ‘the Link’ please call 01322 343682.

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO CANNOT READ THIS BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW OF ITS CONTENT, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE A COPY IN A SUITABLE FORMAT.

BEKO IS STILL SEEKING SOME OLDER MODELS OF BEKO, FLAVEL AND LEISURE GAS COOKERS THAT CAN PRODUCE POTENTIALLY FATAL LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE, IF USED INCORRECTLY WITH THE GRILL DOOR CLOSED.

IF YOU HAVE A GAS COOKER IN YOUR HOME THEN MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT AT RISK BY ASKING YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1 Is it a Beko, Flavel or Leisure? 2 Does it have a separate oven and grill? 3 Does the serial number begin

03,04,05,06,07,08? (this can be found on the cooker, as shown in the diagram shown left)

If the answer is yes to all 3 questions then urgently call us on 0800 917 2018 or go to www.beko.co.uk for further information.

Note: this safety information is part of Beko’s ongoing corrective action of old models, and does not affect any current appliance range

Serial Number

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING FOR RESIDENTS

• • • ------.-----..-,,..-----.-- . • • • • • • • •

•

• • • • • • •

DARTFORD ORCHARD THEATRE

kENT TrAININg muTuAL EXCHANgE ProgrAmmE As a tenant, you may be interested in Tenants of moving to a new area or more suitable Dartford Council home if yours is too big or small for have the you. The mutual exchange scheme opportunity for helps tenants who want to exchange free training as Kent Homechoice bidding line:

part of a Kent You can contact Dartford Borough PAy By DIrECT DEBIT or ‘swap’ homes do this, and enables 0906 294 0020 Council via its main switchboard those who might not otherwise qualify wide training on 01322 343434 Monday to Leaseholder service changes: AND wIN A PrIzE! for a transfer to move. To move by programme, 01322 343368 Friday between 8.45am and mutual exchange you must have run by the Kent Paying your rent has never been leaseholders@dartford.gov.uk 5.15pm (4.45pm on Fridays). a secure tenancy with a clear rent HOW CAN I FIND ANOTHER Engagement Group. easier! You can pay on the 1st, 9th,

Payments: account and you will not qualify for TENANT TO ARRANGE A MuTuAL The training is free and lunch will At any other time, call the 16th or 23rd of the month and all To pay rent, service charges, Council the Downsize for Cash scheme. ExCHANGE? be provided for full day courses. emergency out of hours line on you have to do is fll out a form and Tax or set up a Direct Debit visit To fnd someone to exchange with Topics include: 0845 634 1212. we’ll do the rest. www.dartford.gov.uk/do-it-online or WHAT IS A ‘MuTuAL ExCHANGE’? you can join Exchange Locata. • Beginners and Next Level IT You can also visit our website All tenants and leaseholders call 01322 343760 A mutual exchange happens when Simply register your details at www. courses www.dartford.gov.uk paying their bills by Direct Debit are

two tenants decide to swap tenancies exchangelocata.org.uk. On approval • Budgeting/money saving or write to us at: Refuse, recycling & cleansing: entered into a monthly prize draw (or when three or more tenants from the Council, your property will • Food Hygiene Level 2 Dartford Borough Council 01322 343290 for a pair of Orchard Theatre show decide to move round in a ‘chain’) be advertised on the website and you • Paediatric First Aid Level 2 Civic Centre Rents team (for help with rents, tickets. Payments are automatically and means that you take over the will be able to search for homes in • Emergency First Aid at Work Home Gardens payments and arrears): adjusted each year to take account other party’s tenancy with any rights Kent and elsewhere. If you’re already • CSCS Card Dartford 01322 343134 of any changes to the amount you or limitations that go with it. This registered with Kent Homechoice you • Presentation Skills & Assertiveness Kent DA1 1DR rents@dartford.gov.uk need to pay and you can keep track must be with the agreement of your can use your application reference of your payments through your bank Resident involvement offcer respective landlords and never number. If you do not have access You can fnd the full KEG statement. (Louise Gray): Allocations: involves an empty property. to the internet you can visit the self- Training Programme at www. If you would like to pay your rent 01322 343841 01322 343907 Important: Please note that a service computers in the reception kenthousinggroup.org.uk with details by Direct Debit, please download a

Right to Buy: mutual exchange will only be allowed area at the Civic Centre, where on how to book, or you can call the Benefts: form from www.dartford.gov.uk/do-it­01322 343832 where both properties are suitable someone can assist you if needed. resident involvement offcer on 01322 01322 343705 online or contact the rents section on righttobuy@dartford.gov.uk for a tenant’s needs and they will not 343682 for a copy to be sent to you. 01322 343134. Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB):

be under-occupied. If you are unsure DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR REMOVAL Senior supported housing offcer 01322 224686 about this please speak to your COSTS? DArTForDBC TEXTINg - (Terry Smith):

Community centres: housing offcer as soon as possible. Yes, tenants going ahead with DoN’T mISS ouT! 01322 343366

01322 343902/343066 a mutual exchange pay all their Make sure we have your mobile Supported housing: community.centres@dartford.gov.uk

DO BOTH TENANTS HAVE TO BE own removal costs and incidental number so we can let you know supported@dartford.gov.uk Community Safety unit: DARTFORD BOROuGH COuNCIL expenses. Never accept any offer of about the latest housing news, 01322 343000 DArTForD DomESTIC TENANTS? payment or other incentive to carry events and appointments. The www.safedartford.gov.uk Text service: No, the scheme also works for tenants out an exchange. It is illegal and Housing Services text service, offers

Text REPAIR, CHASE or RENT ABuSE oNE SToP SHoP of housing associations. However, could lead to you losing your home. a convenient, cost effective way Council Tax:

followed by your surname, frst line tenancy conditions for housing to keep in touch with tenants and 01322 343700 The one stop shop brings together of your address and details of the associations are different to those of For further information please call leaseholders. If you wish to respond Domestic Abuse Information Line representatives from Dartford service you require to 07881 668706. the Council. 01322 343065. to a text, please text DBC followed (Kent and Medway): Borough Council’s housing

by your text to 88802. This service is 0845 603 6813 Emergencies should be reported department, the Police, Women’s not to be used for emergency contact verbally via the offce or out of hours Aid and Neves Scott Brand Solicitors Housing repairs: DowNSIzE For CASH with housing services, and please contact numbers above. all offering free advice on issues 01322 343800 allow up to fve working days for a Examples of text: concerning domestic abuse. www.dartford.gov.uk/housing/

Is your home too big for you? Would it be better response. interactive.htm • REPAIR Mrs Smith 65 Tintagel suited to a larger family? If the answer is yes, we can e.g. Text to 88802 oPENINg HourS repairs@dartford.gov.uk Manor in all day Tuesdays help you move and pay you for the rooms you are DBC please contact me with more Every Tuesday between 9.30am and blocked toilet Housing options & advice: giving up. Downsizing will also assist tenants who are info about this event. 12 noon at Dartford Citizens Advice

01322 343814/343082 • CHASE 47 Cooke Street repair affected by reductions in housing beneft. Bureau, Trinity Resource Centre, front door The ‘Downsize for Cash’ scheme offers a fnancial BE THE FIrST To kNow... Housing management team (for near Holy Trinity Church, Dartford. All

reward to secure tenants who are under-occupying their With so many great events taking help with tenancy issues, anti-social • RENT Mr Smith 45 Main Street advice is free to anyone visiting the homes and helps them to move to a smaller property. place in Dartford, it’s always good to behaviour, etc): check payment amount shop. This then frees up larger properties for families in need. be the frst to know what’s going on! 01322 343133

To be eligible, secure tenants need to be under-occupying their You can sign up for email updates Housing services: grAvESHAm oNE SToP SHoP home by one or more bedrooms and be willing to move to a smaller property on a range of topics from events to housing.services@dartford.gov.uk Every Thursday between 10am and (for instance from a three bedroom property to a two bedroom property). energy effciency by visiting 12 noon at Civic Centre, 132 Windmill Kent Highways:

If you are eligible to take part in the scheme, you will currently receive £500 www.dartford.gov.uk and clicking Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1Au. 03000 41 81 81 for each bedroom and parlour released plus £100 to help with moving costs. on the ‘Stay Connected’ logo at the Additional funding may be available for removal and packing expenses too. For top of the screen. Then just follow The next issue of the Link will be with you in December. SwANLEy oNE SToP SHoP more information, call the team on 01322 343378 or email housingoptions@ the instructions to add your details Every Wednesday, 9.30am-11.30am RECYCLE ME! Finished reading the Link? Put me in your recycling bin or dartford.gov.uk and select the updates you wish to at Swanley Children’s Centre, pass me on for family or friends to read...

Full details of the Policy are available at www.dartford.gov.uk/housing receive. Northview, Swanley, BR8 7BT.

www.dartford.gov.uk/housing t: 01322 343434 out of hours: 0845 634 1212

news for tenants and leaseholders • aUtUMn 2014

FLEXIBLE TENANCIES EXPLAINED Helping you understand your tenancy

ENErgy DEAL IS BACk! reducing your energy bills

PLuS Training courses, housing options, Dartford Borough residents’ Forum news and much more!

It’s BlooMInG Great! the thUrsdaY MarKet

has a new hoMe In dartford hIGh street!