TENANT’S NEWSLETTER SPRING 2016 Credit Union Membership Fees Ayrshire Housing’s Board recently agreed to pay the monthly fees for the next three years for any of our tenants who have an open and active bank account or wish to open an account with 1st Alliance Credit Union. This will take effect from 1 April 2016. This shows how keen our Board are to encourage tenants to consider opening and maintaining credit union bank accounts and is part of our overall approach to trying to lessen some of the impacts of welfare reforms and financial hardships that our tenants are facing. 1st Alliance offers a number of very attractive products including access to affordable loans and are very much aware of the need to provide access to banking products which might otherwise be unaffordable to many of its members and also many of our tenants. Ayrshire Housing has worked in partnership with 1st Alliance for almost 3 years and we are keen to continue to work with them for the benefit of our tenants, many of whom have already been accessing the services which 1st Alliance provide. If you are interested in becoming a member of 1st Alliance Credit Union and wish to open a bank account with them then please do not hesitate to contact your housing officer who will assist you with your application.
Upcoming Housing Benefit Changes From April 2016 - the maximum period for which someone’s Housing Benefit can be backdated will be reduced from 6 months to 1 month, even in exceptional cases. We know that for a number of reasons it can sometimes be difficult for tenants to make a timely claim for Housing Benefit and the ability to ask for a claim to be backdated if there was good cause often provided some valuable breathing space in such cases. This breathing space has been significantly reduced by the change from 6 months to 1 month and it is therefore critical that claims for Housing Benefit are made as quickly as possible. From May 2016 – the Family Premium is being abolished for new claims for Housing Benefit. From Autumn 2016 – the Benefit Cap i.e. the maximum amount of benefits a household can receive, will reduce from £26,000 to £20,000.
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www.ayrshirehousing.org.uk Text Message 07527360360 Telephone (01292) 880120 or Lo-Call 0845 271232
Rent Arrears and Rent Payments The Board were delighted to note recently that our current tenants’ rent arrears were at their lowest level for the past 3 years. During a time when tenants are facing severe financial difficulties including those associated with welfare reforms it is fantastic to report that tenants acknowledge the importance of prioritising rent payments when making difficult decisions regarding household budgeting. While there have been a few occasions when we have had to take legal action to recover tenancies from habitual non-payers, the vast majority of our tenants have been making huge efforts to pay the rent due on time. Without these levels of income the association would simply not be able to carry out repairs, maintenance and improvements to our houses to the current levels. There is a direct link between payment of rent and the standards of service which can be provided. As mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter, most of our tenants are of the opinion that the rent charged and the services provided demonstrates value for money and this is clearly reflected in the current payment rates and the comparatively low levels of arrears.
Rent Review—Survey Feedback In January we issued questionnaires to the 122 tenants who are members of our Consultation Panel. The survey covered a number of areas including seeking views on whether our rents provide value for money and it also asked tenants to highlight what particular services were important. We were delighted to note that the majority of respondents were of the opinion that the rents charged did represent value for money. The two most important services carried out by the association in the opinion of the respondents were “maintenance and repair” along with “improving properties”. We also presented a range of options for the review of rent levels for 2016/17 and provided some information as to the implications for each option. Most who responded to this part of the survey indicated that they were in favour of an increase set above the rate of inflation. The Board had agreed initially to consult on a possible increase of 2%. Following the conclusion of the review of this year’s budget the Board agreed to an increase of 1.3% which was 0.7% less than the consultation figure. We are very grateful to all who participated in the review and provided feedback on the consultation. All those who responded were entered into a prize draw for a £25 Marks & Spencer voucher and we are delighted to announce that the lucky winner of the voucher was Mr McDonald of South Harbour Street, Ayr. CONGRATULATIONS Mr McDonald! Pictured right: Paul Torrance, Board Member, picking the winner!
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FLY– TIPPING! WASTE CAN ONLY BE DEPOSITED AT AUTHORISED SITES! Anyone fly-tipping waste is committing a serious offence. Fines range from £200 to £40,000 and an offender can be sent to prison. Put your domestic waste in the bins provided by your local authority. Take your excess waste to your local community recycling centre. There is no charge for householders. South Ayrshire Council is tackling fly-tipping with the help of enforcement officers, CCTV cameras and the general public. South Ayrshire Council currently provides 4 recycling centres: Maybole Recycling Centre Seaton Street, Maybole, KA19 7BG www.south-ayrshire.goc.uk/waste/ recycling/maybole
Girvan Recycling Centre Old Street, Girvan, KA26 9HG www.south-ayrshire.goc.uk/waste/ recycling/girvan
Troon Recycling Centre Post Ranald Drive, Troon, KA10 6DJ www.south-ayrshire.goc.uk/waste/ recycling/troon
Ayr Recycling Centre Old Farm Road, Heathfield, Ayr KA8 9ST www.south-ayrshire.goc.uk/waste/ recycling/ayr
SPECIAL UPLIFT GUIDE The Special Uplift Service is essentially for the collection of bulky waste items. To arrange a Special Uplift please telephone South Ayrshire Waste and Recycling section on: 0300 120 0900. Cost will be confirmed at time of booking.
If you see anyone dumping rubbish illegally then call South Ayrshire Customer Services on
0300 123 0900 or report it online at www.dumpdumpers.org
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King’s Arms, Dailly Development We should start work later this year on a small but important development in Dailly. After a complex legal process, we have been able to acquire the site of the demolished King’s Arms Hotel, Dailly. At present, the site blights the village centre. It will be transformed with two new blocks designed in keeping with the neighbouring houses. In total, there will be 4 two bedroom flats. They will be insulated to a very high standard to keep energy costs to a minimum.
SafetyRent Notice – Tumble Driers Increase 2015/2016 The attention of tenants has been drawn to a number of recent articles in the media regarding a safety notice initiated in November 2015 by Whirlpool Ltd affecting tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 under the brand names Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline. It has been highlighted that there is a risk of fire caused by fluff coming into contact with heating elements. The company's advice to owners of the products is: - Clean the lint filter after every use - Ensure proper venting - Don't leave dryers on when out of the house or asleep However, Which? and the Electrical Safety First charity both recommend that owners of the affected appliances do not use the dryers until they have been checked and modified. If you believe you have an affected appliance please stop using it immediately and visit the manufacturer’s website http://safety.hotpoint.eu/ to confirm and arrange a free visit from an engineer. The fault affects two broad types of tumble dryers - the large air-vented dryer and the condensing dryer sold under the Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda plus Swan and Proline brand names between April 2004 and September 2015. Owners of these appliances are advised to look for a green dot sticker inside the dryer - either on the door, the rim or the back panel. If you cannot find a green dot, call 0800 151 0905 or go to the Hotpoint or Indesit websites (owners of Creda dryers can check for their models on the Hotpoint site) and register for the product to be serviced and modified. Tumble dryers sold under the Whirlpool brand are understood not to be part of the safety alert.
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Cyclical Decoration Works Programme The association is currently in the process of seeking tenders for the cyclical external painting programme on the following estates: Hadyard Terrace / Eldinton Terrace and Woodside Avenue, Dailly Good Shepherd Court including Dalmilling Crescent / Dalmilling Road, Ayr West Sanquhar Avenue and West Sanquhar Place, Ayr Kirkbride Crescent / Kirkmichael Road, Crosshill Blackfriars Court, Ayr The Sandgate, Ayr St Andrews Court, Girvan Douneburn Crescent, Girvan Thornyflat Place, Ayr Affected tenants will be advised in due course and the works will be completed over the summer months.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: Product Recall窶認aulty Heater The association has also been made aware of an urgent safety matter due to a potential fault affecting fan heaters that may have been issued to provide temporary heating when heating systems have failed. The recall notice affects some Center FH-06A 2kW fan heaters due to a risk of the plug and/or fuse overheating and becoming a fire hazard. You may have received one of these heaters if the heating engineer was unable to repair your boiler, and as a result you required some temporary heating. The faulty product including make and model are pictured. The heater has two heat settings; 1000w & 2000w, with a cool/warm/hot function, and an adjustable thermostat. It has a product code of 10516. If you have been issued with one or more of these fan heaters please double check if you have this model. If you still have the heater(s) please dispose of it immediately following the normal waste disposal guidelines. There is no need to return the heater to the association but the heater should not be used.
Center FH-06A 2kW Fan Heater Please stop using immediately Alternatively contact the office on 01292 880120 to arrange an uplift.
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HOME IMPROVEMENTS OR ALTERATIONS If you’re thinking about making alterations or improvements to your home, such as putting up a garden shed, replacing a door or having a new kitchen fitted please bear in mind that you MUST let us know about the work you intend to carry out by completing an alterations/improvements form. Approval to undertake such alterations or improvements will not be withheld unreasonably but we may refuse some works or grant approval subject to certain conditions where these are considered necessary. The following is a list of the type of things that may be approved:
Installation of satellite dishes, receivers, aerials Installation of an electric shower over the bath or replacement sanitary ware Installation of additional electrical sockets (may be subject to building warrant approval in addition to landlord consent) Laying of patios or other alterations in back and front gardens Replacement gas fire where one exists Replacement of internal doors Erection of garden sheds / garages Erection of boundary fences in back gardens Provision of laminate flooring
The following is a list of things for which approval may not be granted:
Installation of new gas fire where none exists at present Changing external paint work Any work involving structural alterations
Some works may be subject to conditions including the need to obtain planning or building warrant consent in addition to landlord consent granted by Ayrshire Housing. Conditions will also be imposed regarding the need to obtain the services of qualified tradesmen for gas and electrical works. If you want to carry out an alteration or improvement? Please contact the office for a form or advice. Remember you can only start the works after you have received a letter from the association confirming approval of the proposed alteration or improvement.
Right to Compensation for Improvements Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Tenants may be able to receive Compensation for Improvements which they have made to their home on or after 30 September 2002. In order to qualify for such compensation, the improvement must have been subject to prior approval by the association and the tenancy must have ended. It is also necessary to provide receipted invoices for the completed works. There are a number of restrictions regarding compensation and the following are examples of when compensation will not be paid: where repossession of the property has occurred where the tenant has exercised their Right to Buy where there has been a tenancy change but the former tenant remains in the property. If you are ending your tenancy and think you are entitled to compensation, you must apply in writing up to 28 days before the tenancy ends and up to 21 days after. Please ensure claims for compensation contain sufficient information to enable the claim to be processed. It should be noted that the amount of compensation payable is calculated in accordance with a discounting formula which reduces the value of the payment dependant on the length of time the improvement has been in place. If you would like more information, please contact the office on 01292 880120.
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AYRSHIRE HOUSING’S
This is a shout out for all talented tenants! Are you a keen photographer? Like to draw/paint or write stories? Entertainer? Never throw away because you can ‘upcycle’? Traditional talent or unique? Even turn an old piece of wood /metal into a work of art? Don’t delay....we want to hear from you! We would like to recognise the talent within Ayrshire Housing and showcase your skills in our Newsletter and our website. If you would like to tell us of your talents or know someone who is, email us with the details at info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk or write to us at Ayrshire Housing 119 Main Street, Ayr KA8 8BX, and you could be in with a chance of appearing in our next Newsletter!
It’s Spring time and the Easter Bunny has been and left some Easter eggs! Colour the eggs in and complete the word search!
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PET COMPETITION ENTRY FORM 2016 It is time for our ever popular Pet of the Year Competition. To enter send along a picture of your pet with an explanation of why they deserve to win. Name
________________________________________
Address
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Tel/Email
________________________________________
Pet Breed ________________________________________ Pet Name _____________________________________
Ruby, our PR Guru, wants to hear from you! You can also email your photos with a story! ruby@ayrshirehousing.org.uk
GARDEN COMPETITION ENTRY FORM 2016 Spring has arrived and it’s time to head out into your garden. Enter our Annual Garden Competition to show off your horticultural skills. Just complete and return this entry form to us. Name
_________________________
Address
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
Tel
_________________________
_________________________
Garden
Window Box
Container
Best Kept Close
We can supply this document in a print size to suit. It is also available in Braille, audio and other formats, and in other languages. Our website also has several accessibility features which you may find useful. 8
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