chatter box - pha homes...out payday loans which have extortionate interest rates. up to 42% of...

Maintenance of your homesThe Cyclical Works programme for 2014 will allow for external redecoration of around five properties subject to inspection. The Planned Maintenance programme for this year has provision for up to twenty new kitchens and twenty new bathrooms and these will be decided following the condition surveys. Additionally, the Stock Condition Survey has indicated a need to replace a number of gas boilers and a programme to replace 25 boilers has been agreed. The Association has a rolling programme of condition surveys whereby 20% of all properties are reviewed each year so as to ensure all properties are viewed every five years.

The Property Manager will arrange to visit properties to carry out these routine inspections and tenants are urged to co-operate with appointments so that the Association has full knowledge of the condition of our stock and therefore what maintenance work is required.

Resident’sscrutiny panel

Tips for treemaintenance

Page No. 5 Page No. 3

Chatter Box Summer 2014

In this issue...

Tel: 01730 263 589Email: [email protected]

Petersfield Housing Association32 Lavant Street, Petersfield,Hampshire GU32 3EF

. Maintenance of your homes

New Houses in Paddock WayPage 2.

Page 3.

Page 4.

Page 5.

Page 6.

Page 7.

Help with money

Happy 40th Anniversary to us!

Launch of our new website

Calling all kids...competition!

Retro rock bun recipe

In the spring edition of Chatterbox we told you about 2 new houses being built at Paddock Way in Petersfield.

Building began in September 2013 to build two semi detached two bedroom houses. The land was already owned by Petersfield Housing Association, and was not being utilised by the residents and so it was a perfect spot to redevelop. The houses were completed in April and the new families moved in immediately.

Claire House was offered one of the new houses and wrote what moving into her new home means to her and her family:

“After a rough start going into a hostel with a feeling of no hope of ever getting out, and a 2 year old daughter regressing, it was a horrible situation. But then I was offered a fantastic life changing new build house with all the space one dreams about - things were looking up for us. It’s a fantastic estate full of young families, who are very welcoming.”

New houses at Paddock Way

.

Claire outside her new home

Under the new Social Housing Fraud Act, which came into effect in October 2013, it is now a criminal offence to sublet your home. As an assured tenant, you still have the right to

sublet part of your home with our written permission, but you must not sublet all of it. If you do, you will be in breach of your tenancy conditions and will be committing a criminal offence with a potential two year jail term. Courts also now have the

power to make an order forcing tenants to repay anyprofits made by sub-letting.

Sub-letting your home is nowa criminal offence

Well, it could save you money off your gas bill, and reduce the chances of it breaking down when you really need it.

Servicing a boiler helps it run as well as it can. A bit like servicing a car, you can expect it to run more smoothly and economically. Gas bills are expensive and serviced boilers can be up to 15% more efficient as well as helping the environment and gas supplies to last longer. As your landlord, Petersfield Housing has a legal duty to check the safety of the gas appliances that we have supplied in your home. We need to access your home to carry out these checks, and letting us in when we have an arranged appointment forms part of your tenancy agreement.

A service only takes around one hour, and helps to find minor problems before they become major ones.

The Heating Engineer will check:

Isn’t this worth an hour of your time?

The boiler meets gas, building and electrical safety regulationsControls and operationAll the components like the burner, flue and fanEfficiency of burning the gasAir tightness tests to protect you from potentially lethal Carbon Monoxide, which is invisible and has no smellWhen the boiler stops working it means no heating and no hot water.

The most common reason for kitchen sinks backing up is because fat, oil or

grease has been poured down the plughole and has solidified, blocking the drain. Unblocking sink drains is a tenant responsibility. Instead of pouring such substances into the sink, put unwanted fat and grease into an old plastic container with a lid and dispose into the bin.

Blocked drains in the bathroom are often caused by human hair combining with

soap residue. Hair traps are a cheap and simple solution when fitted into the bath and shower plugholes. Cleaned out regularly, this will avoid the inconvenience of a blocked drain.

TOP TIPS

At some point or another in our lives most of us need some help managing our money. With Bedroom Tax and Universal Credit both being brought in this year it is a given that more people will need help and advice with budgeting and debt management.

There are a number of free organisations out there to help you with this. The most important thing is that you deal with the issue before it spirals out of control - it is very easy to ignore money issues and hope they go away but without action they never will. There are companies who will exploit those with money issues, offering them quick fix solutions that actually make matters far worse. As an example the charity Stepchange has noted a worrying increase in people taking out Payday loans which have extortionate interest rates. Up to 42% of their clients now have them with amounts over £1300. As these loans are meant to be repaid on payday so that no interest is incurred this is especially worrying as the loans are far higher that most people’s monthly take home salary, meaning that debts will just increase.

Free organisations you can contact are:

This should always be your first stop if you feel that you are having trouble managing your money. It is never too early to get help. They are free, local and can provide advice on budgeting, your rights and ensuring that you are getting all the money that you are entitled to. Go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk

This service aims to prevent people from getting into serious debt. They provide free, unbiased advice on budgeting including budget calculators, comparisons on the best loans and lots of tips on how to manage your money no matter what life throws at you. They also provide template letters that you can send to your creditors to make payment plans. Go to www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or phone them free on 0300 500 5000.

Please remember if you do intend to take out a loan make sure you do comparison searches for the best interest rates, and if you do take out a Payday loan make sure you are able to pay this back in full on your next payday.

Help with money?

.

• A pregnant goldfish is called a ‘twit’

• Apples are more efficient at waking you up in the morning than caffeine is

• Your nose and ears never stop growing

• If you sleep in a cold room you are more likely to have a bad dream

• Frogs never drink. They absorb water from their surroundings

• A crocodile can’t stick its tongue out

• A duck’s quack doesn’t echo, but no one knows why

• A raisin dropped into a glass of champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top

• Leonardo da Vinci invented scissors

Report dead trees to help us avoid injury or damage.

If you want an independent quotation for tree work,we can help you find a qualified and insured tree surgeon.

It’s a legal requirement to prevent trees and vegetation from obstructing the road or pavement.

If you see fungus on a tree, report it so we can inspect.

Report any trees in your garden causing damage to your home or your neighbour’s home to help us to

avoid unnecessary repairs.We can advise you on what trees to plant and where

to plant them to avoid damage to your home.If you see a small tree growing in an awkward place,either dig it up or treat it with a suitable weed killer.

Check with your local authority for Tree Preservation Orders or Conservation Areas before you carry out tree work or you may be

fined or even prosecuted.

If trees and vegetation are hanging into your garden,it is your right to cut them back to the boundary line.



.

Fun on the Bouncy Castle

Hook a Duck

The Chairman of the Board David Walsh with Barry Charles, Property Manager

Face Painting

Happy Anniversary to us!40th

This year sees the Housing Association turn 40 years old.We held an event to celebrate this milestone and a good time was had by all. There was something for everyone and we had

Chef for the day, Andy Robinson, Housing Officer

.

Although the introduction of Universal Credit is yet to be confirmed the East Hampshire area, we continue to work with residents on a one to one basis with regard to helping prepare for the forthcoming changes to the benefit system.

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have been unable to begin our trials of individuals who are currently in receipt of Housing Benefit. We will be in touch with some residents who are likely to be affected to discuss the different ways in which to make rent payments and therefore be prepared for the changes.

If you would like to be included in the trials, please contact Sarah Clawson Housing Manager, on01730 263589.

PREPARING YOU FOR WELFARE REFORM CHANGES:

We’re really excited to tell you about our new website. Please take a look at www.petersfieldhsg.co.uk

We hope that you will find the website more eye catching, more informative and easier to use.

You can now:-

• Pay your rent via the website

• Report a repair via the website

• Contact us via the website

• Arrange your home contents insurance via the website

Every little helps……………!

We have now completed another successful year of our walkabouts. Overall we have been extremely impressed with the standard of our estates, with just a few areas that need attention.

The walkabouts took place in Rushes Farm, Paddock Way, Ramshill, East Meon and Fern Close.

All repairs that have been identified are in hand and will be completed shortly. The majority of identified works are regarding uneven paths and overgrown shrubbery. The Housing Manager

will contact individual tenants if the issues relate to tenantsown gardens.

In our last issue of Chatter box we asked for volunteers to join our Scrutiny Panel.

We had a good response and have now recruited more residents to the panel. The role of the panel is to carry out checks on the service standard, regarding condition of our properties when being offered for letting, and the standard of work carried out by our contractors.

This is what one resident member of the Scrutiny Panel said about it:

‘As a resident of Petersfield and a tenant of PHA, I am also pleased to be a member of the scrutiny panel. This gives me the opportunity to see first-hand the work that PHA undertakes to ensure that all their properties are in a suitable condition required before they are re let.

It also enables me to see the varied property types managed by PHA and is a good way of getting to know the local area better.

the scrutiny panel has a check list of requirements that must be meet PHA’s letting standards from simple updating of the property, including minor repairs, to major works like new bathrooms or kitchen’s. I feel that it is reassuring to know how much detail and care is taken to ensure that these standards are met.

I am pleased to say that every property I have seen that has needed any work has upon re inspection been done quickly and to a very good standard. After seeing various private rentals over the years I can honestly say that PHA takes pride in ensuring that its properties are in good condition and fit for letting.

Not only does this enable new tenants to move in quickly and smoothly with only the need to decorate to their personal tastes, but it should also give peace of mind that their homes are being well maintained and repaired safely and quickly’

Ms C Curnin

RESIDENT’S SCRUTINY PANEL

Launchof our new website!

Improving our services to you

.

IN S ECT W O R D S E A R C HM L C O B F M T I G R X K M A N L A

A C Q H N U E A U L U R E C N E A P

X L O L R R T B N E U T T Z T M R H

Z L F C M Y Y T O H A T N A E O V I

F O O I K D S T E M M O T H N D A D

Z E T I A R I A O R Z H W U N B P C

V E A L N U O R L O F V C Q A A F S

T I X B Q Z P A M I B L E N E U C G

O K P S H H A N C E S B Y R Y B O N

G O O V O T L S Q H T H O R A X C I

Z M A S E E B B E E T L E K Q B O W

A C I U Z C H A E Y Q N G O Q H O A

F S A F G U B Y J A E Q Z I F T N Y

C a l l i n g a l l k i d s...Enjoy our insect word search

y o u rA d d r e s s

y o u rn a m e

ABDOMENAPHIDBUG

COCKROACHLADYBUG

MOSQUITOTHORAX

ANTBEE

BUTTERFLYCOCOON

LARVAMOTHWINGS

ANTENNAEBEETLE

CHRYSALISFLY

METAMORPHOSISTERMITE

For your chance to win a prize send your completed puzzle to Sarah Clawson at:

Petersfield Housing Association32 Lavant Street, Petersfield,

Hampshire GU32 3EF

Closing date for entries isFriday 8th August 2014.

C O M P E T IT IO N T IM E !

Can you find the range of words related to the creepy crawly world of insects?Try your hardest to see how many of the words you can find.

‘RETRO’ ROCK BUNSTaken from a Good Housekeeping Recipe Book first published in 1952, hence all the ingredients are listed in the old imperial measurements

Ingredients:12 oz flour

A pinch of Salt3 level teaspoons of Baking Powder

6 oz butter6 oz sugar

3 oz currents11/2 oz mixed peel

1/2 teaspoon mixed spice1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 eggMilk to mix

Method:Turn oven on to 200˚ electric or Gas mark 8

Enjoy!

1. Sieve flour, salt and baking powder.2. Rub in the butter and add the sugar, currants and chopped peel.

3. Add the mixed spice and nutmeg (I always use a whole one and grate).4. Add the egg and mix with milk to give a stiff dough.

5. Put out 12 – 16 rocky heaps on a greased tin.6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

.

32 Lavant Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3EF

t. 01730 263 589e. [email protected]

www.petersfieldhsg.co.uk

Contact us

chatter box - pha homes...out payday loans which have extortionate interest rates. up to 42% of...

Documents