Yourvoice

matters

December 2014

www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk Wolverhamptonleaseholders 01902 556789

Need help decorating? Fire Safety Ground Maintenance

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LEASEHOLDERNEWS

Message from LesleyLesley RobertsChief Executive ofWolverhampton Homes

Several leaseholders have told methat they struggle with repair billsand that value for money is top ofyour agenda.I’m delighted to announce that fromOctober 2014, we’ve reduced yourrepair bills by 15%! This reduction ispossible because we’ve been makingsure we get value for money for allthe work we do.We are already among the lowestannual charges for councilleaseholders across the countrywhich range on average from £50 to £1,700 per year. Your charges inWolverhampton are on averageabout £250 per year – which is great news.And we want to make sure that weremain among the best in leaseholdmanagement. That’s why we brought in one of the country’sleading experts to bring the Boardand senior managers up to date withthe law. They confirmed that we arefollowing best practise in all areasincluding repairs, management feesand how we consult you.We’ll be closed over Christmas soplease check our opening hours onpage 3 and don’t forget to let us haveyour email addresses so we can keepyou up to date regularly.Best wishes for Christmas and the New YearThank you.

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Message from MartinMartin Cartwright,Chairman, Leaseholders� Forum

It is rather disappointing to start byreporting several issues that have arisen,impacting Leaseholders:

• The Leasehold Forum discovered that there was a difference in the votes tenants and leaseholders received in the recent Wolverhampton Homes Board elections. While tenants received one vote for each person named on the tenancy agreement, leaseholders only had one vote per property. This was discussed at the Forum where a working group was set up to make recommendations to Wolverhampton Homes Board. The Board will discuss this in the near future and hopefully our recommendations will be endorsed. A full report will appear in the next Leaseholder News.

• Many leaseholders are dissatisfied with possible charges for major works and believe that it may the result of lack of care by our landlord. I will keep you up to date with these issues in future editions of Leaseholder News as this will impact us all.

• Charges have now been issued to leaseholders (other than those of us with Lease 1). It is important to check charges, making sure they relate to where you live. If you can’t consolidate the invoice against the quarterly statements you have received, then query the charges with the leasehold team. This is in your own interests. The leasehold team are only too happy to find out how the charge has been calculated and report back to you.

On a positive note, the Forum had a very motivatingpresentation from Juliette Logan and Alzie Logan who areboth members of the Review Panel. There is an articleabout the panel in this edition.

If you would like to become involved, please contactWolverhampton Homes as there are possibly up to twopositions available for leaseholders. It is important thatleaseholders are represented on the Review Panel.

My thanks go to Juliette and Alzie and WolverhamptonHomes officer Justin Scott for their time at the Forum.

On behalf of myself and Forum members, may I takethis opportunity to wish you all a peaceful Christmasand a much better 2015.

NEED HELP WITHYOUR DECORATING?

www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk homesales@wolverhamptonhomes.org.ukWolvesHomes

Homes Sales & Leases, Leasowes Drive, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, WV4 4PZ. Tel: 01902 556789

15% OFFfinal bill

LEASEHOLDERSREPAIR STATEMENT

Did you know that you can pay online @www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk

Dont forget that youcan report repairs online 24 hours a day,through our website @www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/lease-repairs

Think gas safety. You should get your gas appliances checked every year. We could help. Ask usfor a competitive quote.

Get involved - whydon’t you come to our next LeaseholderForum or follow us on Facebook.

leaseholder statement 18.7.14.qxp_Layout 1 01/09/2014 14:51 Page 1

LET US DO THE WORK.Wolverhampton Works can carry out painting and decorating jobs in your home for a competitive fee.For more information and a quote contact 01902 551981 or visit www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/decorating

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Date Phone Market Merry Heath

lines Street Hill Town

Wednesfield Low Bilston Hill

Tues 23rd Dec Open until Open until Closed Closed

4.30pm 4pm Open

Wed 24th Dec Closed Closed Closed Closed

Thur 25th Dec Closed Closed Closed Closed

Fri 26th Dec Closed Closed Closed Closed

Sat 27th Dec Closed Closed Closed Closed

Mon 29th Dec Open Open Closed Closed

Tues 30th Dec Open Open Closed Closed

Wed 31st Dec Open until Open until Closed Closed

4.30pm 4pm

Thur 1st Jan Closed Closed Closed Closed

Fri 2nd Jan Open Open Open Closed

Christmas is just around the corner so put these dates in your planner. Our Christmas opening

hours at our shops will be:

CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS

Discounted repair billsGreat news - you’re getting 15% offyour repair billsThis discount is coming to you because we’ve been making sure we get value for money in the work we do for you.

This reduction took effect from October 2014 and you’ll see it shown on January’s new and improved repairs statements. The statements are much easier to understand and will show your contribution.

Our phone lines in Homes Directwill be open on the same days butwill be taking calls until 4.30pm

on 23rd, 29th and 31st.While we’re away:

Report your repairs online: www.wolverhamptonhomes.

org.uk/lease-repairs

YOUR VOICEMATTERS

VACANCIESVOLUNTEER POST –LEASEHOLDER REVIEWPANEL MEMBERGot ideas on how our services can be improved?Why not join our Review Panel and give usyour thoughts and opinions? The panel meetevery month to help ensure that our servicesmeet all our customers’ needs.

More info: www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/vacanciesor phone Grant Sproston on 01902 556789.

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Leaseholders Harry Sandhu and Alysha Shah told us why they joined the Review Panel.

“Joining the review panel for me has given me a chance to have my say. Now when I have an idea I can put it forward, whereas before I would just criticise the way things are

being done.”

“I joined the Review Panel because I

wanted to have an input and influence the decisions that affect leaseholders. The Review Panel gives me a chance to stay in the loop and

keep up to date with what�s going on at Wolverhampton Homes.”

HARRY

ALYSHA

FIRESAFETY How can you make sureyou’re safe if there’s a fire?

Take these steps:• Get smoke alarms:• Test them every week • Clean them regularly• Don’t paint over them.• Know what to do if there

is a fire:• If you live in a high or low rise flat with communal doors: “Stay Safe, Stay Put”– your flat is designed

to resist fire and it’s safer to stay inside.• If you have your own entrance – plan your escape route with priority to kids and people with disabilities• Arrange a Home Fire Safety check by the Fire Service by phoning 0800 389 5525.

Find out more atwww.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/fire

ARE YOU PREPARED?

www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/fire

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IS YOUR GAS APPLIANCE SAFE?Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that:

• • You have a 1 in 1.18m chance of dying from carbon monoxide poisoning form a gas appliance.• You have a 1 in 11m chance of dying from an internal natural gas explosion.

This may sound like good odds, but if you haven’t had your gas appliance serviced you are more likely to be in danger.Our message is:

1. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm2. Make sure you have you gas appliances checked and serviced each year.

DID YOUKNOW?

PEACE OF MIND WITH OUR GAS PLAN:

• a range of annual servicing options from £88 + vat to £180 + vat

• a one-off gas safety inspection – check all your appliances for a one-off fee of £45 inc vat

Find out more at www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/gasor phone the leasehold management team on 01902 556789.

@ Help us help you!Help us save you money by telling us your email address.

We can send you this newsletter and other updates by email.

Just drop us your details to home.sales@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk and we’ll do the rest.

Over the last eight years we have been carrying outinternal works to tenants’ homes under the Government’sDecent Homes programme. The internal project is nowcoming to an end and our next priorities will be toconsider the condition of the external structure andcommunal areas of flatted estates across the city.

One of our first programmes of external works will be atMerridale Court, near Bantock Park. As this is the firstprogramme where we have a large proportion of leaseholders,we want to make sure the process is fair and consistent.

For this reason, as part of the consultation process forMerridale Court, Wolverhampton City Council have asked

an independent tribunal to look at the repair works we areproposing and the costs involved to decide whether they arefair and reasonable.

Once the tribunal has made its decision, we will use thatdecision to set up our processes and charging structures forall future works to your blocks.

We won’t start work at Merridale Court until the tribunal hasmade its decision and invoices will be sent out when thework has finished. When you get your bill please contactus – we may be able to set up a payment plan for you.

We’ll keep you all posted on the outcome of the tribunalhearing.

EXTERNAL REPAIRS ANDIMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR HOMES

WHAT SERVICE CAN YOU EXPECT?Your grounds maintenanceIf you live in a flat with a communal area aroundyour block, here’s what you can expect from ourgrounds maintenance team ‘Continental Landscapes’.

• We will cut the grass every 10 days from March to October.• We’ll collect litter each week• Shrub beds will be tidied up once a month• Hedges will be trimmed in June and October• Between November and February, we do extra “hard-pruning” and shaping of shrubs and other works that have been raised during the year. • Tree works are carried out on a five year cycle.

To find out when the team are in your area, visit:www.continental-landscapes.co.uk/websites/wolverhampton/grass-maintenance

LOOKING AFTER YOURNEIGHBOURHOODIf you live in a flat with communal areas, our estatecaretakers or concierge team are on hand to keepeverything tidy.

They will check communal areas in: • High rise (6 or more floors) communal areas every day • Medium and low rise communal areas quarterly

During these checks they will look for and deal with:• fly-tipping • rubbish removal • graffiti • repairs• lighting problems • door entry system issues• cleanliness of landings, stairwells and bin rooms• overgrown or unmaintained gardens

They will also:• monitor the communal area window cleaning• change time clocks for communal area lighting• check for anything that could affect fire safety and cause danger to you and your neighbours.

For low rise blocks, the amount you pay for this service wasagreed by the leaseholder forum in April 2011. The caretakersrecord their time and your service charge is based on the amount of time they spend in your block.This means that residents with a clean and tidy block, needless time and therefore pay lower caretaking service charges.The concierge service and related charge was agreed at eachestate consultation.

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LETTING OUT YOUR FLAT– let us do the workWe can let and manage your flat with:

• Guaranteed rental over the period of the lease• Full tenancy management and property management• Management fees starting from just £15 per week

Find out more at www.whomes.org.uk/city-homes or phone Andy Hughes on 01902 553253.

ARE YOU COVERED?It’s really important to take out your own insurance for your belongings and decorations in yourhome in case of theft, fire, vandalism, burst pipes and other household risks.

The good news is, we’ve made it easy for you to have peace of mind – at an affordable cost.

Our insurance will covered your furniture, TV, clothing, carpets, electrical items and general householdgoods in case of flood, fire or theft. You will also be covered for new external locks if your keys are stolenplus the contents of your freezer if the worst happens and it all defrosts.

Call free on 0800 408 0440 or visit: www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/home-insurance

New contractsFrom time to time we award new contracts for ongoing work in your blocks. Our latest new contracts have been chosen because they offer the best value for money and they are:

• Asbestos removal – Axiom Building Solutions Ltd• Asbestos Surveys – Riverside Environmental Services• Painting & Decorating – Tony Davies & Partner LLPIf you’d like more details on the reasons these contracts have been awarded just get in touch…Please remember all out contractors carry ID cards. Please ask to see them before letting them into your block and if you’re in any doubt contact us to check.

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Quiz TimeTry our Sudoku puzzle and you couldwin £20 in vouchers. Just send yourcompleted puzzle to the address below by 2nd January 2015.

The winner of our last puzzle was Judith Ward from Tettenhall.

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Contact uswww.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/leaseholderschristopher.churm@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uknicola.downing@wolverhamptonhomes.org.ukhome.sales@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk01902 55678901902 552999 for out of hours emergencies www.facebook.com/wolverhamptonleaseholders @wolveshomesWrite to:Leasehold Management Team,Wolverhampton Homes, Leasowes Drive, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton WV4 4PZ.

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Return to: Communications, Wolverhampton Homes, Chillington Fields Industrial Estate,Off Hickman Avenue, Wolverhampton, WV1 2BY

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