December 2024 Tenant Newsletter

Customers are at the heart of what we do.

Read on for updates from across our services, changes we're making to make things easier, and more.

Housing services transition to South Tyneside Council

On 1 November 2024, South Tyneside Homes became South Tyneside Council Housing Services following the significant support through a ballot of all Council tenants and leaseholders to return Council housing services back to direct delivery by the Council.

The bringing of services together will focus on delivering excellent services for tenants whilst working within the new consumer standards, as set out by government.

We will continue to work with our tenants to respond to their comments and feedback to ensure your voice is being heard. 

As a tenant, the way you pay rent and all other systems has remained the same, the change comes as the staff supporting you will now work directly for the Council.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Christmas and New Year closures

Everyone at South Tyneside Council Housing Services would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year. 

Over the Christmas period, we will close at 12.30pm on 24 December 2024. This is the last day for customers to return keys.

We will continue to provide emergency and urgent repairs services and homelessness can still be reported. Housing Services will reopen as normal on 2 January 2025.

A 24-hour emergency service will operate during this time on 0300 123 6633. For further information contact us.

As we wrap up this year for the festive season, please remember to not open your doors to strangers without asking to see identification. We will always inform you ahead of time about any planned works or repairs.

You may see some mixed branding due to the transfer, so before you let anyone in your home please ask to see their ID badge. If you have any concerns, please call the South Tyneside Council Housing Services team on 0300 123 6633.

Please stay safe and we wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Support for residents

Welcoming Places are free public places where residents can go to get warm, save money on their heating costs, avoid social isolation, and receive support and advice.

For details please visit: Welcoming Places in South Tyneside

The Department for Education has provided grant funding to all local authorities in England, to co-ordinate free holiday provision for children and young people entitled to benefit-related free school meals.

Find out more: Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)

Tenant Annual Report

The Tenants' Annual Report 2024 has been written by tenants from across South Tyneside and represents the work carried out between April 2023 and March 2024.

Read the Tenants' Annual Report 2024.

 

Keep your rent account up to date and out of arrears this festive season

We know there can be a lot of pressure to spend money on presents and entertaining over the festive period. We want to make sure you enjoy Christmas without having money worries.

Remember to pay your rent first, to keep your account up to date and out of rent arrears this Christmas and New Year.

If you are already in rent arrears, do not put your tenancy at risk by missing rent payments over the festive period. You are expected to make payments during non-collection weeks.

If you are worried about paying your rent or other essential bills, please contact us on 0300 123 6633 to speak to your Housing Officer.

We have support options available to help with your financial situation if you experience financial difficulties.

If you would like up to date information about your rent balance, please log in to or register for MyHome. Alternatively you can call us on 0300 123 6633.

For all the ways you can pay your rent, see how to pay your rent.

Responsive repairs

Following feedback from our customers, we are changing our messaging provider for responsive repairs.

You wanted more information within the messages we send.

Feedback was that the previous messages only provided a job number, and that information about the trade attending would be beneficial.

Following the switch to our new provider, you will receive the following messages for each job you report to us:

  • Confirmation message to confirm the appointment we have agreed.
  • Reminder messages, we know how busy you are, our reminder messages are to remind you of your upcoming appointment.
  • Enroute messages, to tell you when we are on our way to your home, so you can make sure you are prepared and any pets safely secured.

The new suite of messages will include the following information:

  • Job reference number
  • Detail of the trade attending, e.g. plumber, joiner, plasterer, etc
  • Appointment detail e.g. morning, afternoon, all-day or school-run
  • Details of how to cancel or reschedule your appointment

Damp and mould

It's that time of year where damp and mould can cause real problems within your home. 

Rising damp will be present all year round but is more noticeable in winter. If left untreated it may cause wall plaster to crumble and paper to lift in the affected area.

If you are experiencing issues from damp and mould, please report a repair.

Christmas and New Year bin collection dates 2024

The Christmas and New Year bin collection dates have been announced and normal collections will resume from Tuesday 7th January.

View the bin collection dates. Simply add your postcode and find your address.

The Recycling Village is open every day (except Christmas Day). Please remember to book your slot before arrival.

Fairy light safety tip

Christmas is a special time for celebration and it should not end in tragedy because of the extra hazards that are present at this time of year.

  • If bulbs blow, replace them
  • Don't leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep
  • Don't let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, such as paper
  • Don't overload sockets
  • Ensure that fairy lights are bought from reputable sellers

For further Christmas fire safety tips, please visit UK Fire Service Resources: Christmas safety.

Boiler service

To maintain safety and prevent breakdown, please ensure you boiler is serviced annually.

Call South Tyneside Council Housing Services to book your boiler service on 0300 123 6633.

For further information, see gas servicing.