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Latest News
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Community Chest helps local Scout and Guide group - 15/05/2012
The Gedling Homes Community Chest has opened again to help the First Gedling Scout Group install some gates at the front of their Scout and Guide hut. The gates will make the area a safe and secure environment for the children to play outside, and keep their outdoor play equipment safe from theft and vandalism. In total over 100 children from all over Gedling, Carlton and Mapperley use the facility each week with ages ranging from 5 – 20 years.
Local councillors also helped to fund the scheme presenting their cheque to the group on the same evening.
A GREAT big thanks to Gedling Homes for topping up the funds for this initiative which now has enough money to proceed.
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Gedling Homes recognised for tackling ASB - 15/05/2012
Gedling Homes’ Tenancy Services team received some GREAT news this week when they were informed that they had passed Housemark’s ASB Accreditation further to their recent assessment.
The assessment identified many areas of good practice and partnership working.
Jacquie Beacroft, Head of Neighbourhoods said “We are delighted with this result and we hope that this provides assurances to tenants and partners that we are working hard to tackle Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) throughout Gedling”.
Mark Vasey, Tenancy Services Manager also commented “I would like to thank our colleagues at New Charter who supported us during this process. Their insight and observations proved very helpful to us in working towards this award".
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Gedling Homes win Collaborative Working award - 15/05/2012
Gedling Homes won the Collaborative Working award and received Highly Commended for Corporate Responsibility at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) awards.
They were also shortlisted in 4 categories:
* Committed to Corporate Responsibility with FHM
* Committed to Innovation with Bullock Construction
* Committed to Collaborative Working with Morrison for Responsive Repairs
* Committed to the Environment with the Arches Project for furniture recycling
This was a great reward and recognition for all the hard work of Gedling’s Repairs and Investment Teams and our partners, who have delivered outstanding results in the three years since transfer. Well done and thanks to all.
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Gedling Highly Commended at regional TPAS awards - 15/05/2012
Gedling Homes received Highly Commended for ‘Excellence in Annual Reports’ at the TPAS Central Region awards.
The report is process driven and delivered by tenants for tenants, supported by the Tenant Involvement Team. The tenants were so proud, it was great for them to get this recognition.
Gedling has also been recognised in good practice recently in the TPAS Tenant Involvement accreditation for our work on Local Offers.
Well done and thanks to the Tenant Involvement Team. This is well deserved recognition for the great strides we have made in our first 3 years.
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TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TENANTS - 15/05/2012
Gedling Homes is committed to putting out tenants at the centre of its business and decision making process. Each year we provide an annual programme of FREE training opportunities designed to provide you with the skills required to help us improve the services we deliver to you, and to help you improve your communities.
Please follow this link to see what training is on offer and to complete our Tenant Training needs Survey.
Don’t miss this GREAT opportunity to gain some new skills.
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Councils introduce “Tell Us Once”. - 14/05/2012
If you are report a birth or death to Notts County Council or Nottingham City Council then they will now make sure that all other organisations that need to know are notified. This new scheme is called “Tell Us Once” and full details can be found by following this link.
http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/thecouncil/contact/tellusonce/
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Wanted - Tenant Board Members - 03/05/2012
One of our four pledges at transfer was to give you, our tenants, a greater say in how your homes are owned and managed. Since transfer the tenants who have served on our Boards have helped to ensure Gedling Homes’ satisfaction ratings from tenants have soared to one of the best in England, repairs services speeded up and investment plans delivered on time.
Our annual election for Tenant Board Members will be taking place in July this year and we’re now seeking nominations from interested tenants.
We have one position up for election on the Board of Gedling Homes and as long as you aren’t prohibited from being a Company Director, have a clear rent account and are not/or have not been subject to any action as a result of a breach of your tenancy conditions then you’re able to apply.
Don’t worry if you have no experience as we offer a full programme of training and support to help you settle into the role. All we ask is that you have a commitment to support the values and principles of Gedling Homes.
We’ve provided some more information on the role and responsibilities of a Board Member along with some frequently asked questions to help you with your application.
If you’re interested in standing then please download and complete the:
1. application form,
2. declaration form; and
3. equality monitoring form.
Completed forms should then be returned to Lynn Clayton, Gedling Homes, Gedling House, Wood Lane, Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 4AD no later than Tuesday, 29th May 2012.
Alternatively you can contact Lynn on 0115 905 1515 for an application pack to be posted out to you.
Tenants who are eligible to stand will be asked to prepare a brief statement about themselves and why they’d like to be a Board Member, this will be sent to all tenants with their voting papers in July.
The tenant who receives the most votes will take up their position at the Annual General Meeting of the Company in September 2012 and will serve for 3 years.
Click here to view our Get On Board Poster
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Bedroom tax calculator - 27/04/2012
With effect from April 2013, Housing Benefit will be reduced if you have a spare bedroom in your home. You can see if you will be affected by clicking on this link.
Bedroom tax calculator
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Fast Track for Adaptations - 20/03/2012
As from the 1st April 2012 Gedling Homes are improving the way we deliver our Adaptations Service. Previously where a tenant required a minor adaptation, for example, a grab rail or key safe, they were required to obtain an Occupational Therapist referral prior to the work being undertaken. With effect from the 1st April 2012 tenants will simply need to ring our Repairs Hotline on 0300 0300 400 and arrangements will be made to install the aid within your home. A number of staff at Gedling Homes have received training to allow us to reduce the time taken to install minor adaptations within your home. Where a tenant requires a major adaptation such as a level access shower or a stair lift, they will need to call the Adult Social Care and Health Department on 08449 80 80 80 who will provide them with the support in obtaining an Occupational Referral to support your request. We are hopeful the fast track service will show a dramatic improvement in the service and throughout the year we will review customer feedback to see what effect the changes in the service have made.
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Game on to cut carbon footprint - 21/02/2012
Tenants at a Gedling sheltered scheme are becoming carbon savvy.
Residents at Ernehale Court in Arnold played an energy saving game which gives real tips on how residents can use less energy and save more mone. This showed that with a series of small steps, residents could save on average a total of £130 every year, as well as being greener.
FHM’s Resident Liaison Officers have also recently become Energy Saving Trust endorsed advisors and are bringing eco tips to lots of homes across the Gedling borough.
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Bin Raider educates Newstead youngsters on recycling - 21/02/2012
Hosted by Bin Raider, Gedling Homes Tenant Involvement team funded a high energy and entertaining show for children at Newstead School based on what we do with our rubbish.
The show introduced the children to the idea of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, delivering a strong message that lots of small steps can have a high impact on our climate change and challenged the children (and adults) to reflect on what they can do to make a difference.
The show was really well received with the children quickly picking up on the phrase used.
Reduce-Re-use-Recycle.
The show linked in with the national curriculum, and was such a success that two other schools have been asked if they would like the production bringing out to them.
We hope that by stimulating the children’s interest at a young age will encourage them to go on to become responsible members of the community when it comes to saving energy and re-cycling.
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Work experience at Gedling - 21/02/2012
Gedling Homes recently had two work experience students for a week from Gedling School.
Daniel worked with the Responsive Maintenance team job shadowing the Gedling Street Wardens and Property Maintenance Officers and Luke spent one day in each section of Gedling Homes, getting a flavour of what we do.
The week was organised in conjunction with all our partnering contractors (Morrison FS, FHM, Bullock and T and S), who also offered work experience placements.
The students all said how much they enjoyed the time with their hosts.
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Payments for your rent and charges can be made using our automated payment line - available 24 hours 7 days a week. - 22/12/2011
Payments for your rent and charges can be made using our automated payment line - available 24 hours 7 days a week.
(including over Christmas and New Year).
Please call 0161 331 2224.
You will need to have your 8 digit payment reference to hand to use this service.
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Fancy becoming a Tenant Inspector? - 29/11/2011
Why not join our team of Tenant Inspectors?
Gedling Homes Tenant Inspectors are involved with looking in depth at many of the services we provide. This can range from being out and about looking at the standard of our neighbourhoods to monitoring how we are carrying out the Local Offers.
We offer a range of training and support to enable our inspectors to work effectively and develop their skills.
The skills our inspectors gain can be used to help access employment and are beneficial in other areas. In the last year 20% of our Tenant Inspectors have gone on to find employment and one inspector has joined the Gedling Homes Board.
If you would like more information about our Tenant Inspector scheme then please contact a member of our Customer Experience Team on 0115 905 1515.
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Tenants tell us about their improvement works - 22/11/2011
Gedling Homes’ Investment Team held a Customer Experience Forum on the 4th October at Gedling House. Every tenant who had received works in this year’s improvement programme was invited to come along and give their views to the Investment Team to help improve future service.
The offer was taken up by approximately 20 tenants who came along and gave some brilliant feedback regarding service they had received from FHM, Bullock Construction and T&S Heating.
Jason Cannon, Head of Investments and Responsive Maintenance, said “another GREAT forum that will be used to improve service delivery for our customers”.
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New Colour scheme for Foxhill Court - 22/11/2011
The tenant panel at Foxhill Court sheltered scheme in Carlton all met recently with Rob Cawson and Michelle Swanson from Gedling Homes Investment Team and a representative from Johnson/Leyland to pick their new colour scheme for the communal lounge.
As part of the review of the Decorating Voucher scheme, Johnson/Leyland are supplying the materials for Foxhill Court free of charge for the makeover.
Tenants looked at the samples and colour choices over a cup of coffee and in a matter of minutes they had come up with a mutual decision of which paint colour and wallpaper they would like for their scheme.
The works will be completed in time for the festive season so all residents are overjoyed.
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Find us NOW on your digital TV, Mobile, Wii, Tablet PC or Smartphone - 18/10/2011
Want to be able to access New Charter services from the comfort of your home? Or maybe you want to see our available properties to rent, report a repair, find information about how to pay your rent, tell us about an Anti-Social Behaviour issue or find out what's going on in your local community?
Leaflet: Click here to read more.
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Residents urged to sign petition against benefit changes - 06/10/2011
Press Release
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Residents rate Gedling Homes top for satisfaction - 03/10/2011
Press Release
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Useful information for tenants and landlords - 13/09/2011
Housing news from the Department for Communities and Local Government
The Department of Communities and Local Government have published a number of fact sheets with useful Dos and Don’ts information for landlords and tenants. These can be viewed on their website as follows:
http://www.communities..uk/gov/newsstories/housing/1978638
You will also find other national housing news on this website.
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First External Consultation Events Get Positive Response - 06/09/2011
Bullock and Gedling Homes held their first of a number of external consultation event at Britannia Court in Netherfield and Carlton House in Carlton prior to starting the external works programme.
At both events there was a large turnout of tenants who were interested in what external works they were due to have on their homes and what impact the works would make in the surrounding communities.
The tenants were able to seek advice and look at 'before' and 'after' photographs of the works carried out on our pilot scheme at Walton Crescent and give their feedback on the level of works that are being carried out.
Alongside this the Community Wish scheme was introduced to tenants. This is a scheme that will support community activity within the borough during the life of the programme.
Another GREAT development in supporting the local community whilst improving our neighbourhoods.
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Improving our houses in Newstead - 06/09/2011
After a period of community consultation we are pleased to announce that Gedling Homes are to be involved in the improvement programme within Newstead Village. Gedling Homes has instructed our partnering contractor FHM to start the extensive refurbishment of 47 of our properties in the Newstead Village area.
Each property will benefit from approximately £15,000 of refurbishment works which will include dpc works, electrical rewires, kitchens and bathrooms replacement and full ground floor redecoration. We anticipate that each property will take up to 25 working days and will take place between September 2011 and February 2012. Alongside this a number of community initiatives will be developed that will support the sustainability of Newstead Village following completion of the improvement programme. This is another GREAT initiative in regenerating our communities.
If anyone requires any further information regarding the Newstead Village programme then contact Daniel Smith, Project Surveyor on 0115 905 1515.
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BEST RESULTS EVER for Tenant Satisfaction! - 06/09/2011
According to results just released from our annual tenant satisfaction survey, all three companies within the New Charter Housing Trust Group have achieved the BEST EVER rates of tenant satisfaction!
Following the revised HouseMark guidelines, this year‟s annual satisfaction survey of tenants has taken a new format, but with the same process used and our tenants giving their views on the same services.
All of the GREAT work we all do and the fantastic service we offer our customers, has resulted in our best satisfaction results yet, putting us right at the top of our game- amongst the highest ratings for social landlords across the country.
Last year, we saw overall satisfaction levels of 70% for Aksa Homes, 85% for Gedling Homes, and 89% for New Charter Homes. This year's outstanding overall satisfaction levels are:
Aksa Homes 91%
Gedling Homes 93%
New Charter Homes 94%
This means an average 11% increase across the Group, and the best results we have ever achieved!!
These results are just fantastic and we are really proud of this GREAT achievement.
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Eco Challenge at Arnold Hill - 05/09/2011
Gedling Homes along with its partner contractor FHM supported the recent Eco Challenge at Arnold Hill Technology College. The challenge involved pupils designing an eco village and presenting this to representatives from Gedling Homes and FHM in a Dragons Den style approach. The challenge allowed pupils to gain an understanding of eco options available in the construction industry and their task was to apply these initiatives to their design.
Both Gedling Homes and FHM sponsored the event by providing materials to build the eco village and vouchers for the winning designs.
This is another GREAT initiative involving working with local schools within the borough.
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COMMUNITY CHEST FUNDS FOR NETHERFIELD - 05/09/2011
Congratulations go to the St Georges Centre in Netherfield as one of our first applicants to apply for, and be awarded, Community Chest funding.
Tenant Mick Farrell applied for the funding to support the future and increased opening of the Loco Junior youth club in Netherfield. The club provides a whole range of activities in a safe environment for children aged 6 -13yrs.
Mike said "I am so pleased that we have received this funding because it will make a huge difference to lots of children who use the facility and who without it would probably be left to roam around on the streets‟.
This funding will enable the centre to operate much more effectively, by providing the work and support of two Play Workers for the club on a regular basis.
Both Mike and Emma, Centre Managers, would like to thank Gedling Homes for their support.
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Gedling Homes Strengthens Caretaker Services - 05/09/2011
Gedling Homes has recently recruited 2 new caretakers to develop the caretaking services. The Caretaking Team is led by Richard Brewer, with new recruits Ben McMahon and Daniel Anderson.
The service is currently being enhanced to cover all aspects of communal work in general needs accommodation. This will include communal cleaning, window cleaning and any communal repairs. Alongside this, the development of a new Handyperson Service will be launched in October 2011 – a Tradesperson will offer a low cost and safe service for residents, helping with minor jobs such as putting up shelves, building flat pack furniture and fitting of bathroom accessories.
.... another development on providing GREAT Neighbourhoods for our residents.
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Gedling Homes - External Improvement Programme Review - 05/09/2011
Bullock Construction has recently been awarded the Gedling Homes External Works Programme.
Following a stringent tender process, Bullock was eventually selected by the procurement panel (which included Gedling Homes staff, tenant and leaseholder representatives and a Gedling Homes Board Member) due to the strength of their tender submission. The contract signing took place at Gedling House on the 20th May 2011 with senior members of both Gedling Homes and Bullock present.
A pilot programme has recently been completed at Walton Crescent, Carlton, and this included works such as replacement fencing, replacement of defective hard standing, renewal of canopies and roof overhauls. The works were recently reviewed by a number of residents and overall, they were satisfied with the standard of work and agreed that the improvements to the properties have visually transformed the street. Similar works will be undertaken to properties within Netherfield and Carlton during 2011/12.
Alongside this, the main programme will include full refurbishment of the Cavendish Road Unity Bungalows, which will include the re-building of all external walls and the insulation of all our precast reinforced concrete (PRC) properties throughout the Borough, where necessary.
As part of the programme during 2011/12, residents will be contacted by Gedling Homes to update them on the work that will be undertaken to their homes.
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Supporting Community Initiatives - 05/09/2011
As part of Gedling’s continued commitment in supporting local initiatives, our partner, Bullock Construction have set up a scheme to bring added support to our communities. Throughout the delivery of the three-year External Works Programme, Bullock Construction have pledged to support various community projects within the Gedling Region.
To 'kick things off' to a winning start, Bullock and Gedling Homes have agreed to sponsor the Arnold Town Under 14‟s Football Team. This will include the sponsorship of the Team‟s away kit for the forthcoming season and both company names will be printed on the lads' shirts.
Following completion of work within a property, representatives from Bullock will be speaking to tenants to ask for any ideas they have for community initiatives which they feel would benefit from support. This can include supporting a local initiative or providing time to facilitate a local event.
Watch out in Latest News for more news of how Bullock and Gedling are supporting local community initiatives....
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Eid Mubarak! - 05/09/2011
'Eid Mubarak' to everyone who is celebrating Eid....
The first sighting of the new moon has been witnessed and Muslims are now celebrating the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting)and thanking Allah for the help and strength that he has given them throughout the previous month of fasting. Eid is also a time of forgiveness and making amends, where Muslims will spend quality time celebrating with their family and friends.
Eid is a very special time for Muslims- like Christmas is to Christians...so please wish all your friends and neighbours 'Eid Mubarak'!
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Gedling’s Graduation – celebrating tenants’ successes! - 05/09/2011
Gedling Homes’ tenants were celebrating their successes last week as Gedling Homes hosted its first Graduation Ceremony.
Donning their best frocks and suits, tenants who completed accredited college courses (sponsored by Gedling Homes), attended the graduation ceremony to receive their certificates from the Master of Ceremonies, Jason Cannon.
Last year, over 135 training courses were accessed by tenants throughout Gedling Homes. Many of these courses were delivered through a partnership with New College, Nottingham. The partnership was formed to provide education directly to local communities, in their communities. Since September 2010, courses ranging from Employability Skills and IT, to Watercolour painting have been delivered to Gedling Homes' tenants via this partnership.
The partnership between Gedling Homes and New College has been so successful that additional courses have been added to the programme from this September.
Sarah Harris from the Customer Experience team said: "The graduation ceremony was held to recognise the achievements of the many Gedling Homes' tenants who worked really hard to achieve their qualifications. Everyone had a GREAT evening".
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Community Involvement Day - 03/09/2011
Gedling Homes will be holding its second fantastic Community Involvement Day for our tenants and leaseholders in the grounds of our Head Office at Gedling House in Wood Lane, Gedling on Saturday September 3rd 2011, between 11.00am – 3.00pm.
This will be a GREAT day out and we are planning lots of activities for all the family to enjoy. There will also be a wide range of information stalls. This is a GREAT opportunity for tenants to meet Gedling Homes staff as well as having a fun day out.
There will be food and drink for everyone who comes and all visitors will be entered into a free prize draw to win over £250.00 worth of prizes. We can provide free transport to and from the event if required.
We hope you can join us for this special day and ask you to return your RSVP card which is in the Summer edition of News and Views. Alternatively you can speak to a member of the Tenant Involvement Team on 9051515, or e mail tenantinvolvement@gedlinghomes.co.uk
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WELFARE REFORMS - 05/07/2011
THE Welfare Reform Bill, currently going through Parliament, will see a Universal Credit made as a single welfare payment for working age households.
The intention is that this payment – which will include Housing Benefit – will be paid directly to tenants. Tenants would then have to manage their income and set up processes to pay their rent to Gedling Homes. This is a significant change to the current system in which many tenants choose to have their housing benefit paid directly to Gedling Homes. As a landlord, we are concerned that by making these changes the Government is overriding tenants' freedom of choice at how they manage their money and that it will lead to increased debt and arrears.
The National Housing Federation is working with Department for Work and Pensions officials to help design a workable payment system and to call for legislation to include the right for tenants to choose direct payment. Gedling Homes aim to help these organisations lobby for the right for tenants to have their benefits paid directly to their landlord.
Tenant support with this campaign is vital. Please follow this link to the National Housing Federation website where you can register your support through your local MP.
http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=115&ea.campaign.id=10888
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Give Us Your Views - 01/04/2011
As part of Gedling Homes commitment to improve our repairs service, our repairs contractor Morrison will be undertaking telephone surveys of residents who have had a repair carried out in their home in the previous month. These calls will be made during the evening and should only take about 5 minutes. Your views will help us improve service delivery to residents, so we hope you can spare some time to tell us about the service you received.
Everyone who provides feedback will be entered into a free prize draw where, 4 times a year, we award gift vouchers to the value of £50 to one lucky resident.
If you have already completed a customer satisfaction questionnaire following a recent repair we will not contact you again, but you will still be entered in the draw.
Should you have any questions regarding this initiative please speak to a member of our Repairs Team on 033 0300 400 or Kelly Welch, Resident Liaison Officer for Morrison on 07748 117351
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Gedling Homes ready for the Digital TV Switchover - 02/03/2011
Gedling Homes is now ready for the Digital Switchover for all their properties that have communal television aerials.
The Government is in the process of switching off the existing analogue TV signal and replacing it with a new, stronger digital TV signal. This means that almost everyone will be able to receive digital TV through an aerial (Freeview).
Digital TV also uses less broadcast space which means that after switchover, there will be more room for new services such as wireless broadband, local TV and High Definition Television (HDTV).
Gedling Homes has carried out checks on all their communal aerials and upgraded those which were still analogue, ready for the East Midlands Switchover between the end of March and September 2011.
This is another GREAT achievement in delivering our customers state of the art services.
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New Payment Line - 02/03/2011
Our tenants can now pay their rent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A new automated payment facility is now live for payments by debit or credit cards and you should simply ring 0161-331-2224 and follow the instructions. Make sure you have you 8-digit Payment Reference Number to hand (this can be found on your rent card).
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