www.southwark.gov.uk/shnThe magazine for Southwark Council tenants and leaseholders

What happens to my recycling? p13A day in the life of Leathermarket JMB p2 Finding homes that suit you best p4

SouthwarkHousing News S

ep

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Oct

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2010

Inside this issue:

Haye’s homecoming p8

Providing value for money

With the council facing budget cuts from centralgovernment, our big challenge is to make the moneywe receive go further, to deliver the services tenants tellus matter to them. We’re working to make sure that allour contracts deliver value for money, and deliversavings for you.

Cutting repair completion times

When you report a repair, we will class it as anemergency, urgent or non urgent, depending on theseverity of the issue. We’ll make sure our contractorcomes out to any emergency repair within 24 hoursand urgent repairs within three working days. We’velistened to your feedback and cut the repair time forall non urgent repairs from 30 working days down to20 working days. This means that non urgent repairssuch as missing roof tiles, minor leaks or brokenwindows in communal areas can now be tackledmuch faster.

Reporting repairs just got easier

We’re sending all tenants a repairs finder bookletthis autumn, with pictures of common repairs tomake identifying and reporting repairs a lot easier.It also features a timescale so you can see exactlyhow quickly we aim to complete your repair. Hints on how to look after your home can befound on the council website, whereyou can also report your repaironline. Just click on the repairsfinder tool to send a messageto the council and you canreport your repair.

2

Here to heMy name is Andy Batesand I’m the manager ofLeathermarket JointManagement Board (JMB),which manages 1,500homes for SouthwarkCouncil. Residents havethe right to take over therunning of their estate, ifthis is what the majoritywants and after the appropriate training. Thismeans that our board of directors are electedby residents and paid staff providing serviceson a day to day basis.

The advantage of tenant management is that it islocal and personal. People, tenant representativesand staff know that they can make a difference.Staff and residents know each other, nobody is justa name on a computer screen.

We employ our own repairs staff, cleaners andgardeners, as we believe that someone who is paida living wage will do their job better than someonewith no job security on a minimum wage. Ourbelief has turned out to be right: the JMB has hadtwo continuation ballots in 2001 and 2006, inwhich residents were asked whether they wantedto continue to be tenant managed and on bothoccasions at least 90% of residents that votedwanted the JMB to carry on. The general feedbackwas that the estate looks better and residents werereporting fewer problems on the doorstep.

Managing social housing in Southwark is difficultand tenant management is not a magic wand. Wehave faced our challenges, and will face morechallenges in the future as money gets tighter.Tenant management can only work withcommitted and persistent resident representativesand staff, which is fortunately what we have got.

For further information visitwww.leathermarketjmb.org.uk, emailenquiries@leathermarketjmb.org.ukor call 020 7525 1600.

Behind the scenes atLeathermarket JointManagement Board

Lift services

Tenants and leaseholders tell us that lifts breaking down is one of their biggest concerns, so we’velaunched a challenging liftimprovement programme.Reliability has improved in the lastyear, but we can’t be complacentand our engineering team makessure contractors are delivering agood service, and can step inquickly if service levels slip.

Your safety is our priority

As a landlord we have a legalresponsibility to ensure all ourproperties have a yearly gas safetycheck and we always make sure this happens. However, in around200 properties tenants are not giving us access.

If you are a Southwark Counciltenant you must let us into yourhome to carry out a gas safety check.If you don’t, you are putting yourself,your household and neighbours indanger, and if necessary we will go tocourt to get a warrant to force entry toyour home and you will be responsiblefor the cost of going to court, theforced entry and any new locks or keyswe have to fit as a result.

We want your feedback

Each month we call over 1,000 residentsafter their repair has been completed toask their opinion on the service theyreceived and the quality of the repair.Your feedback helps us see where we are doing well and where we need to improve. If you’d like to feed back on the services you’ve received, you can do this online atwww.southwark.gov.uk/feedback

3Repairs

lp you

We’ll make sure our contractor

comes out to any emergency repair

within 24 hours, urgent repairs

within three working days.

Make the smart moveSmart Move helps tenants move from a largerhome that no longer meets their needs to asmaller, more suitable home. It could be that yourchildren have grown up and moved away, leavingyou with empty rooms and a house that costs a lotto heat. Or perhaps you find that the stairs aregetting difficult, and you’d like a house that’seasier to manage. Whatever the reason, SmartMove gives tenants a dedicated officer to helpthem at every step of the way. You’ll also get agrant to help with the cost of moving anddecorating your new home, and an incentivepayment for each room you give up and anyadditional expenses. You’ll also be giving localfamilies a chance to move from over crowdedhomes to a family-sized home with room to grow.

We know that the thought of moving home can be worrying, especially if you have lived in yourhome for a long time. If you want to talk itthrough, the housing options service can give you advice and support on 020 7525 4194, or email hsg.has@southwark.gov.uk

4Focus on...

When it comes to your home, there’s no suchthing as one size fits all. We’re here to supporttenants to find homes that suit them better.Whether it’s adaptations to make life easierfor tenants with disabilities, or helping youdownsize after the kids have flown the nest,we have solutions to suit you.

5Homes to suit you better

Small change, big difference

Robert had been living in a councilmaisonette in Peckham, but when he lefthospital last year, it quickly became obviousthat his old home didn’t meet his currentneeds. “My home was on the fourth floor,which meant if the lift was being repaired Iwasn’t able to go out as I couldn’t use thestairs with my wheelchair. I couldn’t managethe stairs inside my flat either, so I spentmost of my time in the living room, eventhough the kitchen and bathroom were on adifferent level.”

Robert registered to be rehoused to a more suitable home, and said that he wouldlike to stay in Peckham, so he could be nearhis friends and family.

With adapted properties in high demand, ittook around a year for a suitable flat tobecome available. “I was offered a two bedground floor flat in Peckham which hadbeen built by Hexagon housing associationto be suitable for wheelchair users. It’s thelittle things that make a difference, like thecorridors and doors being wide enough toallow me to move around easily, the kitchencounters and appliances are within reach,and the bathroom has been designed withmy needs in mind. I’ve even got a patio andan additional bedroom for my live in carer.My occupational therapist, Jon Cowderoy,has also given me plenty of support andadvice, which has been a big help.”

Now settled in his new home, Robert’smessage to tenants facing similar problemsis to keep calm and be in control. If youwould like to find out if you are eligible forsupport at home, please speak to yourhousing officer.

Sheltered housing services have changed a lotin recent years, and we aim to support tenantsto live independently, and offer support andhelp to when you need it. Read on to find outmore about some of the different ways we canhelp tenants enjoy their homes.

6 Feature

Living in sheltered housingdoesn’t have to mean livinga less active life.

For Mr and Mrs Knell, who live inRotherhithe, it’s an opportunity toplay an active role in theircommunity. The couple, who are in

their eighties, have been living insheltered housing for the last fouryears, were voted chair and secretary

of the social club shortly aftermoving in. With regular bingogames, coach trips and exerciseclasses, and helping otherresidents with day to dayactivities there’s alwayssomething going on. By helping to organise and run activities around the scheme,they’re able to enjoy spendingtime with their friends andneighbours, and there’s a realsense of community throughoutthe scheme.

Mr and Mrs Knell recentlycelebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and were surprised to receive acongratulations card from theQueen, which Mrs Knelldescribed as “wonderful”.

Supporting communities

Often people are at risk of evictionbecause they have rent arrears,have broken their tenancyagreement, or have complexneeds. The sustain team look atthe bigger picture to help themmanage their tenancy better andkeep their home. That can meanmaking sure they’re getting allthe benefits they’re eligible for sothat they don’t get behind ontheir rent, helping them withhealth or disability issues, andputting them in touch withsupport services.

One client, Michael*, had beenliving on his own after the death ofa family member. He had healthproblems and a mild learningdisability, which meant he became vulnerable to a group ofyounger people who befriendedhim in order to exploit him. Theystarted using his flat as a base fordrug dealing and antisocialbehaviour, and stole his money and benefit books.

By the time Michael had beenreferred to sustain, he was at risk of being evicted, and hisneighbours had had enough of theantisocial behaviour caused by thegroup of people living in his flat.Sustain helped him by setting updirect payments for his rent, andgiving him more control over his own money. More importantly, they supported him to move to a different part of Southwark, away

from the people who wereexploiting him, so he could make a fresh start.

His neighbours no longer have toput up with antisocial behaviour.The council has been saved thecosts and difficulty of evicting atenant and now he is no longer atrisk of eviction or homelessness.Michael is happier, independentand in control.

Sustain is designed tosupport the mostvulnerable tenants, by helping them withthings that many of ustake for granted.

7Supporting our tenants

A little extra help

*Names have been changed to protect identities

Haye’s homecoming Heavyweight champion of the world David Haye,returned to open a play area on the Kipling estate,where he grew up, which had been designed bystudents from the London College of Communication.Three students, Diego Ulrich, May Safwat and RickyKnowles came up with a great design, and thestudents and estate staff generously donated theirtime to decorate the playground. The JMB wereastounded and delighted when David Haye agreed to

open the area, andmeet with localresidents forsignatures andphotographs. Heeven posted a lovelymessage on Twitter,saying how pleasedhe was to return to his old homeground and renewacquaintance withold friends. What a knockout!

Alfresco education Children in Camberwell are looking forward toalfresco lessons as the former Cobourg Road naturearea has been brought back to life as an outdoorclassroom. Once the site of houses bombed outduring the war, the nature area had becomeneglected over recent years, and attracted vandalismand fly tipping. Local residents Malini Mehra and NickMabey applied to the council for a Cleaner, Greener,

Safer grant and won £25,000 to bring it backinto community use. Malini and Nick said:

“This patch of land has gone from a fly-tipping site toan oasis of calm for the community and wildlife alike.It shows just how much can be accomplished byresidents and the council working in partnership.”

Get fit for free inBermondsey Are you looking for a fun, free way toget fit and meet new people?Whether you’re an experiencedrunner, or a recent convert, CityRunners club is open to everyone.Founder Tim Navin-Jones explains “Many running clubs are based in the city, and Iwanted to start a club that wasconvenient for people who live inSouthwark. It’s a relaxed andfriendly group, and our memberscan also get great discounts onrunning gear.” If you’d like to find out more, visitwww.cityrunnersclub.co.uk

CamberwellBermondsey

Dulwich

8

Lordship Lane isbloominglovely The Lordship Lane tenantsand residents’ associationhave been working hard tomake their estate a great placeto live, and their efforts are bearingfruit. Having applied for funding to plant rose bedsand create a vegetable garden in the estate’s greenspace, they recently won silver at this year’sSouthwark in Bloom awards. The communalvegetable garden is a great success, with peoplegrowing their own vegetables, including courgettes,cabbages and lettuces, and residents are thrilled thatit’s a place where people living on the estate canrelax, enjoy themselves, and make their local area anicer place to be.

Borough and Bankside

Burgess Park Burgess Park is being improved over the next 18months thanks to funding from the Mayor of Londonand the Aylesbury NDC - the first significant investmentfor 50 years. The detailed designs are being producedat the moment and work will start on site in the spring.This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to release the fullpotential of Burgess Park and make our biggest greenspace look fantastic. Find out more about theimprovements at www.facebook.com/burgessparkor www.southwark.gov.uk/burgesspark

Dig for victory on the Pelican EstateThe Pelican Estate tenants and residents’ associationhas successfully applied for Cleaner, Greener, Saferfunding to create an allotment for the toddlers’

playgroup. Theallotment was openedwith a fun day, whereresidents could see theblacksmiths create afence adorned withvegetables and birds.The allotment looksgreat, and thanks toour green fingeredtoddlers thevegetables are doingvery well. BernieSaunders, chair of theTRA said "I am verypleased that thechildren are taking an interest in growingvegetables.”

Estate blitz inGloucesterGrove Housing officers inPeckham joined forceswith SASBU, communitywardens and theMetropolitan Police Servicefor an estate blitz on theGloucester Grove estate.The purpose of the daywas to tackle issues like cleaning, repairs andantisocial behaviour, and offer a wide range ofservices to residents including free dog microchipping and installing smoke alarms. It was a verysuccessful day, with the street based team visiting tomeet young people on the estate, CommunityPayback clearing gardens and rubbish from theestate, and tenancy checks undertaken.

Gardenmakeoverat GeorgeWalterCourt The garden at GeorgeWalter had seen betterdays. The furniture was old,the fountain didn’t work andthe garden felt dated. Afterspeaking to residents, housing officer Kate Emmanuelcontacted Volunteer Centre Southwark, who put her intouch with the Active Citizens Hub – a group of peoplefrom all walks of life who donate their time to help thecommunity. A group of 27 volunteers quickly startedwork on improving the garden, and the results wereamazing. The garden was cleaned, raised beds werebuilt, new benches were installed and the old oneswere given a facelift. Residents are thrilled by their newlook garden, and very grateful to everyone whodonated their time, labour and materials to the project.

Nunhead and Peckham Rye

Walworth

9

Peckham

Rotherhithe

For radiator panels call Mears on 020 8293 6150 and quote SHNOCT2010.

For draught proofing call Kershaws on 01954 250 155 and quote ref SHNOCT2010.

The nights are drawing in, and many people areconcerned about the rising cost of electricity bills.That’s why we are offering tenants and leaseholders acompletely free draught proofing service, which couldsave around £30 per year on your bills.

You can also get reflective radiator panels, which arean easy way to save up to 10% off your energy bills,and we are installing cavity wall insulation in 5000tenants and leaseholders’ homes.

To find out more about the projects and our topenergy efficiency tips, visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/thebigswitchoff

The council has a responsibility to keep tenants and residentssafe, and part of this is making sure that gas appliances andheating are regularly checked to make sure it is safe. Allhomeowners are responsible for having their boiler checkedannually by a registered Gas Safe engineer, to make sure thatthey and their neighbours are not at risk of carbon monoxideleaks. This is why we have recently contacted a random sampleof 100 leaseholders to request a copy of their gas safetycertificate, and we will take further action against leaseholderswho do not provide the information requested.

If you would like more advice or information about the council’s gas servicing scheme forleaseholders, please call us on 020 7525 7660.

The Citizens Advice Bureau have been providingindependent, life changing advice and support for over70 years, and can help people from all walks of life withqueries ranging from money to housing andemployment advice. If you’re a council leaseholder, youcan now get specialist help and information from theBermondsey branch. It doesn’t matter whether youbought your property directly from the council or from aprevious owner, they can offer free, confidential and

impartial advice. If you’re having trouble budgeting forservice charges, want to know more about your rightsand responsibilities as a leaseholder, or need advice on awide range of issues, the CAB are here to help. To find out more, visit www.southwarkadvice.org.uk, call 020 7237 9532, or visit them at 8 Market Place,Southwark Park Road, SE16 3UQ.

10 Leaseholder news

A helping handfor leaseholders

Keeping you safe

Your housing officer will be calling on you to check we knowabout issues that can help us help you. For example if youare hard of hearing we will instruct our repairs staff to knocklouder and wait longer for you to answer the door. Theinformation that you provide will also help us plan servicesfor the future. Please help your housing officer complete theinformation form when you see them.

Get readyfor theswitch!TV is going digital, meaning better picture quality and morechoice. From September,we'll be upgradingcommunal aerials, satellitedishes and cabling incouncil properties. To findout more, speak to yourhousing officer, visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/digitalor call 0800 952 4444.

How arewe doing?

Safety update on asbestos in buildings

11

If you want to know how weperformed as a landlord lastyear and our plans are for thecoming year,you will beable to take a look at ourannual report.We havealready askedresidentsgroups whatthey want tosee in thereport, so we hope that youfind it useful. You will be ableto download it fromwww.southwark.gov.ukfrom 1 October, and we’ll betelling you more about it infuture editions of SouthwarkHousing News. You can alsorequest a copy by writing to:

Annual report requestCorporate strategyPO Box 64529London SE1P 5LX

Many people have worries about

asbestos, but left undisturbed,

it usually does not pose a health

risk. However, care should be

taken to prevent the release of

fibres as they can cause serious

damage to your health. We

have recently conducted a

survey of our properties to build

up a more accurate picture of

buildings that may contain

asbestos. We have also produced

a fact sheet for residents,

describing what asbestos is,

why it was used, where it is

most likely to be found in

the home, and the facts on

asbestos and health.

It is available at housing offices,

one stop shops and online at

www.southwark.gov.uk.

Some buildings in Southwark

were built using asbestos, but

the majority are in good

condition and do not pose a

health risk. There is a potential

but small risk if it is damaged,

but you can minimise the risk by

keeping an eye on the condition

of anything you think may

contain asbestos to make sure

it does not become damaged.

If you have any concerns please

speak to your housing officer.

News

Help us help you

St. Georges Road

The 15 two bedroom homes aredesigned by Sarah WigglesworthArchitects, with a stylish timber andglazed brick

front, a new internal garden and aplayground for residents andtenants of the nearby GaywoodEstate. The homes are all be forsocial rented tenants, and will beoffered to tenants who have beenliving on the Heygate estate in thefirst instance.

New Kent Road

This development, designed byS333 architects, will offer 52 homes,including ten three bed familyhomes, built around a privatecourtyard. The ground floor faceson to New Kent Road there will bethree new commercial units createdas well. This development is due forcompletion December 2010.

Kenyon House gets a fresh lookResidents of Kenyon House inCamberwell have recentlybenefited from improvementworks to their building. Windowswere replaced with double glazedUPVC, brickwork, concrete androofing has been renewed, andthe communal areas have had alick of paint. Internal decenthomes work meant kitchens and boilers were replaced andwiring and central heatingupgraded. Look out for furtherupdates on improvement worksin future issues.

Investment updateWork is nearly complete on two of the Elephant andCastle affordable housing schemes, which are part ofthe council’s regeneration strategy, in partnership withLondon and Quadrant Housing Association.

12 Housing

St. Georges Road

Do you think it’s good, bad, or a bit ofboth? Would you like to help makeservices better? The performance reviewgroup works with residents to look athousing services, and plan ways toimprove the services we provide. We’dlike to hear from residents in any part ofthe borough, but we particularly wantto hear from residents who live inBorough and Bankside, Nunhead andPeckham Rye, Rotherhithe, and Peckham.

You don’t need any previous experience,as training is provided. The group meetsfour times a year, and meetings are heldoutside of office hours. The groupreview the council’s performance andtheir feedback helps us develop ourservices and plan improvements, andmakes sure we’re meeting our targets. If you’d like to find out more or join the group, please call Sinead Dunphy on 020 7525 0718.

What do you think of ourhousing service?

Recycling 13

The two recycling schemes in Southwark are mixed recycling, where everything is collected together,using clear bags or communal recycling bins, and separated recycling where residents sort theirrecycling into blue boxes and bags. Separated recycling is sorted when it’s collected and taken straightto the reprocessors to be made into something new, but mixed recycling is taken to a materialsrecovery facility (MRF) to be separated, and that’s where it gets interesting.

We’re all trying to do our bit to be greener, and recycling our rubbish ratherthan adding to landfill. But where does your recycling go?

1First a vibratingmachine separatesout the paper andcard, which will beturned into pulpbefore beingprocessed into newreams of paperready to be soldand reused.

2Then materialspass under hugemagnets whichseparate out thesteel cans and tins.They’ll be melteddown beforebecoming anythingfrom engine partsto an aeroplane.

3 Plastic bottles, traysand tubs are detectedusing high-techscanners which pluckout plastic items.Plastic is shreddedand used to makenew items such asfleeces, DVD casesand garden furniture.

4 Aluminium cansare separated usingan eddy currentseparator. Aluminiumis melted down tobecome a number of things such asenergy efficientengine componentsor more cans.

5 Finally, it’s justthe glass jars andbottles left. Theyare melted downand turned intonew bottles andjars or sandwhich can beused on roadsurfaces.

We then send the materials to reprocessingfacilities, the majority of which are in the UK.Wherever possible we send materials for recyclingin London, which helps minimise carbon emissions.

This means valuable resources are reused,helping us to save both raw materials and the environment.

Working in partnership with our waste andrecycling contractors, Veolia environmental

services, we are building a new integrated wastemanagement facility for Southwark on the formergasworks site at Old Kent Road, where we’ll beable to separate all Southwark’s recycling locallyfor the first time. The facility is expected to open in early 2012 and residents will be able to tour thesite and see recycling in action for themselves.

For further information seewww.southwark.gov.uk/recycling

Your services, your choice

14

My suggestion for the best way to consult tenants and residents on local offers is:

My suggestions on what the local offer/s should be are:

Name: Address:

Telephone number:

We want to hear your views on three areas, so here are some questions to get you thinking:

1. Tenant involvement and empowerment

• How should we involve you in our services?• How should we respond when you make

a complaint?• How do you want us to respond when you

contact us?

An example could be increasing the number ofresidents involved in improving services.

2. Your home

• How would you like us to respond when you report a repair?

• What should be the standards of your home?

An example could be the speed of response in carrying out repairs.

3. Neighbourhood and community

For instance, the satisfaction with action taken againstthose causing antisocial behaviour. • How do you want us to manage your community?• How do you want us to deal with your reports of

antisocial behaviour?

An example could be the satisfaction with how wetackle antisocial behaviour.

These are just our suggestions - it is up to you to tell uswhat you want, within what is affordable. We will alsobe consulting on local offers with tenants and residentsassociations, area housing forums, tenant council andhome owner council.

Together, we will also decide how we set local offers –this could be by estate, community council area, servicearea, type of housing, or particular communities withinour housing such as young people. We’d love to hearwhat your views are.

Prize draw

We know that sometimes it’s difficult to find the time toget involved, but it’s your service and we would like youto tell us what’s most important to you. Tell us how weshould consult with you on local offers. Would textingbe the best way, or open days on estates? Vouchers of£30, £20 and £10 will go to the three best suggestions.

To enter please cut out the section below and return itto: the resident involvement team, environment andhousing department, Southwark Council, PO Box64529, London SE1P 5LX, telephone 020 7525 3326or email resident.involvement@southwark.gov.uk.If you want to find out more about opportunities forgetting involved, please contact us in the same way.

Which services do you think are the most important? What is the best way to tell us how to improve our services, and what level of service you feel weshould provide? Let us know and you could win a prize!

The Tenant Services Authority has asked all landlords to agree with our residents how we will deliver services tomeet their new standards. These standards set out the level of services you can expect from us, but also howservices will be provided and tailored locally and which standards we need to develop, also known as ‘local offers’.

If you require information in your language, or in other formats such as audio or large print, please call 020 7525 5000.

15

www.southwark.gov.uk/vote

Don’t lose your right to vote!

Make your mark

Registration forms are delivered to every residential property in Southwark from August to November every year. Please complete and return the form immediately.

From October to November, we will visit allhouseholds that have not returned their form.

Help cut costs by responding straightaway.

For more information or to request a form

Call 020 7525 7373Email electoralenquiries@southwark.gov.uk Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/vote

Free personal safetyworkshops Would you like to learn more about personal safety?Come along to our free workshops for residents and youcan learn some simple tips and techniques to feel saferand more confident. To book, call Donna Mallon orDeborah Battiste on 020 7525 1220 or 020 7525 1215.

Date Time Group Venue

28 September 9.30am Women Inspire, Liverpool Grove, to 1.30pm 15-54 SE17 2HJ

2 October 10am Women Inspire, Liverpool Grove, to 2pm 15-54 SE17 2HJ

5 October 10am Mixed Inspire, Liverpool Grove, to 2pm 55+ SE17 2HJ

25 October 10am Girls Peckham Pulseto 2pm 13-17 10 Melon Rd, SE15 5QN

25 October 2.30pm Boys Peckham Pulseto 6.30pm 13-17 10 Melon Rd, SE15 5QN

28 October 10am Young people Peckham Pulseto 2pm mixed 10 Melon Rd, SE15 5QN

6 November 10am Women Inspire, Liverpool Grove, to 2pm 15-54 SE17 2HJ

Word search

And finally...16

How to make a difference to your area How to apply for a school place in SouthwarkHow to make the most of your money

Pick which of the followingsubjects you’d most like to readabout in a future issue ofSouthwark Housing News

Send back your completed word search by 30 September to: SouthwarkCouncil, The Editor, Southwark Housing News, Communications Team POBOX 64529, London SE1P 5LX. Winners will be announced in the next edition.

Name:

Address:

Comments:

Tel no:

Age:

The information you provide will be used fairly and lawfully and Southwark Council will notknowingly do anything which may lead to a breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.

The lucky winner last issue was Helen Grater, 35

Search for the words below and you could WIN £50 worth ofshopping vouchers.

Publication date March 2010. This magazine is printed on recycled paper.

D O R I H U A L V I O S N I X AC E D Y T I N U X M O L L F I RU N O C S E R F L A D S E H N CF R U T S L L I F D N A L O L TN T D R O T C A R T N O C M F IV R G P O E C T V K H I P E S NH A R A M S E R U G S E E C E EE M N R A K Z D E B D D T O M DQ S A V S E I C W I B A Y M J RI G E I M I S B P A U V A I N AC U T S B G N W C L S R H N U GA U Z N S C W K V W E E V G U FG F H L S R O T F S M H G A E XE X M L G E D E F A T E F B T E

WORDS:CUTSFEEDBACKCONTRACTOR

DOWNSIZESMARTALFRESOHOMECOMING

GARDENSAVELANDFILLHELP

Useful housing contactsRentPay by direct debit: 020 7525 2600Pay by debit/credit card: 0845 6000 611 (24hrs)

Pay online: www.southwark.gov.uk/onlinepayments

To pay in person: Peckham cash office: 19-23 Bournemouth Road, SE15; Walworth cash office: 177-179 Walworth Road SE17;Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8.30am to 4.45pm, Sat 8.30am to 2.45pm

To pay by post: The London Borough of Southwarkcashiers, 19 Spa Road, PO Box 11767, London SE16 3QN

Repairs Tel: 0800 952 4444 (24hrs)

Utilities (emergencies): Electricity: 0800 096 9000; Gas: 0800 111 999;Water: 0845 200 800

Leaseholders/freeholders Home ownership unit - Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm Tel: 020 7525 1400Email: hsg.homeownership@southwark.gov.uk

Housing services for council tenantsTel: 020 7525 2600Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

Southwark antisocial behaviour unitTel: 020 7525 5777 (24 hours)Email: sasbu@southwark.gov.uk Web: www.safersouthwark.gov.uk

Southwark Homesearch Bidding hotline: 0845 270 0655 Bidding text line: 07781 486 526 Advice line: 020 7525 4140 Web: www.southwarkhomesearch.org.uk