OurHome 16 July 2014

2
ourhome
ourhome
Experiencing work with Apna Ghar
3
Amarjit joins tenancy services
Apna Ghar is currently providing work experience for two
enthusiastic volunteers, who joined us for six months from March.
Amarjit Gujral, who previously worked as one of our Support
Officers, is now a part-time Tenancy Services Officer.
Amarjit is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Susan Gustave (pictured left) already has lots of
volunteering experience, but Apna Ghar is helping
her get ready to return to work.
“I used to work in schools and I had a T-shirt stall
in Portobello Market for a while. But I gave up
work to look after my daughter while she was
growing up.
“I got quite involved in the community to keep
active. For 10 years I was on the Management
Committee at an open access playground my
daughter used. After two years I became Chair.
“I still volunteer on Saturdays at
Westminster Drug Project. We run a
social club for service users.
“It has been really great at Apna
Ghar. I’ve learned an incredible
amount. I was nervous to start
with, but I’ve really grown in
confidence and I feel like I
could interview really well now.
“I’m now looking for a job in
admin and reception and I’ve
applied for a couple of jobs in
schools.”
Guler Kaya (pictured right) is finding volunteering
with Apna Ghar really helpful.
“I finished my foundation degree in business last
year. I spent two years at Barnet College and the
final year at Middlesex College. I would like an
admin or reception job and I’ve been looking for
work since then,” she says.
“It is difficult because people are asking for two
years’ experience. I did two months’ work
experience in the university reception, as part of
my course. Before that I worked part-time in a big
supermarket to pay my expenses while I was a
student.
“I’ve been at Apna Ghar for four
months. I deal with tenants
reporting repairs and contact the
contractor for them. I also deal
with emails to contractors.
“It’s good experience here,
because there are different
departments – like finance
and housing – so I am
learning a lot of new
things.”
Do you have contents insurance?
To cover the items you own against fire, theft,
burst pipes, loss or damage, you need your
own contents insurance.
For a little extra, you can insure:
■ items like your mobile phone, watch, jewellery
or laptop computer when you’re not at home
■ your wheelchair, mobility scooter or hearing aid
■ your shed or greenhouse.
You can also pay for accidental damage cover.
If you live in Ealing, Hackney, Haringey, Harrow or Islington, you will
need to contact Amarjit for help with your tenancy.
Because we belong to the National Housing
Federation, you can choose to sign up to
affordable home contents insurance through
their My Home scheme.
My Home offers low premiums and easy payment
methods. For a pack or to find out more, phone
lo-call 0845 337 2463 from your landline.
(However, it may be
cheaper to call 01628
586189 from a mobile.)
Audrey Chambers covers Brent and Newham.
Dishwashers in safety alert
The Indesit company wants to hear from anyone who bought
an Indesit or Hotpoint dishwasher between January 2008
and July 2010.
The company has announced
that 330,000 machines could
potentially be affected by a
fault that has already caused
18 fires. The fires are caused
by a component overheating.
Indesit is currently trying to
contact all registered owners,
but you can also check your
model and serial number on
the Hotpoint website at
www.hotpointservice.co.uk/fdw/
For more information, you
should call their Service Centre
on 0344 822 5201.
HCHA Handy Person Service
See the leaflet sent with this
newsletter for details.
We can help you with that...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
__
$ ALL JOBS - LARGE OR SMALL
W E A R E I D E A$ L F $O R
$
When you call, an HCHA assessor will talk to you
about your job – or arrange a free home visit. If you
agree to the work, they will charge a flat fee for
labour and charge for the materials at cost price.
As promised, we are organising
a day trip for residents.
A r e you loo
oo k i ng for the
Id eal Han
n dyman?
If you live in north-west London and need small
adaptions to your home, or help with curtains,
furniture assembly or door security – you can call
the HCHA Handy Person Service on 020 8424 2776
or email [email protected]
The service is run by Harrow Churches HA.
Fancy a day trip?
• Day-to-day
fixing, maintaining
DAY TO DAY
$ $
and$ assembling
jobs
• Electrical work
$
$ $
ELECTRICAL
•$ $ Decorating
• Plumbing
• Gardening
$
$ $
DECORATING
• Safety & security.
$
Call freephone
0800 848 8148
PLUMBING
Email [email protected]
$
Go to www.idealhandyman.co.uk
GARDENING
$
$
$
$
ourhome
Out-of-hours emergency repair
numbers for the properties we manage
Contact us
Office hours: Monday to
Friday, 9am to 5pm
Phone: 020 8795 5405
Fax: 020 8795 5755
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.agha.org.uk
Write to: 1 Olympic Way,
Wembley, Middlesex
HA9 0NP
Emergency repairs when our offices are shut are
handled by the landlord that owns your home.
Our offices are shut on weekdays from 5pm to
9am, at weekends and on Bank holidays.
A2 Dominion: 0800 432 0077
Apna Ghar: 033 3000 3000 (from
6pm to 8am and all weekend)
Asra Housing Group:
0116 257 6716
Circle 33: 0800 073 0417 or
020 7447 3100
Family Mosaic: 0300 123 3456
Metropolitan Housing Trust:
020 3535 3535
Network Stadium Housing
Association: 0300 373 3001
North London Muslim Housing
Association: 020 8815 4200
Octavia Housing & Care:
0800 479 0011 (Homeserve)
Genesis: 033 3000 3000
One Housing Group:
0300 123 9966
Guinness Partnership:
03000 111 321 (6pm to 8am)
Peabody Trust: 0800 022 4040
Genesis: 033 3000 3000
Sanctuary Housing Association:
0800 781 4823
Islington & Shoreditch Housing
Association:
020 7704 7300
If you live at Damask Court, your
out-of-hours emergency number is
0300 456 3748 (from 5pm to 8am).
London & Quadrant Housing
Trust: 0800 015 6536
Property
swap event
Looking for a home swap
in the Brent area?
Ten local social landlords
are putting on a property
swap event for residents who
want a move in west London
and Apna Ghar residents
are invited.
The event will take place on
Wednesday 30 July from 27pm at The Welford Centre,
113 Chalkhill Road, London
HA9 9FX.
To register your interest,
email the organisers at
[email protected], by
23 July at the latest.
Swapping homes with
HomeSwapper
As an Apna Ghar tenant, you can sign up to the national
online HomeSwapper scheme for free, because we’re a
partner member.
Swapping homes with another
social rented tenant is by far
the best way for you
to find a new
property.
You are allowed to look
for a swap if you’re
an assured tenant
or if you have one of the new
fixed-term assured shorthold
tenancies.
To use HomeSwapper, you
need to register the details of
your home, online at
www.homeswapper.co.uk
You can then start
searching for a
swap partner.
Don’t forget you
need written
permission from both
landlords before you swap.
If you need help to use
HomeSwapper, call the Apna
Ghar office.
July 2014
Our new Tenants’ Handbook
We will soon be sending out copies of our brand-new Tenants’
Handbook, with lots of useful information for tenants.
The handbook covers the key things you
need to know – from the day you move
in to your Apna Ghar home till the
day you move out.
You will find information about
your rights and responsibilities as
our tenant and lots of tips for living
in your home.
2
5
What you can
ts
h
ig
Your r ibilities expect from us
10 ints nts and respons
a
W
l
Customer service
e
mp lim
Co comp
Y
d
an
Mo 3
vi
in ng
he
ny
of
y
o
y
hen you
ch our ou a u sig
a
g
are rea
in rgin tenan ree n yo
tenanc
dy to end
ur
stra g y
a
y, you
c
notice
your
lusive
must giv
ing
in writing
igh ou y. Th Mon tena
e has exc
e us fou
Sub-lett Weenwill:
date you
. We will
t a ren is is da ncy
someon e.
r weeks
a tenant
G
w
wh
pla
nee
as
s
is
’
n to
ay. t – e the y da agre
d to kno
r hom
ettin
ing
are mo
ibilitie
with
your enquiry promptly
–
te
ve
of you
w the
eement
to
Sub-lett t or•all deal
ving to. move out and
respons
as em
n if day
w youemail, letter or
Ga
ncy agr
and
g
wh
par
ts
allo
tena
y
of
ere
whether
it’s
by
phone,
ma
you
n
use
yo
sa
yo we the ent,
During
our righ in full in the
you get
eement
ing home
u d sta sta
your ow
Yo
your not
ur
out
nd
to face
atvid
your
or our offices
pro
ny
check
u
ancy agrface
d.
e,
rt
ice
can
are set
on rt
ma
ten
ays
stan
r
s
hom
per
ele
bring in
turn wil
alw
You
er v
’t m
wever,
your
ere you
l
. Hovisit
ned –
tenants iod, we may
part of
• make
afirst
home
within 10 days if you
contrac
sure wh
ov
ice
you sig
ask if we ho ed o need ctric
ts of
to view
sub-let
tors
mission
e
m
the sor
ent to be
ity
the pro
n
sc
this.
tten per askallo
forwthis
warn you to carry out
mary of
perty or this e ha wh to g
agreem
rds
nt
our wri
on
in advanc work. We
of your
et
s don’t
landlo
es a sum
s sh en
w
t
rta g
out
ent
giv
tha
o
will
ve
n
y
h
tion
decided about
e.
yo
p thin
o
alwaysEn
en
ecte
agreem • tell you
to mowe have
a
Before
dwhat
sibilities
This sec
If you do
erg
yo red u m ur ele
you lea
allowe
respon
is im me
er your
e else. within
treatment
for
everyone
Fair
transfer
request
seven
days
d
and
o
d
u
nev
ve,
eon
h
y
ts
e
se
c
a
d.
so
v
you sho
som
sig eati e
righ
tr
y
c
You are
• ma
t it towe
uld:
rvic got an u s.
sing frau you
The s’ n omp
n u ng in – icity
renafter
agree.
have
houinterviewed
keno
c
sure
o
We believe that
one
should be treated
e
usually
r se e
p).
a
(w
home and committing
you
u
a m y wil tice anie
’ve pai
ur
ou us w t, we rvic
owe –
e w nless nd g
are
d all religion,
unfairly because
ofif their
colour,
race,
se
ll
you mo
ko
on
h
the ren re ete l ask befo s usu
ger
a
this, you • confirm, within five working days, that
e
ill
charge
ve out
ck ou te g rig our
t youad r re
tell your s
re
a
thin d
your hom
in a lod
we have received
about
mid-we
you
age, ethnic origin,
sex,
marital
status,
ba
ing
e
sw lly
a for
to the
shares
fraud your complaint
yo
ou turne ap
ek, we
Taking
can
•
ed hen y ethin rov
W
end
s w ding your itch nee
e who
u
using
es false
behaviour and ewill
investigate
if y
ch up withidentity
p
ily. You
hostaff
sexuality, cat
transgender
orof
disability.
the we b e will
m
r fe
.
he
in d
n
is someon
eon giv n they
in e’ve me sw
the fam
ek e rec
ou s. W so to im
Social• keepis your
any min
n y We ame g th thre
your resp
en som confidential
w ho
A lodger r member of
whe and only
pla
id
u
or repairs u st d omm
:
ou
wil
d wh details
onsibil
an e su e to
ncy, or
the
ing
to or d ll us
in
to
frau
om or if g, a
e
si
e
vid
t
g
ano
tena
c
ity
•
e
r
a
l
la
tha
sig
We monitor
our services carefully to make ntgare l.
d
righ
like
, pro
nd
make
ir hom
Housin
disclose
information
if we
are required to
or
ng u te
mp
n u give add pply four
to get thei
ws this
sure you
out the
t to or, sin
a lodger
co fairly
by an o You c sho
ent allo
sure•everyone
gets equal
treatment.
rmation
or rent
ress on
p to yo
r
take in
an n po r hou
wro at yo
e
hom
–
eem
info
and
to
p
giv
clea
w
,
n
e
u
co
a
ts
is clean M
• and
not make you wait more than 30 minutes,
p
y agr
li
k
t
r all you
ou
Wa
fo
ee
yo me , an .
sion first
wh
and
r tenanc
y H tidy ntac ne e n co ing
uic lain
r rub
we
r y move out when
igh s b uest r.
ur
permis
te
d
ter
We canbel
supply
a copy
ofbish
our and
Equality
• you
appointment
onging
proand
fraud,
tin nerg mpa aro
d q mp
om
e else. you have an
a
ten r
written
q
u m ha
r e. in fo e
Ma
s with
gM
an r co
housing
ss,
vidyou
someon
eE
get our
re un
an
Yo ice ur re simil
you
y
ial
you – we tak
your hom
F e all
r, o
Diversity
policy
request.
about
pla or th
ce
if weon
cy.
out and
me ny o
• you
y H com sup d to
o
polite
clearerabout
what can and
asy ou
the Soc
rcrowd ecto comkno
have to
willedera ed br nerg
w:
,
in• webefind
serv n y thing
pro
now
it e eat y
• tell
hen
om pa plie get
ir
rt. Und
don’t ove
remove onli cha
rge
d to tive
w
use ter. T f our
ts
rt can
Wh
tio y T y S
tr
done
everyo
ke
wit e can’t
e E riso rs
s tobecou
a lotnof
r D neeto
the
• you
do some
h
w
n.
e toitem
3, a cou you to
to
ne you
lain
ma
b
ou willelse r rela u,. and ctor takhaevtenant
ne
ga , in his m new
yes, we
’re moving
Act 201
s C e N itch
to mise y.
when
send
mp
o sex
Yourdid
confidentiality
rgy n we y
er
or
s a the
•ll gprovide
with
a translator
or
we say te to oneagedand
e
Fraud you,00
ire we fu
0 and
, just as www all 0 atio is a
co
rea
Before
nd
aim pro tiall
ri nam
sa ans pro
on pag you moved in
Sw bsite
r D. that tHo
£50if you rs.
ur
W
you .m 80 nal
a usin interpreter
mee, frien e Bu y willouuse
w
to
fr
’s
e
(see
o
need
one
e
up
9)
it
ger
e
,
so
We we fiden
it
e
lec me w you pert
0
– this inclwe holdthe
yh
We keep
the information
on you
lod sk
a hom
ice the om
of
electric
ing ill g fine you up to two yea
d
co h or
ie
fraud,
om 00 Hou e serv ch.
p
tric
If your •
udes you checklist
dv
as r A
a •
a
a of you
ity sup
fr fiyou
n
py
rm
an con
detectidentity
wear name badgescks
and
ee 14 sing
to carry
ity. y as ay fo s ha
pliers wh We
safe,me
secure
and confidential.
won’t
to
r gaspass
ice
rst.
d
co us.
n ou w ys. pris•on for
in tact with
the
er ber
•partssuch ens
ne
ter rea
che
and
o will wa
ts
co t. Ythe
an
y
o
yo r th ve a
ing int fi •in which
confirm
lett em
dings without
rgy 706
iz ger, rem
full one
regular
cards
inst g da
your permission
yo our the w ut a
up ew w
nt final
•on this
ties to
let
ry out
sw , o
sys,again
inCait lod et a efit
arrainformation
lain est talkompla r expla
r a ph
u
n
a
ay
nge to
We car te visiting proper there. Please
a
taking
g ben da mpla
itc r g
ible
Fo ase
ag nee ame ater mete
rkin for
o
or without
givereason.
ons
• wdeal
g in keeping with
c
for ter y ter
mp
h.o o
riing with your enquiry
Before
ill r ing coresp
e of wyou
back toa good
all youFor example, we
ree d,
wo
. W com r, y
still livin per ty may be
r
rk also
inctolud
co e suggt your lve it,
rg.u
o
ple
yo
rthe
r
0
oulose som ouYou
us
you
key
are
are
o
w
m
will
pass
on
information
if
police
or
a
y
u
on
l
ou
ak
y
s
1
ple
our
policies
and
ways
of
working
e
p
and
ma
If y
ur u
the day
he
en
Y e w yIfo they
sure
– if you
a
so
k a pro
k
fobs
ed t peo
in bre
collect.
n y will any wil
se,
t.
youtell
d
to make
ith nuisance, we u ne righ w eifnt you thin
r ten
rm ses, w abouy to re y.
court
ask usdon
to.’tWe
also
theanc
council
eur.
co ou ne
ln
will
on rent you
ping phone
retuwill
tell to
ou
threavio
w
beh
iv
cha
We
•
answer
your
weekday
calls
from
hel
rn
a
fo
’s
y
kno
n
o
sp
e
ff
rge
a
end
be
es.
a
you
se
p
us
ger
se
sig
you for
s
r keys,you move in.
y
In ost c f sta will tr t aw
u ee
em– you
uti necte ed h
and your utility
companies
rec oroncau
our hom eholidays)
ancy. py, y
g9am
u will (except
your
ir re l. yours,lod
ons
we ma
n y ou th t the d to
replacemwhen
lity
h
Please
t use of onntpublic
na-let
d, elp
your ten
yoto 5pm
p s.
sub
giv us
y
ie ncytedconditi resp
m er o ey
the rma
bes
to
o
a
a
ent
end
e
c
ig
su
d
b
be
the
to
o
u
h
o
lock
to
h
li
wa
tenaea
n
rt
In mb , th stra
n keys.
M sema
aware
ills
r te de
s.
p
’t
don’trings,
po trld
wit t fo
within
with our names tenanc
that to
, p r adv get
Youyhave
the right
check the information
ask a cou
na tails ply
ts five
if you
e tw aren r reaso f the n•we
d answer
e
daand if inyou
ur bcou
me ible tion,
L
proper
.
lea ice yo
py plain
g
o
n
e
don
o
ails
erst
g
l
p
a
ss
t
c
la
ly,
y
u
’t
new
det
tt
ur
und
endbe
y
we
inring you
se
p back
we
hold
you,will
but we won’t
able to
m
el
tact within one working day if
Sta u stil yo
add
ha
te •
po posi
ou all
you
ressabout
trace you
r
ph on w serv
yo ing e
ork e cor
an iga
g
omcon
, so tha
r
ab atic
n’t r co
o
or cha
on
show
information
if it came
inatconfidence
u’v
ou
t
you
a p vest 20 w nam
rgesyou
If y lainin
are you
r’s ask us to
ing tom
e u ays to ices
you left we can collect your
p
e m ver y
ha .
W
ou ke
ask in in
s.
lain ill au
unp
from someone
elseaid
or if it couldany
harm
ex
pa
h
ill e to with
rent
If y ma
.
a•G letnyou leave a message on our
t.
mp
ov one
ne en y
yy
n
pn cisio
co int w lain
n
e w te
someone or have legal consequences.
w
ou
ed
ca
kn
W mmit cisio
f A l de answerphone when our office is shut or
ad ou m
all
la mp
’re
r
:
ow
a
o
d
ou mp
do
an
Co ir de
we’re having a meeting – and call you
ts
yo the d ress ove
For an appointment to see your file, or a copy
If y r co al c
en r fin
uc
ud
in,
iffe to
u
yo
the
the d ou
lain
to
back
by
the
following
working
day.
e
yo a form
l,
y
re
y
of
our
information
policy,
please
phone
us.
p
a
is
n
o
a
o
co
a
Ap
m
is
y
nta l wit nt co ur fr u ne
as
Th cess
form
na
an
Ple
co
h
ie
ct
m
to
int
ase
Gh
on . The pan nds ed to
al
pro
7
pla
ar
an
the re
ie
8
talk
g
ph
rm
e
k
Ten
to
on
oo
ne is a s an d fa ive y
Fo e on ur com
an s)
Apna Ghar Tenants’ Handbook
eu
an
d
xt
db
ice
u
13
36
ec
g
ook
Apna Gh
ts’
pa chec ag mily our
yo
an
s if
off
(w mail
Handb
ge
Ha
Sta ake
klist enc an
ar Tenant
r’s
28 ts’ H
yo
s
Tenants’
.
nd
ha aff
s’ Handb
m
un
form or e
of ies d
an Apna Ghar
eu
bo
To
ook
ee
on
pe
a G r st
Ten
ints one
o
d
r
k
op
ph Apn f ou
la
h
p
he
ha
le
it
r o com ou p
lp
•
aG
y
vis mbe
w
n
a
if
it
h th
•
Ap
me plete one
is.
u
m
co d yo
•
sen
Y
We also explain what to do if you need
to complain or to tell us about anti-social
behaviour.
We hope you will find the handbook helpful,
whether you have been an Apna Ghar tenant
for long time or have moved in recently.
Have your say in our
satisfaction survey
Our latest major survey to
find out what you feel about
your homes, our services and
the neighbourhoods you live
in will be sent out to tenants
in mid-August.
14
Ending
your te
naW
ncy
This year, the survey is being
run for us by Acuity – an
independent company that
specialises in consultancy work
for social housing.
By completing
the survey,
you can give
us important
feedback about
our work.
They will treat your answers
confidentially and report back to
us with the overall results.
We will use this feedback to
help us plan and improve the
services we provide.
Contents
Experiencing work
with Apna Ghar
2
Do you have contents
insurance?
2
Amarjit joins tenancy
services
3
Fancy a day trip?
3
Dishwashers in safety
alert
3
Handy person services
3
Property swap event
4
HomeSwapper
4