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Advice to live well in your home this winter.

05th November 2024
Staywell

As your landlord we’re committed to providing you with a safe and healthy home, so please contact us if you need our help and support.


We know living costs continue to be a concern for our customers, particularly as we head into winter. If you’re struggling, please reach out to us  so we can see how we can help.

It’s really important to prioritise paying your rent, so if there’s any support we can provide or if your circumstances have recently changed, please get in touch so we can explore what further help we can provide.

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Check you’re receiving money you’re entitled to

Our easy-to-use benefits calculator takes just 10 minutes to use and could help you access extra benefits, grants and other support that you or your family may be entitled to. Last year, we helped customers claim £502,656 in extra income they were entitled to. Make sure you don’t miss out.

Help with energy bills and utilities

If you are struggling to keep your home warm, contact your energy supplier as soon as possible. They can provide financial support and review your payments, offer payment breaks or reductions.  
  
They can also see if you are eligible for the Warm Homes Discount This is a one-off £150 discount from the Government off your electricity bill to help people living on a low income or pension over the winter months. 
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A little extra help with Priority Services

The Priority Services Register is a free support service to help people in vulnerable situations, offered by energy and utilities providers. You are eligible for the register if you: ✅ have reached state pension age ✅ are disabled or have a long-term medical condition ✅ are recovering from an injury ✅ have a hearing or sight condition ✅ have a mental health condition ✅ are pregnant or have young children ✅ have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well).

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Here to help with repairs over the winter months

We always aim to meet our repairs targets and deliver to the planned schedule, but there may be times when we are required to change your appointment at short notice. Adverse weather conditions such as high winds, heavy rain, extreme heat, snow, ice, and flooding can affect our ability to safely access your home or carry out certain repairs.
 
 During periods of adverse weather, the following types of work may be impacted: 🛠 Roofing, guttering, and loft repairs. 🛠 Repairs at height. 🛠 External work like fencing, gates, paving, painting, rendering, and external lighting. 🛠 Repairs to external windows and doors. 🛠 Communal TV aerial repairs. *Please note, this is not an exclusive list, and other work may be impacted.
 
 Additionally, during very cold weather, frozen pipes and other weather-related issues may increase demand for repairs, which could also impact our ability to reach your property safely or on time.

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Condensation, damp and mould

All homes are at risk of condensation, particularly in the winter. A small amount of condensation isn’t usually a problem and can be managed, but excess condensation can lead to mould which you might start to see build up in your home. It’s important to report this to us quickly, before it has chance to develop and spread. Did you know? We all produce between three and four pints of moisture each day through routine activities like cooking, showering, washing and ironing.

Healthy Home Top Tips video

The Energy Saving Trust has created a short video highlighting some of the things you can do to manage condensation and maintain a healthy home – click below to watch it.

You can also download a copy of the Energy Saving Trust’s Healthy Homes Handbook here featuring the top tips from the video, as well as information about the different types of damp to help you spot any problems in your home.
 

Please let us know if you’re experiencing any of these issues so we can help.

You can also visit the damp and condensation page on our website for further information and advice.

Contact us

Use your extractor fans

Using extractor fans when cooking or bathing is the most effective way of removing moisture from the air. These fans are cheap to run.  Even when you have them on all the time in the ‘background’ mode, a bathroom fan costs £9.38 a year and a kitchen fan £12.58.
 
You can see how that compares to other household appliances below.

If your fans are broken or missing please report this to us straight away. 

 

Condensation is not the only cause of damp and mould. It could be the result of leaks, issues with guttering, cracks in walls, missing fans or rising damp.

 

If you are affected by any of these problems, please fill out this form or contact us in one of the other ways listed here as soon as possible so we can help.

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Energy-saving advice

When every pound counts, the tips below can help minimise your energy bills. ❄️ Keep radiators clear and use the radiator valves. ❄️ Swap baths for showers. ❄️ Close curtains and blinds when it goes dark. ❄️ Wear lots of layers – as warm air is trapped between. ❄️ Make sure you have a full wash load and wash at 30 where you can. ❄️ Use energy saving light-bulbs. ❄️ Switch appliances off standby.

Support with food costs

An interactive map highlighting food banks and community pantries has been produced by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and can be accessed here. Click on your location to see who can help in your area.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Helping Hand web pages has a section on support with food costs – click here to check out what is in your area.
 
Did you know? If you’re on certain benefits and are pregnant or have a child under four, you’re eligible for a Healthy Start Card. Receive £8.50 a week for children aged 0 to 1 and £4.25 a week for those aged 1 to 4. The card can be spent in some UK stores on fruit, vegetables, formula, and milk, and you also qualify for free vitamins. Cards are topped up every four weeks. Find out more here
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Support in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Helping Hand web pages include details of how to access a wide range of help - from support with energy costs, to help accessing childcare and employment, as well as details of the various hardship funds offered by the different local councils.

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Update your details

We want to provide a service which meets your needs. To help us do this, please let us know of any changes in your circumstances which might impact on how you live in your home. For example, any support needs, or any changes in how we communicate with you. All the information you provide will be stored securely in line with General Data Protection Regulation and only used to help us support you better. The easiest way to update us is through our new customer portal, in the ‘About me’ section. If you haven’t registered for the portal yet, click here to request an account and we’ll be in touch with all the details you need. If you’d prefer to speak with someone to update your circumstances, you can Live Chat with us or call us on 0300 561 1111.