Sent to all customers with a registered email address on 22/11/2022

It’s amazing to think that we are fast approaching the end of the year. After enjoying all the fireworks on Bonfire Night, the dark evenings will shortly be lit up by people’s Christmas lights displays. But it wouldn’t surprise me if fewer homes decide to decorate their home with big displays this year due to the rises in the cost of energy.

Managing the increase in the cost of living

We know that times aren’t easy at the moment. The cost of food, energy and other day-to-day essentials have been rising throughout the year and we understand the pressure this could be putting on your household’s budget. If it gets to the point where you’re worried about paying for the essentials please talk to us. We have a number of different ways for you to get in contact with us, so please use the one that is most convenient for you.

It's always better to talk early on and our colleagues are here to connect you with local organisations that can provide help on a whole range of subjects. Our website also has information about how to save money and ensure you are claiming everything you are entitled to. Please have a look as you may find some useful information.

Money worries can also have an impact on people’s wellbeing and so we have just added a mental health page to our website, which includes a toolkit from Mental Health & Money Advice to help understand and manage your mental and financial health. We also have links to some trusted organisations that can help if you feel you need to talk to someone.

We’ll shortly be contacting a selection of customers to ask them to complete a survey about their experiences with the increases in the cost-of-living. If you receive one of these surveys, please take the time to complete it as your responses will help us to decide what areas to prioritise over the year ahead.

As mentioned the rising cost of energy has been one of the biggest concerns during the year and the Government has put measures in place to help support households. Find out more about what help is available and whether you are eligible on the gov.uk website

Sign up to our portal for your chance to win a £100 shopping voucher

I'm pleased to say that our customer portal is now available once again and if you register for your account by 28 February 2023 then you’ll be entered into our prize draw to win £100 shopping voucher.

As I mentioned in my last email, when we switched the portal off in the summer following the cyber incident we decided to take the time to make some improvements to the site following feedback we’d received. We’ve completed this work and the portal is once again available for all customers to use.

In a nutshell the customer portal is your one-stop shop to:

• make a payment at any time
• request a repair
• view your account(s)
• access help and advice
• view any upcoming appointments
• amend your personal details

If you’d not previously signed up to the portal, you’ll need to register your account before you can start using it. To do so, you’ll need your tenancy reference number. If you don't have your new tenancy reference number yet, you'll shortly receive a letter from us in the post with it on.

Then it’s just three simple steps to set up your account:

1. visit www.bromford.co.uk/createyourpassword
2. create a password for your account and confirm your email address
3. enter your tenancy reference number and you’ll be able to start using the portal

If you register your account before 28 February 2023 you’ll be automatically entered into a prize draw to win one of five £100 Love2shop vouchers. Terms and conditions apply. We’ll announce the winners of the draw in a newsletter in the new year.

Improving safety in your home

I know everyone wants to keep themselves and their families safe, which is why we're installing carbon monoxide detectors in our rental homes that don't already have them.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that comes from faulty appliances that burn fuel, including gas, solid and oil fuels. A carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm if it senses the presence of the gas, alerting you to the potential danger.

Your home may already have carbon monoxide detectors installed but if not then we’ll be coming out to fit one in the next few months. If you already have a repair, gas service or electrical inspection booked in, we’ll install the detector at the same time. Otherwise, your neighbourhood coach will fit the detector at their next visit to you.

As we need to fit a detector in every room that has a wood burning stove, gas boiler or fire, we may need to fit more than one. If you don’t have any of these in your home, then we won’t need to install a detector.

Staying safe

We'll test your alarm each year when we complete our annual safety inspection, but you should also regularly test it by pushing the button on the front of the device.

If your alarm is not working or is faulty, please contact us and we'll arrange a replacement for you. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, please call us straight away on 0330 1234 034.

For further information visit the gas safe register website.

Kevin Bennett
Director of localities and customer contact