Housing News Summer 2009 - South Derbyshire District Council

Weekly rent decrease
You will all be aware that as at 1 August your weekly rent has been reduced and backdated to
6 April 2009, the start of the financial year.
Each year we amend your weekly rent payable to fit in with Government set targets. As our rents are
considered to be low they will increase toward the target each year. However with the current downturn
in the economy the Government allowed Local Authorities to reduce the increase set in April 2009.
Therefore you will have received a letter in July outlining the new basic rent payable on your property.
If you pay by Direct Debit your payment will change automatically. If you pay by Standing Order you
must contact your bank as soon as possible to amend your payment. For those of you in receipt of
Housing Benefit this will be amended accordingly and any overpayments will be recovered in due
course. We have delayed sending out your quarterly rent statement which you would normally receive
at the beginning of July. Corrected statements will be sent out in late August once your account
has been corrected with the new rent. We hope this does not cause you too much inconvenience.
If you have any queries with your rent please contact Karen Lawrenson on 01283 595807 or e-mail
karen.lawrenson@south-derbys.gov.uk
Create your own Tenant Group
A Tenant & Resident Association is formed by a group of people living in an area,
on an estate or in a block that come together as an organisation to:
•
represent their mutual interests
•
improve housing conditions and
local amenities
•
promote community spirit
•
work with the Council and local
agencies to improve the area for
local people
Forming a Tenant & Resident Association can bring many advantages for you and those who
live and work in your community. The main advantage is that it provides members of the community
with a voice to make their views and opinions known to South Derbyshire District Council and other
local agencies and organisations.
We currently have several recognised groups in the District. Among these are South Derbyshire Tenants'
Forum, Brook Close Community Club based in Findern and Etwall Community Group. These groups not only
organise their own meetings and work alongside the Council in improving services but hold their own
fundraising events and organise trips out for people in their community. The activities can vary but all have
a main objective to bring people together to socialise and work together to improve the area in which they
live. Examples include general meetings, chair exercises, bingo, quiz nights and fish & chip nights.
They have worked with local school children and also go on outings. These have included cream teas at
local garden centres and a recent trip to see a musical at the Assembly Rooms in Derby.
If you would like more information about forming a Tenant & Resident Association in
your area phone the Tenant Participation Officer on 01283 595788 for a copy of the
'Guide to setting up and running a Tenant & Resident Association'.
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