Following our November update, we are currently at the stage of the process where contractors are submitting their applications to us for review. It’s important to us that this process is carried out thoroughly to make sure we bring in the right contractors who meet your needs. Once we have shortlisted suitable contractors, we will be inviting them to be interviewed.
As we mentioned in our previous letter, timeframes may change as this project progresses and we still are on track to award a contract by 1 April 2025 and have a process in place to make sure the service to you is not affected while we change to the new contract model.
Once we have selected our contractors to deliver our repairs service, we will be in contact with you to let you know who they are, when they will be starting and everything else you need to know about reporting repairs.
We apologise that the portal has been down since November. We have been looking into the issues and it has taken us longer than anticipated to find a solution. We hope to write to residents in the new year with a plan for the portal offering.
In the meantime, you can pay your rent or check your accounts by:
- Calling us on 0800 054 6710:
- Press option 2 to make an automated payment.
- Press option 3 to speak to a Customer Service Advisor who can help with taking payments, send rent statements, order a rent card, set up or change your direct debit or can put you in touch the Income team to discuss payments plans.
- Visiting https://www.allpayments.net/ to make a payment if you have a rent card.
- Visiting a PayPoint or post office to pay rent in person if you have a rent card.
- Email us at customers@ccha.biz requesting a rent statement.
Thank you for your patience while we look into this.
Please note, we are closed over the holiday period from 4pm on 24 December and will reopen on Thursday 2 January 2025.
Over the holiday season, our offices and phonelines will be closed. You’ll still be able to make payments or report emergency repairs though by calling us on 0800 054 6710.
We hope you have a lovely time!
Open: Tuesday 24 December 2024 – 9am – 4pm
Closed: Wednesday 25 December 2024 to Wednesday 1 January 2024
Open: Thursday 2 January 2024 – 9am – 5pm
To report an emergency repair, please call Axis on freephone number:
0800 056 7068
For gas servicing enquiries, please call Smith & Byford on:
020 8652 7016
If you smell gas, please call the emergency gas number on:
0800 111 999
One issue that can come up in the colder months is excess condensation, which can lead to problems such as mould growth. While small amounts of condensation are normal and usually not a problem, there are some everyday things we can all to do help prevent it.
What is condensation?
Condensation happens when moisture in the air of your home settles on a cold surface, normally a wall or window. Water will then collect on the surface and is common in our homes, especially during the winter or when cooking, cleaning, and showering. Even breathing can contribute to condensation. You may notice it on your windows when it is cold outside and warm inside. The following tips will help you prevent and manage condensation. If you still have problems after following these tips, get in touch with us to help.
Open your windows
Opening windows when cooking, bathing, showering and drying clothes helps moist air escape and prevent water collecting on surfaces.
Turn on the extractor fan
It’s always a good idea to turn on your extractor fan when cooking, showering, or bathing. This will help remove any excess moisture from the air and prevent mould growth. Next time you’re cooking up a storm or enjoying a hot shower, remember to turn on that switch!
Put lids on pans when cooking
Remember to put a lid on your pan when cooking. It will stop the steam escaping and causing condensation to form on surfaces.
Keep your home heated & set your thermostat
To avoid excess moisture, try keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. Setting the thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, ideally between 18 – 21°C, is a great way to keep your home a steady temperature and keep energy bills down.
Dry clothes
Did you know that drying clothes outside can help reduce moisture in your home? If you have to dry your clothes indoors, try using a drying rack and opening a window slightly or turn on your extractor fan to reduce condensation.
Move furniture away from walls
Condensation can form on cold external walls, and if furniture is resting against them, it can cause mould to form. Moving your furniture away from radiators or heaters can also help improve heat and air circulation around the room.
Put up curtains and add rugs
Curtains and rugs are essential for keeping your home warm during the colder months. It’s best to have curtains stop between the windowsill and above the radiators which allows for maximum warmth to be kept in. It’s also helpful to open the curtains in the morning and close them at dusk to let in heat from the sun and keep the cold out at night.
Twist the radiator valves
Turning up your radiators in the rooms you use the most and lower in the rooms can make a big difference in your energy bills and keep your home comfortable all year long.
Close your doors
Close internal doors and use draught excluders to help keep the heat in the rooms you use the most. This can be a great way to reduce the heat that moves into the colder areas of your home and keep you warm and comfortable.
Wipe away condensation
If you notice any condensation on a surface, wiping it down with a dry and clean cloth or towel is important. This will help prevent any potential water damage or mould growth.
If you happen to spot any signs of excess condensation, the tips aren’t helping, or you notice damp and mould in your home, please contact us right away. We’ll arrange for an inspection and provide you with guidance on the next steps to take.
Call Axis on: 0800 056 7068
Email Axis at: ccharepairs@axiseurope.com
We are pleased to share that this month the Regulator of Social Housing has confirmed our V1 G1 status following a stability check to see how we’ve been getting on.
V1 refers to the judgement that we meet the Regulator’s viability requirements and that we have the financial capacity to deal with a wide range of adverse scenarios.
G1 refers to the judgement that we meet the Regulator’s governance requirements.
These results remain unchanged from our grades in February 2024 and we are pleased to have achieved the highest grade possible. You can find out more on the Regulator of Social Housing’s website.
As part of our work to help you keep a Healthy Home, here’s a short video that gives you practical advice on how to reduce everyday condensation.
All homes are at risk of condensation, especially in winter, so it is important to know what to look out for and how to prevent it.
The video covers:
- How to spot condensation and what to do if you find it.
- How to prevent condensation.
- What to do if you notice damp and mould.
We hope you find the video useful and if you‘re experiencing damp and mould and the tips in the video aren’t helping, please contact us as soon as you can.
Call Axis on: 0800 056 7068
Email Axis at: ccharepairs@axiseurope.com
Our top priority is ensuring you have a safe and healthy home. One issue that can come up in the colder months is excess condensation, which can lead to problems such as mould growth. While small amounts of condensation are normal and usually not a problem, there are some everyday things we can all to do help prevent it.
To help you with this, we’ve teamed up with Energy Saving Trust to create a handbook and short video that offers tips on managing condensation and maintaining a healthy home.
We also provide information on identifying different types of damp, so you can alert us if you notice any concerns.
Please let us know immediately if you spot any damp or mould in your home, or if the tips do not help reducing excess condensation, and we’ll arrange an inspection and guide you through the next steps.
Call Axis on: 0800 056 7068
Email Axis at: ccharepairs@axiseurope.com
Read the Healthy Home Handbook.
We hope you find the handbook and the video useful and if you’re unsure of anything, please get in touch with the team on the above details.
Following our announcement last month, we are pleased to say that the first stage of the process of moving to a new maintenance contract and model is now complete, where all residents have been informed.
Thank you to those who have been in contact with us. We’ve had some interest from residents who would like to be more involved in the interviewing process and now have our selection of residents for this.
In the next stage of the process, contractors will submit their applications to us. We will be reviewing these over the coming months and be back in contact in January once we have evaluated them.
Axis will continue to deliver the current repairs service until 31 March 2025 while we go through this process. The new repairs contract will begin on 01 April 2025, and we will be in touch nearer the time to update you on who will be providing this service.
Please note, our office is open for appointments only.
Our office at 29 Sheldon Street is a smaller space than our previous office and as our staff work flexibly this means that not all staff will be available every day. The best way to contact us is to call or email us and if you’d still like to meet with a member of staff face to face in the office, we can arrange that for you.
If you attend the office, we must confirm your details before allowing access. If you don’t have an appointment, we’ll do our best to help you, but we may need to book you an appointment for another time.
Please respect our staff. We will not tolerate verbal or physical abuse. Thank you for your understanding.
Last month we visited one of our properties in Purley and were joined by some of our Leadership Team, Board, Housing, Property and Customer Service Teams and local Councillor Samir Dwesar.
We’ve really enjoyed getting out and about this year to visit residents. This is your chance to meet us, see the properties and what might need doing there and be on hand for any questions you may have.
Having a Councillor in attendance was great as we were able to raise the issue of the road being in urgent need of repair. He advised that this may be the responsibility of the freeholder of a neighbour but will raise it to the Council Officer for us.
A big thank you to Cllr Dwesar for attending. You can read Cllr Samir Dwesar’s summary of the visit here.
We are planning to visit two more sites before the end of 2024 and have another three booked in for early next year.
