Christmas Wishes from Housing News

Have a great festive period, we’ll be back in 2022!

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Retirement housing to let in Ferryden, Montrose

We have retirement housing available to let in the Southesk Court complex in Ferryden.

Ferryden is a quaint and quiet fishing community just on the outskirts of Montrose.  There are bus links to local services, the town centre and further afield, throughout Angus, and beyond.

The properties available are one-bedroom apartments. They come with modern kitchens, gas heating (cost of which is incorporated into the rent and service charge) and level access shower, as well as a communal laundry facility.  There is also a communal lounge (re-opening soon, currently closed to comply with COVID restrictions). Retirement housing is recommended for those over 60 years of age, although consideration is given to younger ages.

Upcoming properties within Southesk Court will be advertised on the Angus Homefinder page from this Friday, with further detail and photos.

If you think this type of accommodation suits your needs, or that of a family member, please get in touch. brechinmontrosecht@angus.gov.uk

Photos of Southesk Court:

COVID changes to the Housing Repairs Service

Please be aware that from 5 pm 23^rd  December the Housing Repairs Service will be moving to EMERGENCY repairs only.

Angus Council has made this decision because of the Scottish Government Guidance as updated on 17 December 2021. This is under continual review to stay in line with any future amendments from Scottish Government Guidance in relation to COVID-19.

How will this affect you?

The changes will alter how we deliver your Repairs and Servicing Maintenance and have resulted in the Right to Repair once again being suspended.

What Emergency Repairs will be possible?

As during previous restrictions, we will only carry out certain emergency repairs to tenants’ properties.

The reduced list of emergency repairs which we will still do is:

• Loss of heating and/or hot water – Total loss of both heating & hot water with no electric shower
• Uncontainable leak
• Sewage backing up and overflowing into the property
• Serious security problem, such as a front door that cannot be locked
• Loss of essential services, such as water or electricity.

All emergency repairs can be reported to the ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778.

If your emergency repairs are about gas central heating then please phone WRB Gas on 01382 20 40 30.

Can Non-emergency Repairs still be reported?

Yes, please continue to report any non-emergency repairs to your home to allow these to be logged. Whilst these cannot be addressed right now, it will allow us and your repairs contractor to plan out all repairs and allocate them to the appropriate trade as soon as restrictions are eased.

Non-emergency repairs can be reported by phoning the ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778.

Will Services Maintenance work continue?

We will continue to carry out annual servicing of gas heating systems, electrical testing and upgrade to LD2 Smoke alarm systems. This is a statutory requirement that we are required to carry out by law and there is an obligation for you as a tenant to provide access.

We appreciate that the ongoing COVID restrictions are challenging for us all, tenants and officers, however, we take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of officers who are complying with government guidance – abuse towards our officers will not be tolerated.

The guidance advises that a contractor should undertake a daily lateral flow test (for your safety). It is also advised that residents undertake one prior to the contractor entering their home and, whilst it is appreciated that you may not have time to undertake one in an emergency situation, for your own safety we would advise tests be taken if you have them available and there is sufficient time.

Will Planned Works continue?

Yes, Planned Works in your homes will continue after the Holiday period however this will be subject to regular assessment in line with any change to Government Guidance.

Here is a list of these works:

· Bathroom upgrades

· Kitchen upgrades

· Energy Efficiency works

· Electric Heating Upgrades

· Window Upgrades

· External Repaints

Further Guidance on required testing will be issued Friday 07 January 2022 as a specific piece of guidance relating to planned works.

Where can you get Lateral Flow Tests from?

Please follow the appropriate links below to find out the collection option easiest for you.

Collect LFD tests from your nearest coronavirus test site

Find your nearest coronavirus test site where LFD tests can be collected

You can collect up to two packs of seven tests per household, or up to four packs of seven tests if you’re collecting for multiple people.

You can collect from coronavirus test sites between 8am and 8pm. You do not need to book an appointment.

Collect LFD tests from your nearest pharmacy

Find your nearest participating pharmacy

You can collect one pack of seven LFD tests per person. If you’re collecting for a household, you can collect one pack for each household member.

You do not need to book an appointment, but you should check opening times.

Do not enter a pharmacy if you have coronavirus symptoms. Self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test instead.

Order LFD tests to your home

You can order LFD tests to be sent to your home.

Your order will contain one pack of seven LFD tests. It’ll be delivered to your home in one to two days. You can order one pack per household per day.

If you’re ordering for another household as well as your own, you should:

· complete a separate order

· use their personal details

See the full NHS Guidance to find out how to obtain a test.

Housing Services Update due to Omicron

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread, the Scottish Government has issued new guidance to keep businesses and services open and protect against pressure on health services.

The safety of our workforce, tenants, and wider communities is an absolute priority at this time, as it has been throughout the pandemic response.

We’ll be working to the Safer Businesses and Workplaces Guidance and Managing Services guidance.

You may notice some changes to our services, and these are outlined below:

Repairs: From 5 pm 23rd December, we’ll only be carrying out emergency repairs on Council properties. Annual gas safety inspections are unchanged.

Estate Management: Our officers will not be entering tenants’ houses unless it is essential, but can carry out face-to-face visits on the doorstep.

We’ll be encouraging staff to test twice weekly. Officers working in people’s homes should also take a Lateral Flow test beforehand and we ask that, wherever possible, tenants do the same.

This is in addition to the existing principles of ensuring use of face masks; good ventilation (e.g. opening windows where possible) and continuing to practice safe physical distancing (e.g. by staying in different rooms or different areas of the building).

Our staff will be working from home if they can do so.

Please bear with us at this difficult time – we will give further updates as things change.