Welcome to the latest edition of the Diocesan Property Bulletin. A special welcome to you if you are new to this bulletin. We try to send this out 4 times a year with updates, reminders and useful information for housing occupiers. Read on for more information about:
- Raising issues with your house
- Warm Homes Grant
- Smart doorbells
- Preparing your house for autumn
- Tree survey
Best wishes, Property Team:
Charlotte Kirby, Property Director
Barbara Young, Parsonages Estates Manager
Elizabeth Pazzi-Axworthy, Estates and Trusts Officer (on leave)
Sharon Matchwick, Estates and Trusts Officer (temporary cover)
Lesley Shrosbree, Property Team Administrator
Raising issues with your house
You should use Fixflo to report all maintenance issues in your clergy house.
Please DO
- Always use Fixflo to let us know of repairs needed; this means that contractors have all your contact details and instructions about access in one place. Of course if it is an out-of-hours emergency do go ahead and seek help elsewhere.
- Include as much detail as possible. What, how, where, when, how often. More detail means we can send the right person, and when they arrive with you they are more likely to have the right tools and parts.
- Include photos – ideally close ups of the problem and wider shots to show context. They are incredibly helpful, so even if you don’t think they will be of use, please attach photos anyway.
Please DON’T
- Be vague. Statements like “The heating doesn’t work” don’t allow us or the contractors to anticipate what might need doing.
- Delay. The sooner we know about something the sooner we can arrange help and keep consequential damage/expense to a minimum.
- Put yourself or your family at risk by attempting a repair beyond your capabilities.
Please do have a look at the Clergy Housing Handbook. It has lots of useful information to make your life easier and more comfortable.
Warm Homes Grant
The Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme is being delivered by various local authorities to make energy-saving improvements homes, funded by central government.
The scheme is open to all privately-owned homes with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G. There is normally a household income cap of £36,000, however if you are in receipt of certain benefits you may still qualify.
You can check your eligibility and apply for the scheme here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant
It takes less than five minutes to apply and find out if you are eligible.
Only the occupier can apply for the grant scheme and you will need to supply your address, a statement about household income, an email address and a phone number. The local council will organise and pay for any improvement works which they must agree with you. Please do let us know if you successfully apply, and share any proposed work plans that the council develop for your home.
Our understanding is that previous versions of this and similar schemes have often been undersubscribed, so we would encourage you to apply and to share your knowledge of the scheme with anyone in your parish who you think may benefit from it. Different levels of funding have been awarded to each local council, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the money is allocated fairly, and in compliance with the rules and aims of the funding.
Smart Doorbells
The Property Team are happy for occupiers to install smart doorbells (e.g. Ring). We will reimburse installation costs, but all ongoing maintenance costs and/or contracts will be the responsibility of the occupier or PCC.
Preparing for Autumn
At this time of year it is important that, where it is safe to do so, you ensure gutters are kept clear of debris such as fallen leaves.
If you have an open fire please ensure that you have the chimney swept before using it this season.
Tree Survey update
The Tree Survey is nearing completion, with the final properties being surveyed this month. Any urgent works are already in hand. We will plan any advisory works once the final reports are received.