Coronavirus
Overview
LAST UPDATED | Wednesday 09 February 2022
- All main services are being delivered as ‘normal’
- Our Housing office locations and reception services remain closed for drop-in visits
- Stockbrook Street office is open for appointments only
- If we need to visit your home, we will do so safely and take measure to reduce any risks, including wearing a face covering
- All Community Rooms have reopened
Service levels may change at short notice if numbers of staff self-isolating increase. If this happens, we will prioritise the most urgent service needs.
Please tell us if you feel anyone in your home is at higher risk of the virus or is displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
Repairs to your home
Repairs are being carried out as normal.
Appointments may take longer than usual. We are experiencing high demand, but we remain committed to getting services back to normal. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
We will contact you beforehand to check whether you or any member of your household has symptoms or if you have any other risks or concerns. If anyone is showing symptoms, we will rearrange the repair.
Please tell us if you feel anyone in your home is at higher risk of the virus or is displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
We will take all reasonable precautions to work safely whilst we are in your home. This may include:
- Cleaning the areas that we work in before we start and when we finish
- Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face coverings, where appropriate
- Asking you to stay in another room and ventilate your home whilst we carry out our work
Service levels may change at short notice if numbers of staff self-isolating increase. If this happens, we will prioritise the most urgent service needs.
Improvement work
Our planned programme of improvement work is being carried out as normal. By improvement work, we mean:
- kitchen renewals
- bathroom renewals
- adaptation work
If we had to cancel your appointment for any of the above work to your home because of restrictions, we’ll be in touch to reschedule a convenient date for you. You do not need to contact us.
Note: Service levels may change at short notice if numbers of staff self-isolating increase. If this happens, we will prioritise the most urgent service needs.
Offices and buildings
All local office locations and reception services remain closed to the public for drop-in reception services.
This includes:
- Allenton Housing Office
- Stockbrook Street Housing Office
- Sussex Circus Housing Office
Our Stockbrook Street office is open to the public for appointments only.
We may use some of our other buildings where it is necessary for a visit to take place or where a service cannot take place remotely.
If you are asked to come for an appointment, you’ll be given specific instructions on how it will take place and what the safety measures are.
Where possible, you should still get in touch with us through non-contact ways, such as email, online or by calling us. Most services still have arrangements in place to reduce the need for face-to-face contact.
Grounds maintenance and communal cleaning
These services are running as normal.
These services are running as normal.
We have increased cleaning in some higher risk areas such as the council's 'Category Two' sheltered schemes, Parkland View,Rose Homes,
We have also increased cleaning in all our Community Rooms and each has a supply of sprays, wipes and hand sanitiser for users.
Our cleaners also take extra care to clean all touch points, such as door handles, in all buildings they visit.
You should be mindful of the risks that are still present in all communal areas. We recommend that you wear a face covering and practice social distancing whilst in communal areas and thoroughly wash your hands each time you return home.
Cleaning communal areas will improve the overall appearance but will offer little protection from the virus. Signage regarding handwashing and social distancing is in place in all blocks of flats as a reminder.
Allocation of properties and homeless services
The Derby Homefinder website is open and registered users are able to bid on properties as normal. There are no restrictions on being able to move home.
Mutual Exchanges
Mutual Exchanges can take place as normal.
Signing-up for a new tenancy
Sign-ups will be carried out in person and will be adapted to keep risks low. These should take about 45 mins at our Stockbrook Street Office. You will be given specific instructions on your visit and what safety measures are in place.
Homeless services
These services are running as normal, with specific safety measures in place at Milestone House.
If you are homeless or at risk of losing your home, phone us on 01332 888777 (option 5) to speak with one of our team.
Payment of rent and service charges
Non-contact payment methods are the safest. These include:
- direct debit
-
standing order
- online
- telephone payments
If you are concerned about paying your rent or service charges because of a reduced income, please contact our Income Team on 01332 888777 (option 3) who will be able to advise you on any help that is available.
Our Money Advice Team provide free, confidential and independent advice around budgeting, money and debt problems. You can contact them on 01332 643394 (option 2) or by emailing [email protected] in new tab.
If you need advice on benefits, contact the Welfare Rights Team on 01332 643394 (option 3).
Council services and support
Read about current local and national guidance or restrictions, impacts on Council services, local testing and support for residents and businesses at: www.derby.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid19