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Coronavirus Customer Updates

Need support?

If you need support, in whatever way, please don’t suffer in silence.

Worried about debt?

Many households are facing additional financial stress due to the impacts of COVID-19 on jobs and livelihoods. It is our firm policy that we will not evict anyone that is experiencing financial hardship due to the current crisis. We ask that you prioritise paying your rent; if you are struggling to do this, please speak to one of our Income Officers as soon as possible. They can answer your questions, help maximise your income and signpost you to sources of support.

If you need help with your energy bills you should speak to your individual supplier in the first instance or you may be able to switch to a better tariff. Visit: https://www.gocompare.com/gas-and-electricity/; https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/ or Energy Comparison | Compare Gas & Electricity | comparethemarket.com for cost comparisons.

There is also government help available, including the Cold Weather Payment, Warm Home Discount Scheme (if you receive certain benefits) and/or the Winter Fuel Payment (if were born before 1954). For details of whether you are eligible and how to apply, please visit: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/heating

We also have our own LYHA Customer Support Fund in place to offer assistance. To find out more, please speak to one of our Neighbourhood or Income Officers

Repairs/Visiting your home

LYHA has worked hard throughout the pandemic to keep all our customers, colleagues and contractors safe and this will continue to be our top priority.

  • The latest Government guidelines allow for work to be carried out in people’s homes and we will prioritise emergency and urgent repairs, safety inspections and servicing. Non-urgent work may need to be deferred until the lockdown is over. If your repair request can wait until the lockdown eases, please consider whether you need to contact us just now.
  • Please be assured all our team members and contractors are following Covid safe procedures. 
  • If you are due a visit from LYHA and have tested positive for COVID, are displaying any symptoms or are self-isolating for any reason, please inform us straight away. 

Finally, one of the most encouraging things to come out of the COVID crisis so far has been communities coming together. Please continue to look out for one another and remember to follow the latest government guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Please look after yourselves and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need to.  We will keep you updated about any further changes and post regular information on this website and on our social media pages.

 

Frequently asked questions

Supporting vulnerable customers

We are doing everything we can to support our older and more vulnerable customers. Our colleagues have been making calls to customers over the last few weeks to find out if they need any additional support. Please make sure that we have your up to date contact details. If you have received a letter from the government advising you to shield, please let us know and remember to register at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

If you have not spoken to a member of our team and are in need of assistance, please contact us: Tel: 0113 278 3335 or Email: info@lyha.co.uk We have also provided links to local support services in each of the areas where we have homes:

Leeds

Barnsley

North Yorkshire 

Useful contacts and guidance

Repairs and Improvements

We are continuing to carry out all repairs (unless you ask us not to do so at the present time). If we need to enter your home to carry out a repair, we will contact you in advance of the appointment to carry out a short questionnaire and ensure that all measures are taken to prevent any contact with members of your household.  We will also wear protective equipment and wipe down/disinfect any areas we have been in contact with.

You can continue to report repair in the usual ways: Tel: 0113 278 3335, Email: repairs@lyha.co.uk or via our customer portal: https://mylyha.lyha.co.uk/

 

 

Health and safety checks

We are continuing to carry out essential safety checks/works on our properties to keep our customers safe, such as gas servicing, fire alarm testing and smoke detector installation.

If we need to enter your home to carry out essential safety checks/works, we will contact you in advance of the appointment to carry out a short questionnaire and ensure that all measures are taken to prevent any contact with members of your household.  We will also wear protective equipment and wipe down/disinfect any areas we have been in contact with.

 

Estate services (cleaning and gardening)

Our estates team are carrying out gardening (such as grass cutting, clearing bin stores and litter picking external areas) and routine cleaning and regular block inspections (in schemes with shared internal areas) to ensure that all fire alarm systems, smoke vents & emergency lights are working correctly. 

All LYHA team members and contractors are wearing PPE and are maintaining social distancing at all times. Please do the same to ensure everyone stays safe. 

Paying your rent

Even though our offices are currently shut to the public, you can pay your rent in the usual ways: https://www.lyha.co.uk/ways-to-pay-your-rent

We understand that many people have worries about money at the moment. We want you to know that NO Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association customer will lose their home as a result of COVID-19.

If you are having problems paying your rent or service charge (e.g. if you have lost your job, been furloughed or are working reduced hours) please speak to one of our Income Officers, as soon as possible, as they will be able to offer support. Please contact us on Tel: 0113 278 3335 or Email: info@lyha.co.uk

We also have a LYHA Support Fund for customers experiencing financial hardship. Recent help we've given has included supermarket shopping vouchers, purchasing white goods and smart phones/tablets to help people access the internet.

 

Benefits advice

If your income or circumstances have changed it may affect your benefits.
The DWP has issued this guidance for employees, businesses and benefits claimants: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses

- If you currently receive Universal Credit and your income has changed (or you want to make a new claim), please visit the DWP website for advice: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

- If you receive Housing Benefit and your income has changed, you will need to contact your local council benefits team.

- You may be eligible for Council Tax Support – please get in touch with your local council.

You can also contact your LYHA Income Officer on Tel: 0113 278 3335 or info@lyha.co.uk who will be able to signpost you.

 

Energy bills

UK gas and electricity suppliers have agreed to emergency measures to ensure that vulnerable customers, and those who fall into debt during the coronavirus outbreak, remain supplied with energy. This includes customers with pre-paid meters.
To find out more, please visit: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03/help-with-energy-bills-announced-by-uk-government/ or contact your energy supplier:
British Gas - 0333 202 9802
EDF - 0333 200 5100
EON - 0345 052 000
Npower - 0800 073 3000
Scottish Power - 0800 027 0072
SSE - 0345 026 2658

Worried about domestic abuse

Everyone should live without the fear of domestic abuse and during these unprecedented times we will continue to provide support and assistance for those at risk (whether it be from physical, threatening, emotional or controlling behaviour). If you are worried about yourself or a neighbour, please report it immediately by calling 0113 278 335 or complete this incident log: https://www.lyha.co.uk/community-safety-reporting

LYHA takes all kinds of domestic abuse very seriously and has signed up to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s #makeastand campaign.

There are a number of charities that offer advice and support for victims of domestic abuse. This NHS page has further information about who you can contact or visit the Women’s Aid website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/covid-19-coronavirus-safety-advice-for-survivors/

New Lettings

Homes which are currently available will continue to be advertised at: https://www.lyha.co.uk/find-home.  

We are carrying out viewings and we ask that you, as well as our staff, wear PPE when doing this. We can also arrange virtual viewings by video link.
 

Contacting us

Our office is currently closed to the public but our staff are still working. If you want to speak to a member of our team please contact us in the usual way: Tel: 0113 278 3335 or Email: info@lyha.co.uk