Council launches new number for tenants to report repairs (From Thurrock Gazette)

Council launches new number for tenants to report repairs

11:37am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News

THURROCK Council has launched a new freephone number for residents and leaseholders to report housing repairs requests.

The new number went live on Monday and can be used to report all repairs, whether they are urgent or not.

The service, which is manned 24 hours a day seven days a week, was created after the council was told by residents that a more efficient and cost effective way to report repairs was needed.

Cllr Val Morris-Cook, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Thurrock Council said: "I am confident that this new Freephone service will give more security and assurance to our residents and this resource goes hand in hand with a number of other changes we are currently considering to raise the quality and standard of our service”.

"Responses to our recent consultation on the Corringham and Purfleet offices show that our residents are open to new solutions to access services.

“This could be community hubs, home visits by housing officers to elderly and vulnerable tenants, web based portals for tenants, many of whom do have online access.

“We will also be holding open and targeted surgeries and drop-in sessions for tenants and residents and increasing our presence on estates.

“Leaflets on services and online access are available at both the Corringham and Stanford libraries.”

“We already provide a dedicated telephone service for rent enquires.

“PayPoints have been introduced across the borough which has significantly increased the number of sites where rent can be paid. The council will be implementing the option to pay rent by direct debit later this year.”

The Gazette reported recently how the council’s housing repairs contractor, Morrison, had come in for strong criticism by residents in South Ockendon, after more than 70 people signed a petition saying they didn’t want the company working in their home The new number to call is 0800 074 0169.