Plus winter repair tips to keep you warm
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Disrepair claim farming |
You may have come across companies who advertise their services to help with housing complaints or disrepair claims. A disrepair claim is when a tenant takes legal action against their landlord for reasons including failure to fix repairs in a reasonable timeframe, or not completing them at all. These claim management companies often promise successful outcomes but may charge high fees or take a share of any compensation you receive.
If you’re renting with Selwood Housing and thinking about using one of these companies, please be careful. Check the Financial Conduct Authority website to make sure the company is regulated and approved. The FCA also publishes information about firms that are not regulated, so you can avoid them.
If you have a complaint regarding Selwood Housing, please come to us first. We will offer free and impartial support to help you resolve it. We follow the Housing Ombudsman complaint handling code and use each complaint to form a learning outcome to improve our services.
You can find our complaints process on our website, which details how to complain, the stages of a complaint and frequently asked questions. You can also contact us via our customer support team on 01225 715 715. |
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Reporting damp and mould | Awaab’s Law came into effect on 27 October which means social landlords now have strict timescales to respond to emergency repairs and significant damp and mould.
We have always taken damp and mould seriously and acted quickly to resolve issues. Our specialist damp and mould team work proactively to identify and fix underlying causes of damp, prevent future problems and offer advice to customers.
If you have an issue with damp, mould or condensation in your rented home, report it to us as soon as possible. Reporting small problems early can stop them from developing into bigger problems.
You can report damp and mould by calling us on 01225 715 715 or using our online request a repair form. Please take photos of the problem ready to share with us, including a close-up and a wider shot showing the full wall, ceiling or floor and any other affected areas. This will help us assess the situation so we can provide you with the right service. |
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Review on planned programmes |
In March 2025, our board of directors approved the customer scrutiny team’s seven recommendations which focused on how we communicate with our customers to inform them of planned improvements to their homes. Our head of programme delivery, Nathan Anscombe, has updated the management action plan with their changes. Click below to read the action plan.
To find out more, you can call us on 01225 715715 and ask for the customer involvement team. |
| Read the action plan
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Stronger communities fund survey |
We’re keen to understand how aware our communities are of the funding opportunities offered by Selwood Housing. These funds are designed to support local charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations working to make a difference. Your feedback will help us reach more groups and strengthen our support across the region.
Please take a moment to complete this short survey by clicking on the button below.
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| Complete the survey
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Discover how we're making a difference
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| With a strong local presence and deep-rooted connections to our communities, we’re committed to listening to our customers and continuously improving the services we provide.
We believe that affordable, safe, and secure homes offer a vital foundation for people to thrive—and that strong ESG reporting plays a key role in meeting our responsibilities. For this reason, we're proud to share our latest environmental, social and governance report.
For over 30 years, we’ve seen first-hand the impact a stable home can have, and we remain dedicated to making a meaningful difference. |
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Warm homes discount | If you receive certain means-tested benefits, you could get a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill this winter.
Eligible benefits include housing benefit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, pension credit, and universal credit.
If an eligible person was named on the electricity bill by 24 August 2025, the discount will be applied automatically, so there is no need to apply. Find out more here. |
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Winter repairs | With a change of season, colder weather is on its way! Now is a good time to think about home repairs and maintenance to help you stay safe and warm over the coming months.
There are plenty of useful posts and videos on our website to help you do just that! Some of the most popular include setting heating and hot water controls and clearing gutters. You’ll also find tips about keeping your boiler running and a video of how to re-pressure your heating system. |
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16 days of action against domestic violence |
The 16 days of action against domestic violence is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and taking action to end domestic violence and gender-based abuse. The 16 days begin on November 25, the international day for the elimination of violence against women, and ends on December 10, international human rights day.
Domestic abuse affects women, men and children. It can happen in any relationship within the home and family. Domestic abuse is not only violence, but can also take the form of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, and also encompasses psychological, sexual, financial and emotional abuse.
At Selwood Housing, our neighbourhoods team will make every effort to support customers who are experiencing domestic abuse. We can make referrals to specialist agencies and we have partnered with local councils to ensure a united response to domestic violence.
If you are suffering, or know someone who is, you can find more information on our website. Remember, always call 999 if it's an emergency or you are in immediate danger. |
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CEO resignation
| I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that after 20 years at Selwood Housing, I have taken the decision to resign from my current role as chief executive.
I am immensely proud of the services that Selwood Housing provide, the homes we build and maintain and the difference we make in our local communities.
My decision is purely a personal one. As family life changes, it feels like the right time to make a change.
I won’t be leaving until the of end of May 2026, however I wanted our customers to be aware before we start the recruitment process.
This decision won’t impact any of Selwood Housing’s services – it is still very much ‘business as usual’.
I will update you again in the new year, once we know who the new incoming chief executive will be. |
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Barry Hughes
Group chief executiveSelwood Housing |  |
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