Welcome to our latest service update on topics that could be affecting customers

Sovereign.

May 2026                                                  DORSET AND NEARBY AREAS

Close-up of ivory hydrangea shrubs against a blue background

SNG Service update

Welcome to what's new in Dorset and beyond

This local Service Update brings you the latest information for customers living in Dorset and the surrounding areas. It highlights the services available to you, along with local news and updates. You’ll find some figures on how we’re completing repairs and dealing with complaints in your area, plus the support we gave to Dorset customers in the Greathouse Lane area during recent concerns about anti-social behaviour, housing issues and suspected criminal activity.

Map showing Dorset and the surrounding areas SNG operate in
Service updates
Latest news
Listening to your views
Information and support
Going green

Service updates

Family having a group hug whilst baby twins play with their parents

Renters' Rights Act explained


Changes under the Renters’ Rights Act bring stronger protections for renters, clearer expectations for landlords, and improvements around fairness, safety and security in rented homes. The changes affect different types of tenants at different times. To understand how it may affect your tenancy, and what support is available, visit our Renters’ Rights Act webpage.

Good progress against the consumer standards

In May 2025, the Regulator of Social Housing gave us a C2 grading against the new Consumer Standard. While many services are performing well, we know there's more to do and have an action plan to achieve this, which we discuss quarterly with the Regulator. We're working towards a C1 rating by focusing on three key areas: improving repairs, enhancing complaints handling, and embedding our new customer engagement model. 

  • Repairs - As we explained in the last edition, we're continuing to focus on carrying out more repairs more quickly, with emergency repairs remaining high and a slight decrease in other repairs over the quarter (see Dorset figures below).
  • Complaints - Key complaint issues include delays to repairs, communication and quality of work. While we're not where we want to be yet, we're making progress and expect to see complaints reduce as our services improve over the year.
  • Customer engagement - Activities includes regional roadshows; the Engage platform; and making real improvements shaped by Customer Influence Panel and Scrutiny Panel feedback.

Complaints

Complaints at stage 1 and stage 2 across SNG

Emergency repairs

97% of emergency repairs completed within 24 hours in Dorset

Non-emergency repairs

91% non-emergency repairs carried out within 42 calendar days across Dorset

Our commitment to safe, supportive neighbourhoods


Our Neighbourhoods Customer Promise focuses on creating safe, well‑kept communities where customers feel heard, supported, and proud to live - through strong relationships, clean environments, and responsive service. Read more about how we're delivering on this promise and what it means for you.

Young child smiles and paints at the table whilst their parents enjoy a cup of tea together in the background

News and safety

A customer stands holding their newborn baby with a prosthetic leg

Emergency evacuation planning help us keep you safe


If you live in a flat and someone in your household may find it difficult to leave in the event of a fire - for example, due to a disability or temporary mobility issue - please let us know. We can carry out a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment, talk through any recommendations, and, where appropriate, create a Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (rPEEP). This support is available for households with mobility or health needs, older residents, or young children. Any information you share will be handled securely and shared with the Fire and Rescue Service to help keep you safe.


Please update your details through your online customer account, or email the Building Safety Team at Vulnerabilities@sng.org.uk.

Help improve our online accessibility


We want everyone to be able to use our digital services easily.. We’ve already improved our websites with clearer links and headings, more accessible forms and documents, and better image descriptions. We’re also continuing to improve access by testing our services and converting PDFs to web pages where possible. We’d really value your feedback via our accessibility survey on what else we should prioritise.

An individual with a double amputation holds out their phone whilst smiling

Listening to your views and acting on them

Image shows someone using an electric drill to fix a window

How your feedback is improving services in Dorset


Visit our ‘You said, we did’ page to see how your feedback turns into real action. Discover the positive changes we’re making in your neighbourhood - shaped by ideas, feedback and support from customers like you.

Recent activity includes how SNG introduced additional pop-up food larder sites in Dorset through partnerships with SOFEA and FareShare Southern Central after customer requests. Operating weekly from community venues, these volunteer-led services improve local access to food support, offering £15–£20 worth of groceries per visit.

What's new on Engage - help shape services in Dorset


Shape better services by sharing your thoughts in our survey about what’s important to customers in Dorset. (Plus other surveys and monthly sustainability challenges - with prizes!)

Register and get involved today.

Family smile and spend time together on the sofa

Information and support on things that matter

Two children run around in their back garden chasing bubbles

Protect the things that turn a house into a home


We take care of the building you live in, but protecting your personal belongings is down to you. We’ve recently seen several accidental fires in SNG homes, which is a reminder of how important it is to be covered. Home contents insurance helps protect the items that matter most - from furniture and electricals to clothes and valuables - and may be more affordable than you think.

Explore your options on our website.

Save money on everyday spending and towards your rent


Our partnership with Housing Perks gives you discounts at your favourite stores, save on the essentials, and put your savings straight towards your rent or service charges. Join over 700 of our customers already enjoying the benefits. Download the app and start saving today.

Someone pays for something using their phone whilst the store assistant holds the payment device
A parent sits at the table on their laptop whilst a young child sits on their lap eating breakfast

Find what you need, when you need it


Our website brings together helpful advice and support on repairs (including video guides), money worries and debt, fire safety, and concerns such as antisocial behaviour, domestic abuse and mental wellbeing

Going green

Love gardening? Enter this year's In Bloom competition


Our In Bloom gardening competition is now open to all customers, with support from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and award-winning gardener and guest judge The Beardy Gardener. We also have small grants available to help customers start their gardening journey and take part in the competition.

Apply for the competition and/or fund by Tuesday 30 June 2026!

In Bloom 2025 winner tends to vegetables whilst a young girl helps
Image shows two plug in solar panels on the roof of a development

Thinking about plug-in solar? Read this first


We’ve had some questions about plug‑in (“plug‑and‑play”) solar panels. At present, we can’t approve these systems in our homes due to potential electrical safety risks, including interference with important protection devices and compatibility with existing wiring. We’ll keep this under review as guidance develops.

To find out more, please visit our website.

 
This message was sent to using NewZapp. Follow this link to .
POWERED BY
NewZapp Communications