We are

NORTHSTAR

Also

New DirectionsAlex gets his dream job thanks to help from our fab New Directions Team.

Our fantastic extra care scheme in Stockton celebrates its 10th Anniversary.

ASPEN GARDENS TURNS 10!

Transformation in Teesdale We’re helping people remain independent by transforming their homes.

Despite all of the challenges facing housing, North Star continues to drive forward its ambitions... Our vision of creating homes, building futures has never been more purposeful. As well as building much needed rented housing, we are investing in services and properties to ensure every part of the business grows and strengthens. We constantly listen to your feedback and whilst we do not always get it right, we work hard at resolving problems. The recent issues with our heating and servicing contractor Liberty have much improved under tight supervision and management by the North Star team – this will remain in place. We apologise to tenants who have not received the high level of service expected.

We have recently partnered with even more organisations across the region to help deliver high quality training and employment services

to tenants, and provide a range of support to help you manage your money should you need it. Our fantastic ‘New Directions’ team have been working with young people to help them access training and employment opportunities, draft CVs, support them with interview preparation and also provide small amounts of funding where necessary. So far, the team have engaged with over 60 young people, and made a real difference to their lives.

Tenants have continued to work closely with us to improve services and save money! They are an invaluable part of North Star and we would encourage even more of you to get involved.

As always, we would love to hear your feedback, so please get in touch and share your views.

CONTENTS

INTRO

Angela LockwoodChief Executive

3INTROWelcome from Chief Executive, Angela Lockwood

14-16MONEY MATTERSUseful tips on how to manage your money

17-23OUR SERVICESUp-to-date info on the services available to you

24GET IN TOUCH Details on how you can contact North Star

4-5NEW FOR YOUWhat’s new at North Star?

6-10NEWSAll the latest news from North Star and our partners

11-13GET INVOLVEDAll of the latest info on how you can get involved with North Star

2 3

LOOKING FOR A FRESH START?

The Community Investment Team can help!

We can:• Support your job search

• Pay for training• Pay for qualifications• Pay for new clothes

• Help with CVs• Provide in-work support• Assist with applications

• Support your interview techniques• Help find the right career for you

And much, much more…

This service is open to all of our tenants and your family members. If you’re unemployed, looking to change career or simply find more hours, then our service

can help you!

For more info contact our Community Investment Officer, Peter.

Peter.Locke@northstarhg.co.uk 01642 796217

NEW FOR YOU

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WORK

NEED A HELPING HAND

TO GET ONLINE?

Have you ever thought about starting a small business or working for yourself?

We’re working with a company called Fresh Start who have designed a fantastic training package to help you become self-employed with accredited business training, advice and guidance, and support from their expert Enterprise Advisors. Best of all, it won’t cost you a penny!

As long as you are aged 25+, currently unemployed and live within the Tees Valley then you could be eligible for support.

For more information you can call Fresh Start directly on 01642 610610. You can also find out more by visiting www.peopleplus.co.uk

?North Star can help you get more out of your computer, tablet or smartphone, even if you’re a complete novice.

All in the comfort of your own home.

A trained North Star volunteer will work with you 1-2-1 to show you how to access the digital world.

We can help you to:• Set up and use email• Shop online• Contact relatives and friends• Reduce household bills…and much more

To find out more or book an appointment contact: Peter Locke 01642 796 217

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The couple’s world was turned upside down after a shock multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Dave and Sandra Greenland, from Gainford, had settled into retired life in Bulgaria. Mrs Greenland, 54, had previously visited a hospital in Bulgaria and was treated for a slipped disc. On returning to the UK to visit family, they discovered that she was suffering from the degenerative condition MS.

The adaptations have worked towards helping Mrs Greenland, of Teesdale, regain her independence and confidence, as well as providing a safe and secure environment for her to live.

Mr Greenland said: “We didn’t have a home in England, and it seemed like it would be impossible to get one that would be suitable for Sandra’s needs. We were so grateful when two properties came up with North Star in Teesdale. We couldn’t have imagined the support, hard work and sheer dedication of Alex and the rest of the team in helping us transform the property into a home where we can stay and that’s specially designed to meet Sandra’s needs. It’s just marvellous.

They helped us every step of the way, allowing us to get the work done in the first place and then providing advice and support throughout the whole thing. It’s our home now, and it’s everything we could ask for to make sure Sandra remains living at home. We got new paths to get level access, extended the bathroom into one of the bedrooms to make it more accessible for my wife and we’ve now got a lift so Sandra can move around the house more easily.”We can provide a range of aids to support you in and around your home, including handrails, special taps, over-bath showers, level access showers and stair lifts. We also work closely with Social Services who may be able to provide grant funding for adaptations in your home.

To find out more about adaptations to your home get in touch.

03000 11 00 11 customer.services@northstarhg.co.uk www.northstarhg.co.uk

We’re helping young people across the North East find jobs through our New Directions Youth Employment Initiative.

New Directions is a European funded project designed to support young people aged 15-29 years into employment, education and training. The team offer support with CV building, interview preparation and provide funding where necessary.

Alex Cummins, 21, from Darlington, was struggling to find employment and had almost lost hope until he met with North Star’s Youth Employment team.

Alex said: “ I had been looking to get into work for a while and not had any luck, but I met with North Star at a job search session at the Evolution Centre in Darlington and they helped me apply for a few jobs there. I was lucky enough to get an interview after that, but I had never had one before and was really worried about it.

The staff are fantastic; really supportive and understanding of everything. They treated me as an individual; I wasn’t just a number or anything to them. I really mattered and they did everything they could to help me. They coached me to get me ready for my interview and they even provided funding so I could get some interview clothes. I can’t thank them enough because without them I don’t think I would have had the confidence and the skills to get any job, never mind my dream job. I love working with computers and I will be inputting data and working for a leading technology company. The job is perfect for me!”

Alex secured work with Capita, a leading provider of business process management, and will be working in the Pensions department as an Administrator.

If you’d like more info on how our New Directions team could help you, please get in touch with Leigh or Coral using the contact details below:

Leigh Stobbs

07720095923 Leigh.Stobbs@northstarhg.co.uk

Coral Smith

07501682560 Coral.Smith@northstarhg.co.uk

NEWS

OUR NEW DIRECTIONS TEAM HELP YOUNG PEOPLE SECURE DREAM JOBS

TRANSFORMATION IN TEESDALEWe have helped transform a three bedroom property into an accessible two bed home for Mr Greenland and his wife, who suffers from MS.

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As a North Star tenant, you have unique access to our 24/7 support and reassurance service, whenever you need us!

HomeCall helps over 5,000 people live independently in their own home. Through the touch of a button, we make sure you get the right response to any emergency situation.

To find out more about the HomeCall service simply call us on 01642 771339.

enquiries@homecall.me www.homecall.me

Connect with us

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171041 Home Call Advert A4 AW.PDF 1 28/04/2017 12:48

Opened in April 2007, Aspen Gardens offers residents the opportunity to live independently within their own home, whilst having the support and care facilities they may need to access, on-site, 24 hours a day.

Geoff Barnet, 66, a retired Joiner, was the first resident to move into our extra care development in Hardwick, back in 2007. “I’m very proud to call Aspen my home! I feel very safe here and I have made some lovely friends who I spend a lot of time with. We sometimes play dominoes and listen to music. I can’t quite believe it’s been ten years already, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”Allison Alderton, Team Manager of Older Persons’ Services at North Star said: “Aspen Gardens brought a vital type of housing to Stockton, and ten years on it’s incredible to see the positive difference we have made to peoples’ lives.

Living at Aspen Gardens doesn’t just give people independence and reassurance, it gives people an extended family – there’s a real community

here and the residents get involved in all sorts of social activities together. We have both residents and staff that have been with us since the day we opened, which just shows that Aspen is a fantastic place to both live and work. We hope to be able to continue to deliver such vital housing across the North East for the next ten years and beyond.”Joan Collins, 66, recently moved into the extra care scheme and it has given her a new lease of life. “I absolutely love living at Aspen. When I lived at another place I often didn’t want to get out of bed as there wasn’t anything to get up for. But here, it’s totally different, I have made great friends and we get together regularly to listen to music and play games. It’s great because we have a bistro as well, I really enjoy the meals from there and all of the staff are so friendly and helpful.”

NEWS

ASPEN GARDENS

Our fantastic extra care scheme,

Aspen Gardens in Stockton, celebrates

10th Anniversary.

CELEBRATING

10TH ANNIVERSARY

8

We’re building futures at Evenwood Primary School with help from the Foundation of Light.

For the past two years, we have been providing funding for a project which has allowed Foundation of Light to inspire pupils from Evenwood Church of England Primary School and their families through a range of sports and education programmes.

In 2015, the school and North Star identified the need to have a male role model to work alongside the all-female staff. This male role model would deliver PE and Family Learning courses which would enhance Evenwood’s curriculum.

Through the Foundation a male coach was placed in the school delivering a Family Learning through Football Fitness programme which saw over 30 adults and children register on the course, offering activities designed to educate participants around the benefits of exercise while improving relationships within the family.

Promotion of equality and diversity were introduced in the sessions, alongside Functional skills, ICT skills, Numeracy and Literacy to help inspire the learners to achieve.

Sport and Play (PE) sessions were planned with the school and aimed to develop the children’s technical, physical, social and psychological needs in sports such as football, netball, handball and cricket.

Evenwood CofE Primary School Head Teacher, Helen Sutherland said: “We are extremely grateful to North Star Housing and the Foundation of Light for the support offered to our children and families.

There have been many positive outcomes from this, including improved engagement with our school from families, a positive male role model for our pupils, and increased confidence from children and family members who attended the family learning with them. We already have a lot of interest from other families who are keen to join the next programme.”The partnership with the Foundation of Light is part of North Star’s Building Better Futures programme. So far, the programme has helped 30 people gain employment, helped 30 people into volunteering work and provided 83 people with training to help them into employment.

A fantastic 1,091 people have benefited from Community Investment activity in the last year and for every £1 spent £22.71 was returned in social value.

If you’d like more information on how you can benefit from our Community Investment work contact Peter.

Peter Locke

01642 796217 Peter.Locke@northstarhg.co.uk

DURHAM FAMILIES REACH FOR THE STARS

NEWS GET INVOLVED

WIN £100 WORTH OF VOUCHERS

get online!

The LINK Panel are working with North Star to help improve our digital services; getting more people involved and interacting with us online.

If you opt in to use our online services you could be in with the chance to win a £100 voucher.

All you need to do is leave a review for North Star on either Google or Facebook, and send an email to media@northstarhg.co.uk with your postcode and the word YES. You’ll sign

up to receive your news online, and be in with the chance of winning a £100 voucher.

/northstarhg @northstarhg northstar_hg northstarhg.co.uk

TENANT ADVISORSMystery shoppers needed!

You can help us check that North Star’s services are up to standard by getting involved with mystery shopping, visiting properties, interviewing staff and tenants or helping

North Star decide which contractors they should be using. It’s super easy to get involved as a Tenant Advisor and you can be involved as much or as little as you like at times that suit you. If you’d like to get involved in any of North Star’s activities please contact Beth.

Beth Danby

01642 796324 residentinvolvement@northstarhg.co.uk.

www.northstarhg.co.uk/influence-our-services

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Phil has been involved with the Darlington Housing Association (DHA) Steering Group from the very start and his dedication, ability to always go the extra mile and approach to working with North Star show he’s a worthy winner of the ‘Inspirational tenant award’.

Phil puts his all into every task he’s involved in and is always willing to go over and above. DHA is now part of the North Star Housing Group and Phil was actively involved throughout the process, demonstrating a strong commitment to working together to make a difference.

Inspirational tenant

Barbara is an excellent Secretary for the Norton Grange Co-op and despite being involved in a range of other community activities, Barbara gives her all to the Norton Co-op. Barbara is described as the “saviour of the Norton Co-op” by her peers and she brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to the group.

Barbara is also heavily involved with a local ‘Grandparents Group’, which does some fantastic work arranging trips and activities for children living with their grandparents. Barbara is truly an inspiration to those around her and fully deserving of the ‘Inspirational tenant award’.

How can I be involved?There are a variety of different ways in which you can get involved. We have a range of groups and activities you can take part in. Take a look at what our currently involved tenants have been up to…

Tenants Voice Scrutiny Panel

We’ve been busy reviewing some of North Star’s services. The latest one was their Aids and Adaptations process. We presented our findings to the North Star Board in April this year. We suggested a number of changes that would help benefit many tenants and are pleased to report that these have been listened to, and more

Barbara Pallister

In 2016, some of our fantastic tenants were recognised for their brilliant achievements.

Outstanding contribution to North Star

Jen’s dedication to the organisation is admirable and it’s easy to see how she won the award for ‘Outstanding contribution to North Star’.

Jen has been actively involved with North Star from the very beginning and has achieved a great deal. Jen has been on the Norton Housing co-operative for 20 years, since it was set up, and has contributed to building community cohesion and increasing engagement across Norton Grange.

We think it’s essential to involve our tenants and communities in the work that we do. We want you to help shape and improve our services, and by getting involved you have the chance to really make a difference.

Jen Laws

Phillip Shaw

What will I get by being involved?

• The opportunity to develop new skills• Improved employability• Meeting new people and making

new friends• The chance to make your voice heard• Free trips to conferences, training

and events• The chance to get to know us better

and meet North Star staff• The opportunity to influence

our services

Jen has contributed so much of her time and energy, not only to North Star, but to help support local communities and people. Jen supported her husband, who was also very heavily involved with North Star for many years, together helping make some significant changes to improve services for all tenants. Unfortunately, Don had to reduce his involvement due to ill health and sadly passed away. His commitment and hard work is still fondly remembered by co-op members today and the work both Don and Jen have done for North Star was fundamental in developing and building our approach to involving tenants.

Jen has decided it is now time for her to take a step back from some of her involvement activity, and she more than deserves to be recognised for all of the hard work and commitment she has demonstrated in improving both the company and the tenant experience.

We want to take this opportunity to thank Jen for everything she has done!

Inspirational tenant

importantly will be acted on. You can see the results below:

Tenants Recommendation

North Star’s Response

North Star staff to have appropriate training with regards to Aids & Adaptations enquiries.

Agreed - All frontline staff will be updated on the Adaptations procedure. Additional training and scripts will be provided to the Customer Services Team.

Information about Aids and Adaptations to be included in the North Star Tenant Magazine.

Agreed.

The Aids and Adaptations guide and Self-Assessment Form on the website need to be made into a leaflet, or a printed version made available for tenants who do not have access to the internet.

Agreed - We will produce an information leaflet on Aids and Adaptations. This will be included as an article in the tenant’s magazine and will be made available on the website. The leaflet will be printable and can be distributed to tenants when needed.

North Star’s Aids and Adaptations policy needs to be reviewed and updated.

Agreed - We will update the policy to reflect these comments including ensuring the website reflects the details of the amended policy. We will review our procedures to ensure we can monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

CONGRATS…

LINK

We work with North Star to help improve services for all tenants. Take a look at what we’ve been up to recently:

North Star were reviewing their development specification and we got the chance to put forward our views on what should be included. This included looking at things like parking, new home user guides, white goods and flooring.

We’ve also been involved in:

• Promoting the HomeCall Independent Living Service

• Tenant magazine• Using social media• The North Star website• A new tenant portal• Complaints procedure• Budget update

We meet once a month, between 11am and 2.30pm.

But don’t worry if you can’t make the meetings, you can still be involved in exactly the same projects. Sign up to LINK Online from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.northstarhg.co.uk to sign up today!

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MONEY MATTERS

Who does this affect?

If you signed a new or renewed tenancy agreement after 1st April 2016, the amount of Housing Benefit (or housing element of Universal Credit) that you receive from 1st April 2019 could be restricted. This is because the Government has announced the amount of Housing Benefit you receive after this date will be capped to the rate

that applies to private sector tenants. This is called the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate.

LHA rates shown below are the 2016/17 weekly rates applied to rents within Tees Valley and Durham and are for comparison purposes only.

Tees Valley Durham

Shared Rate £57.34 £65.00

1 bedroom £83.78 £74.79

2 bedroom £97.81 £86.30

3 bedroom £114.00 £97.81

4 bedroom £149.59 £138.08

ILLEGAL MONEY LENDINGLoan sharks are illegal money lenders who often charge very high interest rates on loans. Illegal money lending is a criminal offence and often they:

• Offer no paperwork such as any agreements or record of your payments

• Increase the amount you owe or add extra amounts to it

• Charge very high interest rates• Refuse to give you information on interest rates

or how much you owe• May use threats or violence

The National Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Team investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders. The teams are made up of special investigators and victim support officers.

If you have borrowed money from a loan shark, you can talk in private to the Illegal Money Lending Team about your options. You can also report a loan shark to the team without giving your name.

You can contact the team by emailing reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk or calling their 24 hour service on 0300 555 2222.

Say goodbye to the pay day lenders…

And say hello to

Our new partnership with the Prince Bishops Community Bank gives you access to a safe home for your savings, and low interest personal loans.

Read what a Prince Bishops Community Bank customer has to say…

Managing Money Better

Do you live in County Durham? Do you want free advice to help you save money on your energy bills?

Then get in touch with the Managing Money Better team. An Energy Advice Worker can advise how to get the best energy tariff, help to write off fuel debts and provide general advice on saving energy and reducing energy bills.

Get in touch:

03000 268000 warmhomes@durham.gov.uk

“I was in desperate trouble, I had 12 payday and doorstep lender loans, and a Brighthouse loan on top of that. I was paying £900 a month in total for all these loans and I had next to nothing left from my salary at the end of each month. I was barely scraping by. I contacted Prince Bishops Community Bank and couldn’t believe the amount of support I received. They had a good look at my finances and were able to pay off these high interest loans by taking one manageable loan out with the community bank. They brought my payments down to £480 per month. I can live so much better now, I’m able to meet all my payments and they stopped me having to take out loans with ridiculously high interest rates.”

£

CHANGES TO HOUSING BENEFIT

Under 35 and tenancy started after April 2016

If you are single and under 35 years of age with no dependent children living with you, your Housing Benefit will be capped to the shared rate, even if you do not share your home with anyone else. Your Housing Benefit may no longer cover all of your rent. If your tenancy began before 1st April 2016, this does not apply to you as your Housing Benefit entitlement is protected unless

you move to a new tenancy or have a change of circumstances.

What do I need to do?

If this applies to you, now or in the future, you need to consider how you will pay the difference. If you are worried about these changes and would like further information, please contact your Housing Officer.

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SAVE MONEY WITH OUR WELFARE BENEFITS OFFICER

What is this Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a single benefit that will replace several existing benefits, rolling them all into one single monthly payment.

Am I affected?

Only if you claim: • Jobseekers Allowance • Employment & Support Allowance • Income Support• Child Tax Credit • Working Tax Credit • Housing Benefits

When does it start to come into place?

It already applies to all single people in England and Wales and is being gradually introduced for couples and families too. By early next year, it will apply to everyone making new claims for benefit across the North of England.

In 2016/17 our fantastic Welfare Benefits Officer, Andrea Peacock, helped tenants save over £362,000.

Andrea worked with over 351 households across the North East and attended nearly 460 appointments with tenants to help with budgeting, benefits queries and offer advice on how people can get the most out of their income. Mr and Mrs Turnbull received support from our Welfare Benefits Officer, Andrea, and strongly recommend getting in touch with North Star if you need any help managing your money. Mr Turnbull said: “Andrea helped us with so many things: our rent, disability allowances and even opened our eyes to money that we never

even knew we were entitled to. She was so understanding and sympathetic – she spent real time with us to sort everything out. She also came out to see us, which was great. If we could give a gold medal to anyone it would be to Andrea. We couldn’t recommend getting in touch with her enough.”If you need any support to manage your money, get in touch with Andrea today.

01642 796237 Andrea.Peacock@northstarhg.co.uk

MONEY MATTERS

Our flats at Manor Grove in Cockfield, over in Teesdale, are undergoing some major refurbishment work, helping to give them a new lease of life.

The block of 24 two-storey terraced flats was built in 1957 and is getting a makeover consisting of new alternating grey and white windows, Juliette balconies, new kitchens and bathrooms, as well as improved access to footpaths and gardens.

We want our tenants to be proud of where they live, and we recognised that significant work needed to be done at the flats in Manor Grove to achieve this.

The Wall family have three generations living in the Manor Grove flats and they’re very pleased with the outcomes.

MANOR GROVE GETS A MAKEOVER

OUR SERVICES

Work is due to be completed by July 2017 and will aim to provide tenants with a modern, vibrant and comfortable place to live.

What does it all mean?

The main benefits for people of working age are being replaced by one single benefit.

To get this benefit you have to agree to a Claimant Commitment. You have to manage this benefit claim yourself, online. It will be paid monthly, directly to the bank account of one member of the household. It includes your Housing Benefit, meaning that this is no longer automatically paid to your landlord. You will have to start paying your rent regularly yourself or you may lose your home.

Where do I go for more information?

The Money Advice Service is a really good source of information and you can order free booklets on:• Universal Credit explained • Who is affected by Universal Credit? • Get ready for Universal Credit • Choosing a bank account

Visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/universal-credit

Ted Pickering, a tenant at Manor Grove, said:

“I couldn’t be happier with the work that’s been done so far. It’s making such a massive difference for me, and I know it will to others. We’ve got a brand new heating system which is great – it’s so much warmer but it’s also saving me money. And it all just looks fantastic, with the new kitchens and bathrooms. Now we’ve got great views inside and out!”

Peter Wall said:

“We’ve got new doors, a brand new kitchen and the whole place just looks stunning. We’ve got some cracking views here and now we have the buildings to match. They’ve done a great job; we’re really chuffed with how it’s turned out.”

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WHAT’S GOING ON WITH REPAIRS?

We’d like to thank you for all your recent and very valuable feedback. It’s helping us improve and it works towards ensuring that you get the

high quality services you deserve.

We are working very closely with Liberty Gas to improve our heating repairs service and

we’re pleased to share that we have seen improvements to this already. Take a look below.

MONTHLY PERFORMANCE

REPORT APRIL 2017

Average time to complete a repair in April was only 2.8 days

which beats our target of 3.5 days!Gas services completed before expiry 100%

Tenant satisfaction 95.8%

We are continuing to work closely with Liberty on an operational and strategic level to ensure all performance is at the standard

we expect for our tenants.

If you have any feedback on our repairs service then please get in touch.

03000 11 00 11

customer.services@northstarhg.co.uk

www.northstarhg.co.uk/contact-us

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NEED A HAND?If you need a bit of extra help around the home with those odd jobs, we can offer a helping hand!

We’re working with Four Housing to provide a Handyperson service to carry out small jobs (that take up to two hours) inside and outside your home!

You’ll need to be over 60 or living in a household where an occupant has a disability to qualify for this free service.

Get in touch… 03000 11 00 11

customer.services@northstarhg.co.uk

www.northstarhg.co.uk

Write: Handyperson Service, Endeavour House, St Marks Court, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6QN

We aim to deliver a high level of service, but sometimes we don’t always get it right. During the same time period, we received 82

complaints. We examine each complaint individually so that we can learn from it and improve our services.

All of your feedback is extremely valuable to us and we encourage you to get in touch with any comments, compliments and

complaints you have. We have lots of ways you can get in touch to let us know how we’re doing.

03000 11 00 11 customer.services@northstarhg.co.uk

www.northstarhg.co.uk/contact-us

OUR SERVICES

Between 1st January and 31st March 2017 you gave us 42 positive comments. Take a look at what

people had to say…

“Good to know someone actually cares.”

“Parkfield, many thanks for your continued and daily support. This has been invaluable.”

“Thanks for prompt service received today.”

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What jobs can the Handyperson help me with?

• Replacing light bulbs• Trimming and fixing carpets• Replacing toilet seats• Moving pieces of furniture• Putting shelves up• Putting curtain rails and curtains up• Fitting telephone extension leads

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OUR SERVICES

Here are some useful tips

Make sure that:

• Hot water in the system remains hot• Cold water is kept cold• The water is kept circulated• Your outside taps are used frequently

It is important that you –

DO NOT interfere with the setting on your boiler or hot water system. The hot water should be set so that the water is heated up to 60°C.

Tell North Star if:

• The cold water is still running warm after you have initially run off any water which may have collected in the pipes. The temperature should not exceed 20°C..

• There are any problems, debris or discolouration in the water.

• The boiler or hot water tanks are not working properly, particularly if the water is not coming out of the taps at a sufficiently high temperature. Water should come out at a temperature of 50°C after it has run for a minute at the most (unless a thermostatic mixing valve has been fitted).

Where the showers are fitted –

• If they are only used occasionally then flush them through by running them for at least two minutes every week. Keep out of the way whilst this is being done as far as possible.

• Clean the shower head periodically, descale and disinfect it. This should be done at least every six months.

Where a property is left vacant for any time, e.g. it has been left empty or over the summer holidays, make sure that as soon as it is occupied again both hot and cold water systems are flushed through by running all outlets for at least two minutes.

STAY SAFE AND SOUND…

with our guidance on water safetyDomestic hot and cold water systems can provide an environment

where harmful bacteria can grow. This can cause Legionnaires’ disease which is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella bacteria.

You have an important part to play in taking

these simple and practical precautions to ensure

water safety in your home.

!

IS YOUR HOME INSURED?

We make it easy for you to insure your belongings under a special household contents insurance scheme. The

insurance is arranged with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc and is only available to North Star tenants.

Many customers believe that North Star automatically insure their furniture, belongings and decorations against fire, theft, vandalism or

water damage, such as burst pipes. But this is not the case!

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Insure you home now.

To find out more information, and apply, visit our website and download the Household contents insurance leaflet.

http://www.northstarhg.co.uk/your-home/your-tenancy/insurance/

Or call 03456 718 172

2322

North Star North Star brings together the skills, resources and values of Endeavour,

Teesdale and Darlington Housing Associations.

We are a strong organisation with a clear vision of what we want to achieve for the people who live in our region – creating homes, building futures.

GET IN TOUCH 03000 11 00 11

customer.services@northstarhg.co.uk

www.northstarhg.co.uk

@northstarhg

/NorthStarHG

Visit / Write:

Endeavour House, St Marks Court, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6QN

14a Redwell Court, Harmire Enterprise Park, Harmire Road, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8BN

Collaboration Flexibility Integrity Professionalism Ambition