Arrangements during the coronavirus/COVID-19 period
Self-isolation
Please let us know if you are isolating yourself, for instance if you or a member of your household:
- are confirmed to have coronavirus
- suspect you may have it
- have recently been in contact with someone who has the virus
We must check this before sending a contractor to your home, for everyone’s safety.
Contacting ABC
Residents can contact the co-op by:
- phone: 020 7732 9119
- email office@abchousing.co.uk
- letters to the office – but only if necessary. There may be a delay in responding to letters.
Please do leave voicemails if you call the office. We will check phone messages remotely at least twice per week, normally on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have remote access to our email and computer files.
We will minimise contact in person. In the rare case where an in-person meeting may be required, it will be with appropriate distancing and sanitation.
Much of our work is carried out by subgroups of members (rent, maintenance, finance etc), who will meet by video or phone as necessary.
Co-op meetings
General meetings are being held by Zoom video and telephone conference during the period of distancing due to Covid-19.
Please email the office if you want to raise anything.
Office arrangements
Currently our worker is in the office one or two days per week as normal. This may change to remote working, depending on government guidance. We are not admitting visitors to the office, to preserve distancing – please telephone, email or write.
Repairs and contractors
Please report repairs as normal, by phone, email (or write if that is the the best way and the matter is not urgent).
Throughout this period of distancing/lockdown, we are dealing with emergency works, and the legally required annual gas checks, and electrical checks.
Emergency Repairs are classed as anything causing immediate risk to health, safety and security of our residents or causing immediate damage to a property’s structure, fixtures and/or fittings. This is in line with the policies of the landlord associations.
At present we are also able to deal with other repairs, so please report all repairs – we will do other repairs as much as is possible inside government guidance.
Our contractors will act with appropriate protective clothing, distancing and sanitation, to keep everyone safe, and check with you before gaining access.
Planned and cyclical maintenance (eg replacement of kitchens, bathrooms, windows, exterior painting) is done by the housing associations (Hexagon and Optivo) under their own policies.
Rent and finances
Please pay rent as normal. Contact ABC if you are having difficulties.
ABC have a Rent Relief Scheme for tenants facing difficulties due to Covid-19 – contact our office for details.
Sources of help and advice
We can refer you for specialist advice to the Financial Inclusion teams at Hexagon or Optivo.
Two agencies you can go to that provide advice on finances and housing:
- Turn2Us – a national charity providing advice
- The Evelyn190 Centre which serves South-East London
If your income has disappeared or decreased, check what you are entitled to from the benefit system. The government has made the benefit system a bit more supportive, so the answer may have changed from a previous check. ABC have a Rent Relief Scheme for tenants facing difficulties due to Covid-19 – contact our office for details.
Here are links to advice on the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) web site, which we hope will be kept reasonably up to date.
