South Tyneside Homes

Changes to Your Choice

We have made some changes to Your Choice, our Choice Based Lettings system used to allocate the council's homes to applicants who have registered for rehousing.

The new Your Choice policy will help to ensure we have as much information as possible about applicants.

Find out more about these changes and the revised policy in full:

> Revised Choice Based Lettings Policy
> Press release

Responsive Repairs and Maintenance Policy

We now have an updated Responsive Repairs and Maintenance Policy which will help us to ensure that our service to our you is clear and consistent.

Our updated policy is customer focussed and has been developed with tenants because we know how important our repairs service is to you.

The policy will help us to ensure that we operate an efficient and effective responsive repairs and maintenance services, as we seek to maintain your home to the highest possible standard.

Dealing with debt

Have you been approached by a loan shark recently?

Lending money without a licence is illegal. If you suspect someone is a loan shark, you can report them by calling 0300 555 2222 or by texting 'loan shark' to 60003.

To find out more please read the Stop Loan Sharks webpage on DirectGov's website

Free adult learning courses

Did you know, you could be benefitting from FREE adult learning courses?

From confidence building and developing job skills, through to digital photography and family gardening, Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle run a range of courses that could make a real impact on your day-to-day lifeS.

Courses are open to residents of South Tyneside aged over 19 years and as the provision is government funded through South Tyneside Council ACL, those in receipt of a benefit may be entitled to the course for free.

To discuss available courses or to book a place please call Alex at Groundwork on 0191 428 1144 or for more information visit:

http://www.groundwork-stan.org.uk

Are you having problems paying your rent?

If you are having problems paying your rent, there is help available to you.

The Income Team can often agree a payment plan with you straight away to help make sure that you don't get into more debt.

Please call 0191 423 4000 as soon as possible to speak to one of our advisors who will be happy to help.