Coronavirus: what do the latest national restrictions mean for you and your tenancy with us?

03/11/2020

The government has announced a second national lockdown from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December to help control the spread of coronavirus to protect the NHS and save lives.

We know these are unprecedented and worrying times for us all and our absolute main priority throughout this is your safety and the safety of our staff.

Our services to you

There are no changes to the way we are currently operating and safety measures continue to be in place to protect you, your families and loved ones, and our staff:

Maintenance and repairs

  • The government has confirmed that tradespeople will be allowed to enter homes, provided they follow social distancing guidance, so all maintenance and repairs in your homes will carry on during this second national lockdown.
  • When a member of staff attends your home they will assess if it is safe or appropriate to enter. Please don’t be alarmed or offended if they ask you some questions – this is to ensure we keep everyone safe.
  • We will continue to implement safe working practices using the appropriate PPE and observing social distancing when we visit your home. In turn, we ask you to please respect this, follow any advice we may give you and stay in another room until the work is completed to help keep everybody safe.
  • To help stop the spread of coronavirus you must let us know if you have an appointment booked and you have coronavirus symptoms, or are self isolating or someone in your household is. We will rearrange the appointment for another time.
  • You can report a repair online via MyAccount on our website fcho.co.uk, or email servicecentre@fcho.co.ukor call 0161 393 7117.

Work in your neighbourhoods

  • Our Caretaking and Grounds Maintenance teams will continue to look after your neighbourhoods.
  • Staff have been provided with the necessary equipment and safety advice to ensure they can deliver their services without risk to you or them. Please keep your distance from them if you see them working.

Gas, electrical and fire safety checks

  • Gas, electrical and fire safety checks and actions are still going ahead. We’re implementing safe working practices, and we ask you to follow the advice given by the engineer while they are working in your home.
  • You must let us know if you have an appointment booked and you have coronavirus symptoms or someone in your household does. We will rearrange the appointment for another time.

Paying your rent

  • We know this may be a worrying time for you and while there are no plans by the government to stop or suspend rent being charged, you won’t lose your home due to Covid-19 and we are offering you extra support through this period.
  • Our Customer Services Team can provide you with help and advice about your circumstances and discuss the support options available to you. Call the team on 0161 393 5353.

Finding a home

Contacting us

  • Our Contact Centre remains open - you can call us on 0161 393 7117or email servicecentre@fcho.co.uk.
  • In line with government advice, our offices at First Place continue to be closed to customers and we’re still delivering a reduced face-to-face service.
  • Please be reassured that we are still here to help you and many of our teams are now delivering their services online and by telephone. For information about help with job-hunting or training and how to get advice about benefits, managing money, affordable food and more, visit our news section.

Find out more on the coronavirus: what we’re doing to lower the risk web page

For all the latest information about how coronavirus may affect your tenancy with us, please visit our dedicated web page, or get in touch with our Contact Centre. Email servicecentre@fcho.co.uk or call 0161 393 7117.

For more information on the new national coronavirus restrictions please visit the Oldham Council website or gov.uk.