Welcome to Ellie!

We're delighted to welcome Ellie to MB Housing as our new Junior Property Manager.

Having recently completed her degree in Psychology and Criminology, Ellie has joined the team and will be your first point of contact when you call us. She'll be assisting with reporting repairs, helping to manage rent arrears, and providing support to ensure tenant-members receive a prompt and helpful service.

Please join us in giving Ellie a very warm welcome to the MB Housing team!

A fond farewell to Tate

At the same time, we’re saying goodbye to Tate who many of you may have spoken to. We’d like to thank him for all his hard work and everything he’s contributed to MB Housing, and we wish him all the very best for the future.

Office closure – Wednesday 19 August

Please note that the MB Housing office will be closed on Wednesday 19 August while our team attends a staff training day. During this time, the office will not be available for routine enquiries. However, our emergency service will remain in operation, and emergency calls only will be responded to.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding as we invest in training to continue providing the best possible service.

Welcome to Dennetts Housing Co-operative

We're delighted to welcome Dennetts Housing Co-operative to the MB Housing family.

From 1 July, MB Housing became the managing agent for Dennetts in New Cross, and we look forward to working closely with the co-operative's committee and tenant-members. Our team will be providing housing management and support services, helping to ensure residents receive a responsive, reliable service while supporting the co-operative to thrive.

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to everyone at Dennetts and look forward to getting to know you over the coming months. Whether you're reporting a repair, making an enquiry, or getting involved in your co-operative, our team is here to help.

Welcome to MB Housing!

House Exchange is closing

If you're registered with House Exchange to look for a mutual home swap, please be aware that the service will close at the end of July.

House Exchange, which is run by Clarion, has been the only mutual exchange service that allowed tenants of housing co-operatives to swap homes with tenants in other co-operatives. We're disappointed to see it close.

If you currently use House Exchange, you should:

• login and save any messages or details of potential swaps before the service closes.
• make a note of anyone you were considering exchanging with.
• contact Clarion as soon as possible if you're in the process of arranging a swap and need assistance.

The Confederation of Co-operative Housing, the UK apex body for housing co-ops, is exploring alternative options for a new co-op-to-co-op home swap service. We'll keep you updated as soon as we have any news.

Stay safe this summer

Summer is a great time to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather. To help everyone stay safe and comfortable, here are a few friendly reminders for all tenant-members.

Fire safety: BBQs are not permitted in communal areas or on balconies as they pose a serious fire risk. If you have your own private garden, you can enjoy a BBQ responsibly and please let your neighbours know. If you don't have outdoor space, check your local council's website for parks with designated BBQ areas.

Stay safe in the sun: Try to avoid spending long periods in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing, and remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Water wisely: During dry weather, please use water carefully where you can. Simple steps such as watering plants in the early morning or evening and avoiding unnecessary water use can help conserve this valuable resource.

Keep cool: If your home becomes too warm, consider visiting an air-conditioned public space such as a library or leisure centre to cool down.

Look out for your neighbours: A quick chat, phone call, or knock on the door can make a real difference, particularly for older residents, people with health conditions, or anyone who lives alone. If you're ever concerned that a neighbour is seriously unwell or needs urgent medical assistance, don't hesitate to call 999.

Enjoy the summer holidays – please be considerate

With the school holidays here, it's wonderful to see children making the most of the warmer weather and enjoying time outdoors.

We'd like to ask everyone to be mindful that not all neighbours keep the same hours, and some may be working from home, caring for young children, or simply enjoying a quieter day. Please encourage children to play considerately and keep noise to a reasonable level, particularly during the early morning and later in the evening.

By being thoughtful and respectful of one another, we can all enjoy the summer and help make our co-operatives a pleasant place to live for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding, and doing your part to help keep your co-operative community safe and enjoyable for everyone this summer.

Complaints information available online

Where we provide a complaints service to your co-operative, MB Housing has published the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) Complaint Handling Code Self-Assessment, Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report, and Complaints Policy on your co-operative's page of the MB Housing website.

These documents explain how your co-operative manages complaints, how it is meeting the requirements of the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code, and the improvements being made as a result of feedback from tenant-members.

Making these documents available online helps ensure your co-operative remains open and transparent about its complaints process and demonstrates its commitment to continuously improving services.

If you would like a printed copy of any of these documents, please contact MB Housing and we will be happy to provide one.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures reports now available online

MB Housing has published the latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) Reports on behalf of the housing co-operatives we manage, where this service is provided.

The reports share feedback from tenant-members on key areas such as the quality of homes, repairs, safety, communication, complaints handling, and neighbourhood management. They also include performance information to help you understand how your co-operative is performing.

Publishing these reports is part of our commitment to openness and transparency, ensuring tenant-members have access to information about the services they receive from their co-operative and the improvements being made.

Where we provide this service, you can find your co-operative's Tenant Satisfaction Measures Report on its page of the MB Housing website.

If you would like a printed copy, please contact MB Housing and we'll be happy to provide one.

Understanding Awaab's Law

You may have heard about Awaab's Law, which introduces new legal requirements for your co-operative landlord to investigate and deal with serious health hazards, including damp and mould, within set timescales. The law is designed to help ensure everyone has a safe and healthy home.

As your housing co-operative's managing agent, MB Housing has put together a simple guide explaining what Awaab's Law means for you as a tenant-member, your rights, and what you can expect if you report a repair or health and safety concern.

How you can help

Your co-operative works best when its tenant-members and the management committee work together.  Early action can prevent small issues from becoming serious health hazards.

You can help by:

• reporting problems as early as possible
• providing access for inspections and repairs
• keeping records of issues and communication
• reporting any worsening conditions promptly

We encourage all tenant-members to read the guide to understand how the new requirements help ensure repairs are dealt with promptly and residents are kept informed throughout the process.

You can read the full article on the MB Housing website.

Fire door inspections – keeping everyone safe

Fire doors play a vital role in protecting you, your family, and your neighbours by helping to slow the spread of fire and smoke in the event of an emergency.

Where MB Housing provides planned maintenance services for your housing co-operative, we'll arrange for annual fire door inspections to be carried out by a qualified specialist. These inspections are a legal requirement and help ensure that fire doors remain in good working order and continue to provide the protection they're designed for.

If your home is due for an inspection, our Maintenance Team will contact you in advance to arrange a convenient appointment. We appreciate your co-operation in providing access, as these important checks help keep everyone in your building safe.

To find out more about why fire door inspections are carried out and what they involve, visit the MB Housing website.

Darent Housing Co-operative in bloom

Members of Darent Housing Co-operative recently came together for a successful Flower Day, celebrating community spirit, gardening, and co-operative living.

The event brought tenant-members together to enjoy flowers, refreshments, and time with neighbours, with a range of free flowers and shrubs available to plant in their communal areas. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up, share gardening ideas, and make the most of the co-operative's shared outdoor spaces.

Flower Day at Darent is just one of the many events organised to bring members together and strengthen the sense of community that makes co-operative living so special. Their next event is a trip to the seaside!

You can read more about the day and see photos on the MB Housing website.

Get involved in your co-operative

One of the great things about living in a housing co-operative is that, as a member, you have the opportunity to help shape your community.

Whether you have a little time or a lot, getting involved is a great way to make a difference. You could join your management committee, help organise community events, share your ideas at members' meetings, or volunteer with projects that improve your neighbourhood.

Being involved is a chance to have your say on the decisions that affect your home, meet your neighbours, learn new skills, and help create a strong, welcoming community for everyone.

Every contribution matters, and you don't need previous experience to get started. If you'd like to become more involved, speak to your committee or contact MB Housing to find out what opportunities are available in your co-operative.

Together, we can continue to build thriving co-operatives where members have a real voice and everyone benefits from working together.

What is a co-operative?

• Did you know you are part of a global movement - one billion members!
• Did you know your housing co-operative is owned by its members.

Find out more about co-operatives in the UK in this great video!