We would like to inform all tenant-members that our office will close for the holiday period on Friday, 19 December at 12:00 noon, and will re-open on Monday, 5 January 2026.

During this time, our Out of Hours service will be available for emergency repairs and maintenance issues only. Any non-urgent enquiries will be responded to when the office reopens. Non urgent repairs can be reported online here.

If you need to report an emergency repair or urgent maintenance issue during the closure period, please call 020 3924 2810 and leave a voicemail. A member of our Out of Hours service will return your call as soon as possible.

When leaving a voicemail, please ensure you include:

• your name
• a contact number
• your property address
• a brief description of the issue

Thank you for your co-operation. We wish you a safe and happy festive season!

Being part of a housing co-operative is all about community — and this is the perfect time to celebrate it! Here are some ideas to bring your tenant-member neighbours together and make the season special.

Community activities

• Co-operative Secret Santa – swap small gifts in a fun, budget-friendly way with people in your co-operative.
• Festive potluck – have a get together where everyone brings a dish, and you share a cosy meal with your neighbours.
• Christmas carol walks – meet up for a stroll and sing songs in the streets or communal spaces.
• Decorate shared spaces – get creative with lights, paper chains, and festive art in hallways, lounges or your communal gardens.

Creative and crafty fun

• DIY decorations workshop – make ornaments, wreaths, or cards with your co-operative neighbours using recycled or low-cost materials.
• Cookie and cake decorating – bake together and share with some of your more isolated co-operative tenant-members.
• Festive window displays – compete or collaborate on themed displays for everyone in the co-operative to enjoy.

Low-cost entertainment

• Christmas movie nights – set up a cosy room for festive films with blankets and popcorn and invite the neighbours round.
• Board games and quiz evenings – festive-themed quizzes or classic board games that bring tenant members together. Or, could your co-operative do something online?

Acts of co-operative kindness

• Toy, food, or clothes drives – organise a small collection to support local families in need, this doesn’t necessarily have to be within the co-operative, it could be for your local community.
• Kindness notes or cards – leave cheerful messages for neighbours or in communal areas.
• Neighbourly helping hands – help each other with decorations, small repairs, or festive errands, and don’t forget about some of those tenant-members who might be feeling alone at this time of year.

As twinkly lights go up and the mince pies start disappearing, it’s easy to forget the simple things that keep our homes safe. Here’s a cheerful reminder to help you enjoy the season without any unwanted surprises!

Electrical Safety (Don’t Let Your Lights Sparkle Too Much!)

• Choose Christmas lights with a CE or UKCA mark – the safe kind of sparkle.
• Give your sockets a break: avoid overloading them like Santa’s sleigh.
• Check for frayed wires before decorating—no one wants a rogue reindeer chewing cables.
• Switch off your lights before bed so the only thing glowing at night is your tree, not your fuse box.

Fire Safety

• Keep your real tree watered so it doesn’t turn into a giant dry twig.
• LED candles give a cosy glow without setting your tinsel on fire.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking—mulled wine is lovely, but distracted chefs are not!
• If a pan catches fire, don’t throw water on it. Lid on, heat off, step back like a festive ninja.

Heating & Winter Warmth

• Keep furniture and festive clutter away from heaters.
• Check your carbon monoxide alarm is working if you have gas appliances.
• Keep your home ventilated to prevent condensation and damp.

Around the Home

• Keep hallways clear so you can make a quick getaway if needed—no tripping over scooters or wrapping paper mountains.
• Dispose of packaging sensibly. Yes, the boxes are huge. Yes, you’ll “flatten them later”. Do it anyway.

Report any repairs as soon as you spot them—we’re here to help, even during the Christmas rush. Report online here.

Christmas can be an expensive time of year, and it’s easy for budgets to get stretched with presents, food and festive plans. But it’s important to remember that rent still needs to be paid on time, even during the holiday season.

Here are some simple ideas to enjoy the season while keeping spending under control:

• Set a spending limit and stick to it — even Santa works to a list!
• Try Secret Santa with family or friends instead of buying for everyone.
• Make the most of charity shops, second-hand websites, and local swaps.
• Home-made gifts (baking, crafts, framed photos) are inexpensive and personal.
• Cook meals that rely on budget-friendly ingredients and avoid last-minute shopping.
• Plan travel in advance or share lifts to reduce costs.
• Keep a small emergency pot for unexpected essentials.

Free or low-cost fun ideas:

• Christmas film nights with blankets and hot chocolate
• Walks to see neighbourhood lights
• Festive music playlists instead of pricey nights out
• Free community events or carol services – organise something with your co-op!

But if money is tight, you don’t need to struggle alone – StepChange can help

StepChange Debt Charity provides free, confidential, and impartial debt advice.

They can help you:

• make a realistic budget
• prioritise rent and essential bills
• create a debt management plan (if needed)
• understand your options before arrears build up
• feel more in control of your finances

Many people reach out to StepChange at this time of year — you would not be the only one, and there’s no shame in asking for support.

If you’re worried about rent, bills, or Christmas costs, contact StepChange on 0800 138 1111 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm or go to their website https://www.stepchange.org/.

Don’t struggle at Christmas, there are lots of organisations that can help you.

• NSPCC 0808 800 5000 (Mon – Fri 10-4)
• Childline 0800 1111 (24 hours)
• Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 2000 247 (24 hours)
• Respect Men’s advice line 0808 801 0327 (Mon – Fri 10-5)
• Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141 (24 hours)
• Victim Support 0808 168 9111 (24 hours)
• Samaritans 116 123 (24 hours free)
• Cruse Bereavement 0808 808 1677 (Mon-Fri 9.30-5)
• Young Minds 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri 9.30-4)
• Mind 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri 9-5)