News
For up to the minute news from ELHA, please visit our Facebook page.
Lockdown Update!
09/04/2021
A quick update on changes now that lockdown restrictions are due to ease.
These Homes Update
18/03/2021
Our last ever Homehunt property listing went up in early March, and we’re preparing for the launch of These Homes on 22 March.
Direct Debits and the "Rent Freeze" - Some Still Change!
18/03/2021
As the introduction of new and increased Key Tenant Rent Discounts means an effective “Rent Freeze” for all paper-free tenants, we’ve been doing a lot checking and rechecking whose Direct Debit will change.
Planned Maintenance 2021-22
18/03/2021
We normally publish the new financial year’s planned maintenance calendar around this time of year. Due to Lockdown restrictions, what we can and can’t do is liable to change from month to month.
NHS Inform
18/03/2021
NHS Inform is Scotland's national health information service. Their aim is to provide the people in Scotland with accurate and relevant information to help you make informed decisions about your own health and the health of the people you care for.
Money & Home Energy Advice Service
18/03/2021
Anne is available for both money and home energy advice. While home visits aren’t an option (yet), she is still able to help over the phone and by providing information and advice by e-mail or post.
Right to Repair and Alternative Contractors
18/03/2021
The Right to Repair Scheme ensures that Housing Association tenants receive a good repair service for important repairs. Repairs which fall under Right to Repair must be completed within a set response time.
These Homes – Go Live Date
03/03/2021
We are really excited to be working in partnership with a number of landlords from around Scotland to deliver a new Digital Lettings Service – These Homes which will replace the Homehunt system we currently use to allocate and relet our properties.
Allocations Policy Consultation
03/03/2021
The review of our Allocations Policy, and the switch to These Homes has been an ongoing project since 2019. We carried out two consultations with tenants and applicants – one in 2019 and another in 2020.
Captain Discount Says, "Thank You for Taking Part!"
11/02/2021
We had a record-breaking response to this year’s rent increase consultation. 379 of you responded by the deadline, that’s 28.5% of our tenants, beating last year’s record of 24.4%!
Fraud Prevention
11/02/2021
If we make a major change to our services, we will always write to you to let you know. If you are paper free, you will either receive a PDF letter attached to an e-mail or a branded newsletter-style update.
Social Security Scotland Update for Parents
11/02/2021
A quick update on new benefits for parent from Social Security Scotland
Housing Stock Survey
11/02/2021
Over the next month, representatives from Jones Lang LaSalle, a firm of surveyors, will be inspecting some of our properties as part of a routine valuation exercise.
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
11/02/2021
Well, the 2021 rent increase consultation definitely made January interesting! We’re really pleased that most tenants who took part visited the new consultation area.
A Virtual Meeting, Viewing and Sign Up!
11/02/2021
Our allocation process usually involves a home visit with the potential applicant. But that poses problems at the moment...
Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane? Is it…. a Rent Freeze?
12/01/2021
If you haven’t already taken part in this year’s Rent Increase Consultation, why not? Captain Discount is bringing something very different to the usual Inflation +1% increase we’re all used to.
These Homes – Coming Soon
12/01/2021
We are really excited to announce that we are working in partnership with another six Landlords from around Scotland to deliver a new online Digital Lettings Service – These Homes which will replace the Homehunt system
Get Involved from Home
12/01/2021
If you’re looking for something new to do during lockdown, why not get involved in some of our projects? There’s a lot you can do from home.
New Staff
12/01/2021
Welcome to Eric Stoddart, our new Executive Support Officer. Eric has worked in Banking & Financial Services for many years, specialising recently in Change Management & Business Improvement
Social Media
12/01/2021
Our Customer Information Officer, Mary Hargreaves, has completed a Professional Diploma in Social Media for Government & Public Sector, and graduated (virtually) just before the festive break.
Closure Dates & Repair Service
22/12/2020
We will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 23rd December 2020 until Level 4 restrictions are lifted. R3 will still be available for urgent and emergency repairs on 03000 999 247.
Housing Officer Areas
22/12/2020
Michelle Cassidy will be rejoining us from January, see the new split of areas to see who will be your Housing officer.
Check Your E-mail!
22/12/2020
If you are paper-free, please make sure you check your e-mails at least once per week.
If You Pay Your Rent By Phone…
22/12/2020
... remember that our offices will be closed and make alternate arrangements for paying your rent.
What's This...?
22/12/2020
We're about to do something different. keep your eyes peeled for this year's rent increase consultation - it's going to be different (in a good way).
Your Account is Changing (except it’s not really)
30/11/2020
As you know, our My Home service is a one-stop shop for all your tenancy management needs, and you seem to like it – My Home and elha.com typically have between seven and eight thousand visits per month.
New Fire Alarm Regulations
30/11/2020
Although the deadline for getting all Scottish homes up to the new fire alarm standards is likely to be extended to 2022, we already have this well in hand.
Our Performance
30/11/2020
The Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) has now published it’s 2019-20 findings, and you can view our Landlord Performance Report on the SHR website.
Our (online) Annual General Meeting
30/11/2020
This year’s SGM and AGM were certainly different and hopefully a one off. This was held using Microsoft Teams, and although we were unable to meet face to face it was nice to see familiar faces in a virtual setting.
Did You see an ID Badge?
30/11/2020
We’re not visiting many of our tenants at the moment, but we would like to remind you to always check ID badges before allowing anyone into your home.
A Warm Winter Message from Anne!
17/11/2020
Hi, in case we’ve not met before, I’m Anne. I’m here to help you stay warm this winter. I’ve collected together some news, some tips, and some links to help you prepare for winter. After all, it’s 2020 – anything could happen!
How I’ve Helped Tenants Like You
17/11/2020
You don’t need to be in difficulty to ask for help – every £ saved in energy bills is a £ to spend on something more fun – that’s something everyone can appreciate. Here’s how I’ve helped so far…
Stay Up to Date
17/11/2020
If you’re not already following us on Facebook, please do – we’re always updating it with information on Warm Home Discounts, green energy promotions, extra funding for low income households, special offers and more.
Winter Fuel Payment
17/11/2020
If you were born on or before 5 October 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
17/11/2020
The Government runs a grant program in partnership with many of the energy companies called the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The Scheme can provide £140 towards the cost of your electricity.
Top Energy Tips
17/11/2020
Here's a few helpful tips for staying warm this winter, while keeping your bills low.
We’re Extending Our Assistance Scheme
28/10/2020
Although we have been a supporter of many aspects of Welfare Reform and the introduction of UC, the "five week wait" has always been an exception to this.
Clocks, Timers and Energy Advice
28/10/2020
The clocks went back - did your timers? And are you worried about heating your home this winter?
Garden Competition Winners!
28/10/2020
We asked you to send in photos of your gardens, baskets or pots for our virtual garden competition and were delighted to receive over a dozen entries – we loved seeing what you’ve done with your gardens.
Welcome, Ian Riding, Our New Housing Officer
28/10/2020
We have a new Housing Officer, currently covering Haddington properties.
Home Contents Insurance
28/10/2020
Just a quick reminder that we can provide information on home contents insurance designed for social housing tenants.
What is Scottish Housing Day?
15/09/2020
Scottish Housing Day is about celebrating the impact that housing makes to the lives of people and communities across Scotland, as well as communicating to people about their housing options.
It's Scottish Housing Day
15/09/2020
This year’s Scottish Housing Day theme is the value of social housing. So we’ve had a chat with some of our tenants and staff on what they think is great about social housing. What would you add?
More New Builds
15/09/2020
The first phase of our new builds at Wildflower Crescent in Ormiston have now been allocated, and we’re getting handover on Scottish Housing Day (barring unforeseen events, of course).
Celebrating Digital Communication
15/09/2020
Scottish Housing Day is celebrating social housing this year, and what makes ELHA stand out, is our commitment to digital services.
Home Energy Advice – New Service
01/09/2020
Our Money Adviser, Anne Rattray, has completed a City & Guilds in Home Energy Awareness meaning she can now give advice to help tenants with their energy bills.
New Homes!
01/09/2020
We’re happy to be able to say that our new home building programmes are moving once again.
Send Us Your Garden (photos)! Win Shopping Vouchers!
01/09/2020
We didn’t get to see your gardens blooming this year, so we’re running an online gardening competition instead.
New Tenant Participation Strategy Leaflet
01/09/2020
We recently updated our Tenant Participation Strategy leaflet.
Job Start Payment
01/09/2020
A new benefit from Social Security Scotland to support young people living in Scotland into work opened for applications on Monday 17 August.
Tenant Voice Scotland
01/09/2020
The Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Scotland have created Tenant Voice Scotland to enable all tenants to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions
Open letter from the Minister for local Government, Housing and Planning to social housing tenants in Scotland
08/07/2020
The Minister for Local Government, Kevin Stewart, has written an open letter to all our tenants.
When We Visit You
07/07/2020
A short video on safety measures we have in place to protect you and our staff during home visits
Anne to the Rescue!
29/06/2020
Our Money Adviser, Anne Rattray, has been inundated with requests for help since lockdown started, and has been quietly working away, making things easier for our tenants.
Social Distancing
29/06/2020
Social Distancing is hard, and understandably some may be starting to relax a little, but please respect other people’s decision to remain safe.
Bins!
29/06/2020
Ah, it wouldn’t be a newsletter without an article on bins, would it? But did you know that recycling may save you money.
Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst!
29/06/2020
No one likes to think about getting older, but everyone should prepare for it to make sure their next of kin aren’t left with having to sort out a messy tenancy end when their loved ones pass on.
Top Secret: TIG-Web Wants You (Shopping Vouchers Available!)
29/06/2020
Are you familiar with internet banking? Do you have an iPhone? If so, we’re looking for a few volunteers to be the first in the UK to test some exciting new digital services we’re working on with a well-known company.
Coronavirus Update
19/05/2020
We hope this latest e-news finds you and your families well. It has been a challenging month for everyone, both staff and tenants have had to make adjustments to "the new normal".
Rents & Money Advice
19/05/2020
Thanks to all of you that paid your rent in April - this helps us ensure we can help our tenants who are genuinely struggling to pay their rent at the moment.
Wellbeing Checks
19/05/2020
Our staff are currently checking in by phone with tenants with vulnerabilities or who live alone, to make sure everyone is okay.
Repairs & Maintenance
19/05/2020
Planned maintenance is still on hold, and we are only attending urgent and emergency repairs.
Allocations & New Builds
19/05/2020
We continue to follow Government guidance in this area, but we will still inspect and renovate any empty homes we have ready for relet.
Performance 365
19/05/2020
For those of you who like to keep an eye on how we're doing, our annual performance figures are now up on Performance 365.
Community Resilience
19/05/2020
East Lothian can be very proud of its people - local residents have volunteered in huge numbers to join Community Resilience Teams.
Tenant Satisfaction Survey Results
19/05/2020
First of all, we're sorry it's taken so long to publish these figures - we've had them for a while and did intend to publish them in our quarterly printed newsletter last month, but events overtook us a little!
Settled Status
27/02/2020
Following Brexit, there will be a transition period for EEA nationals until 31 December 2020.
Thank you!
27/02/2020
We are thrilled that over 300 of our tenants chose to take part in this year's Rent Increase Consultation - that's almost a quarter of all tenants!
Best Start Foods
24/02/2020
UK Government Healthy Start vouchers are stopping for families in Scotland at the end of March 2020.
The LIFT Scheme
31/01/2020
If you are a local authority or housing association tenant, you could be eligible for funding of up to 40% towards the cost of a home through the Scottish Government's LIFT scheme.
Changes to the Tenancy Agreement
01/05/2019
Some of the Housing (Scotland) Act changes to your Tenancy Agreement have now been applied.
