Housing Management

NSH’s housing management service helps tenants with all aspects of their tenancy agreement, from signing up new tenants to tackling anti-social behaviour.

We are committed to providing locally based housing management services through area offices and surgeries to meet the demands of communities.

What services are provided at area offices?

Tenants and leaseholders can get assistance with the following services at their area office:

  • advice and assistance with tackling anti-social behaviour
  • information and advice on transferring to another home or exchanging with another tenant
  • rent collection (Housing Benefit advice is also available, however the Council is responsible for this service via their contractor, Liberata)
  • advice on legal rights and obligations of the tenancy agreement (such as succession rights, right to be consulted, etc)
  • repair reporting (for more information see Repairs and maintenance)

What improvements are planned for the service?

NSH is also looking to improve housing services by:

  • providing funds to spend on environmental works (such as enhancing the tidiness, security and general appearance of local estates by providing new or improved parking schemes and better lighting to paths and estates)
  • carrying out regular, publicised estate inspections with local residents
  • establishing local area agreements with local tenants setting out how we deal with issues such as tidiness of estates
  • seeking to improve upon the customer service standards
  • encouraging feedback on how the housing service is provided
  • reinstating the free of charge decorating and gardening service for elderly and disabled tenants with a total budget of £175,000
  • involving tenants in setting up a mobile handyperson scheme
  • providing a new tenant handbook
  • introducing an induction for new tenants
  • using plain English and provide information in other formats (such as Braille, large type, audio tape and other languages)
  • working in partnership with North Somerset Council to introduce a choice based lettings scheme, in line with Government policy
  • accompanying vulnerable applicants when viewing the home that they have been offered

How is the rent calculated?

The Government has developed a formula for working out the rent levels (called a target rent) for each type of property. The formula states that, in any one year, your rent would not increase by more than the rate of inflation plus 0.5% plus a maximum weekly adjustment of £2 towards the rent target for your home. This formula is used by NSH to calculate target rents.

We will not introduce any new service charges for existing services. We would only consider introducing a new service charge if, after consultation, it was agreed with tenant representatives and related to the introduction of a new service.

How can I pay rent?

Rent can be paid in a number of ways:

  • payment by post
  • cash payments
  • payment at Post Offices
  • Standing Order and Direct Debit
  • payment by phone
  • payment by debit or credit card

Cheques should be made payable to "North Somerset Housing".

In addition, we will also provide facilities for you to pay your rent by direct debit and over the internet.

North Somerset Housing and Alliance & Leicester have joined forces to enable you to pay your rent online. If you hold a debit or credit card from any UK bank you can pay your rent online using the Alliance & Leicester's free BillPay service. Alternatively, call us and we will take your payment over the telephone.

The service is provided by BillPay on behalf of NSH, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service requires you to register with Billpay who will issue you with a username and password.

Details of how to use the service, including registration and security issues as well as making payments, can be found by clicking the BillPay button below.

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If you have difficultly paying your rent, please contact your local Housing office as soon as possible.

Can I rent a garage from NSH?

NSH has garages for rent throughout the area. Please contact your local Housing office for more details.

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