The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is causing a considerable amount of uncertainty and concern for the public. We want to assure you that the health and wellbeing of our customers and staff is our utmost priority at this time.

Please continue to follow government advice, and stay indoors whenever possible.

The details in this letter are correct at the time of writing, but as you will understand, this is a rapidly-changing situation. If you have a friend or family member with internet access, they should visit barnethomes.org for the latest information.

Support

If you, a family member, friend, or close member of your community are in need of urgent help that is not medical-related (people who are extremely vulnerable, need support to remain safe at home or have no other means of receiving support), please contact Barnet Council’s support helpline on 0808 8281 3210. The line is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Repairs

Until Tuesday 5 May we will be providing an emergency repairs service and urgent repairs service only. Emergency repairs include those which affect the security of your property, total loss of electricity, gas or water, total loss of heating, serious water leaks that cannot be contained, blocked toilets or any leaks involving foul waste. We will also respond urgently to any reports of gas leaks or carbon monoxide alarms. We will prioritise repairs for our most vulnerable customers where their repair problem is having an adverse impact on them. If you are calling to report a repair that is not an emergency, please call back after Tuesday 5 May. 

If you have an emergency repair, please call our Customer Contact Team as usual on 020 8080 6587. We will ask you questions around your current status regarding self-isolation, which will inform our approach to delivering your repair.

Your rent

Barnet Homes will do everything we can to support our tenants who find it difficult to pay their rent as a result of Coronavirus. If you have any concerns about your ability to pay your rent, please call us on 020 8359 3102.

During this pandemic, we will not evict any residents from their homes. We will also provide support regarding benefits and income maximisation, but we encourage you to continue to prioritise your rent payments.

Paying your rent

If you have access to online/telephone banking, you can set up a bank standing order or make payments by bank transfer. If you would like to pay by bank standing order or bank transfer, you will need our bank details. These are as follows:

Sort code: 60-23-36 – Account number: 82622833

You can pay by using the automated telephone payment line on 0845 356 3456 (select option 2 for housing rent). This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also pay online at barnet.gov.uk or at barnethomes.org. For these payment methods, you will need to quote your nine-digit rent account number when making payment.

If you are unable to pay your rent using any of the above methods and would like to discuss other ways to pay your rent, please contact Sonia George on 020 8359 4484.

Financial support

If you are struggling financially, there are some benefits you may be able to apply for. These include pension credit, to top up a low income, housing benefit, to support you with rent costs, council tax support if you are struggling to afford your council tax, or attendance allowance if you need help with poor mobility or other disability.

There are also some discretionary funds you may be able to get if you have historic or ongoing financial problems. You can apply for a crisis loan which can help pay for a one-off item in an emergency, a discretionary housing payment if you have rent arrears, or council tax discretionary relief if you have council tax debts.

If you would like any advice on these from a benefit adviser, please call the Welfare Reform Taskforce on 020 8359 2442 or email boost@barnet.gov.uk.