Issue 02 From your landlord Cheshire West and Chester Council
Winter 2025
Council housing services are coming back in-house but everything you rely on will stay the same. From 1st April 2026, the management of Council homes in Cheshire West and Chester will be brought back in-house. This means housing services will be delivered directly by Cheshire West and Chester Council, instead of ForHousing.
A DECISION SHAPED BY TENANTS In our consultation last year, around 75% of tenants and leaseholders told us they wanted their homes to be managed directly by the Council rather than by an external organisation. This strong feedback played a big part in the Council’s decision to bring services in-house rather than commission a new provider after ForHousing indicated that they are unable to continue managing the Council’s homes beyond March 2026. This shows how powerful tenant voices are.
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT ME? We know how important it is to feel secure in your home. That’s why the key message is simple: the way your housing is managed day to day will stay exactly the same. You do not need to take any action.
Cllr Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning and Chair of the Council Housing Management Board said: Tenants and Leaseholders have told us they want the Council to deliver housing services directly. We want everyone to feel confident that their rights and day-to-day arrangements will stay the same.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH You should continue to contact ForHousing about repairs exactly the same way until 31st March 2026. Visit www.forhousing.co.uk/cheshirewestandchester/ how-to-contact-us for more information. We will be in touch closer to the time with details of the new arrangements for how to contact the Council from 1 April 2026.
• Your housing officer will remain the same. • The way you pay your rent is not changing.
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• How your rent is calculated will stay the same. • Your tenancy rights remain the same.
• Repairs will continue to be delivered by Liberty
Independent Tenant Advice An independent advice service is available to all tenants via the Tenant Participation Advice Service - TPAS. TPAS are a national body representing tenants and are independent from the Council. They can offer free confidential support to help you understand what the changes mean for you. Freephone on 0800 731 1619.
NEWSLETTER
The Council and ForHousing are working closely together to make sure the handover of services is smooth and that you continue to receive the same support you do now.
BECOME A RESIDENT CHAMPION
Cheshire West & Chester Council’s Housing Management Board
YOUR VOICE MATTERS! In September, Cheshire West and Chester Council Housing Management Board officially launched the Councils Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy, setting out our commitment to working more closely with you. We are now looking for Resident Champions – tenants and leaseholders who want to make a positive difference in their community by sharing information, listening to neighbours, and help shape services. As a Resident Champion, you’ll: • Play an active role in improving the services that matter to you • Share feedback from your community • Ensure your neighbourhoods voice is heard Resident Champions receive an annual £100 voucher provided they take part in at least four activities over the year. It’s a great way to get involved and make a positive impact where you live. Interested? Email involvement@forhousing.co.uk to find out more.
Together, we can strengthen tenant and leaseholder voices and shape the future of our housing services
STOCK CONDITION SURVEYS Helping us plan for the future MLCS3, on behalf of ForHousing and the Council, are making great progress on stock condition surveys – 78% are already complete! These surveys help plan future improvements and keep homes safe and comfortable. They don’t set dates for future work, but they help us understand the condition of key parts of your home, including kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, and heating systems. They also help identify potential concerns such as damp and mould, trip hazards, extreme temperatures, and structural issues, so we can address them early. The survey takes around 30 minutes and includes a quick check of the key parts of your home, photos, and room measurements. You’ll receive a letter with your appointment details. If the time isn’t suitable, please contact MLCS3 to rearrange. All surveyors carry ID - if unsure, call ForHousing on 0300 123 5522 for verification to check. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep homes safe and well maintained.
STAYING FIRE SAFE IN WINTER
It’s important to know how to keep your home fire safe. There are things you can do prevent and stop potential fires from happening in your home especially when using different types of heating methods. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4iOvSVb
Thinking of refreshing your skills… The Skills and Employment Service (previously called Work Zones) offer a wide range of opportunities for residents within the Borough – from information, advice and guidance to supported employment services and skills and employment hubs. Most services and training courses are for adults aged 19 and over. Some are available to those aged 16 and over. To find out more, please visit https://bit.ly/47QDhhN
What happens when you report
Do you live in a
block of flats? We want you and your neighbours to feel safe in your homes, and to respect each other’s spaces. We understand at times living in flats with shared areas can be challenging. To respect your neighbours and keep each other safe we ask that you please: • Make sure doors are closed when you enter or leave • Do not buzz your neighbours on the intercom to be let in • Avoid propping open doors • Keep areas outside your home clear, this includes shoes, prams or ornaments • If you see something suspicious, report it • Take rubbish outside straight away and make sure bags go in the bin, and the lid remains closed Report anti-social behaviour online at www.forhousing.co.uk/ cheshirewestandchester/ how-to-contact-us/
anti-social behaviour? Report anti-social behaviour • Call 0300 123 5522 • Complete an online form at www.forhousing.co.uk/ contact-us
ForHousing will receive your report
ForHousing will agree an action plan and investigate
ForHousing will implement our action plan and provide support
999 In an emergency call the police
ForHousing will aim to resolve your case
We’re introducing a new Communal Area Management Policy, which will come into effect in 2026. This policy is part of the Council’s commitment to making your building a safer and more comfortable place to live.
To find out more about anti-social behaviour and to report it, visit www.forhousing.co.uk/ cheshirewestandchester/keeping-you-safeanti-social-behaviour/
Inspiring change together…
ENERGY SAVING TIPS We understand it can be difficult to keep your home warm in winter. ForHousing have put together some tips on heat-proofing your home, winter fire safety and what you can do when your heating fails to work. For more winter tips and advice, visit the ForHousing website here https://bit.ly/3OC6mUR
AWAAB’S LAW
WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU On 27 October 2025, Awaab’s Law was launched in U.K. The new law makes sure social landlords act quickly on damp, mould, and other emergency hazards. These changes are designed to make sure that no tenant lives in unsafe conditions and that landlords act with transparency and with care to keep you safe. At ForHousing, they are already meeting these standards. If you spot damp or mould, the quickest way to report it is through the ForHousing Repairs Reporter on their website or call the Customer Connect Hub on 0300 123 5522. Already reported it? You don’t need to do anything else – they will keep you updated and make sure the problem is fixed properly.
A platform to share with you what the Council and your community are doing to help you through the cost-of-living crisis. You can share your stories, find out about the various support available to you and sign up to the Cost-of-Living Support e-newsletter to keep you updated.
LOAN SHARKS!!!!
You may feel the need to borrow some money for Christmas to help you get through to your next payday, but it’s important that you always borrow from a genuine certified lender and avoid loan sharks. Borrowing money from loan sharks can be extremely dangerous. If you borrow money from a loan shark, you could be at risk of paying far more interest than you would through any legal borrowing. You can find genuine support in your local area. www.forhousing.co.uk/cheshirewestandchester/ affordable-credit/
Reporting fly tipping Speak to your neighbours to see if the items are theirs and are being collected, if not then...
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NEWSLETTER To learn more about Awaab’s Law and how ForHousing are keeping homes safe, visit www.forhousing.co.uk/cheshirewestandchester
Like our page
Complete an online form to report it or use the MyAccount+ app, if the rubbish is on Council land
Or you can report it to Cheshire West and Chester Council.
For more information, visit www.forhousing.co.uk/ cheshirewestandchester/bins-waste-and-recycling/
ForHousing Cheshire West and Chester