Hull in print

The advice can may come from private companies who use high-pressure sales tactics after initially getting in touch through cold calling.
"Sometimes tenants are asked to pay money for things that are free from their landlord – for example, Right to Buy application forms," says Gabriel Doherty, spokesperson for HURAT's (the Hull United Residents' and Tenants' association), which has put out the warning.
He added: "Companies sometimes also claim that the Right to Buy scheme is being ended or changed – but the government has said it has no intention of making any further significant changes.
"If you are approached by someone offering to help you buy your council home, get independent advice before making a decision."
To contact HURAT call 01482 331331.

Right to Buy - what you should know

Tenants should be aware that while a Right to Buy application is being processed, Hull City Council has resolved not to carry out general maintenance work, other than work for which it has a statutory obligation.
For example, it has an obligation to keep a property wind-tight and watertight and adequately maintain the services such as heating, sanitary and electrical installations.
Maintenance schemes such as repainting the exterior will not be carried out, nor will any improvement schemes, such as Decent Homes work.

If you need advice about the Right to Buy scheme, contact Hull City Council's specialist Right to Buy team on 300300.

tenant news in brief

Next Garths meeting

The next meeting of the Bransholme Garths Tenants' and Residents' group is January 16, 7pm, at Biggin Hill Primary School, Biggin Avenue. All local residents are welcome to come along and have their say about issues such as rubbish, dogs, and mini-motorbikes.

Tenants' Forum meetings

The next meeting of the Tenants' Forum is January 23,10am-1pm, at the Guildhall.
The Forum is a group of tenants and residents from across the city who are dedicated to improving Hull Housing services.
At the meeting they will hear a special update report from the Rent Recovery Service Improvement Group.
February's meeting will be held on February 22, 1 - 4pm, also at the Guildhall.
For more information or to join the Tenants' Forum, contact 300300 and ask for the Tenant Participation Team.

Sutton Park Residents' Association

Are you interested in what happens in the Sutton Park area?
Attending meetings of the Sutton Park Residents' Association is a good way for residents to express ideas about improvements in the neighbourhood, and to meet other residents.
The association meets on the last Tuesday of each month at St Andrew's Community Centre, Ennerdale, 7pm.
All residents of Sutton Park are welcome.
The next meetings are January 30 and February 27.

Drama AGM

The Dorchester Road and Midmere Avenue Residents' Association is holding its annual general meeting on January 15, 7pm, at Dorchester Primary School, Dorchester Road, Bransholme. All local residents are welcome to attend.

Tenants celebrate after being elected to to the new area housing boards

Power to the People

Thirty-two men and women are making history in the city's housing service

They are the first Hull City Council tenants to be voted onto the city's brand-new Area Housing Boards (AHBs).
Last month, every council tenant and domestic leaseholder in the city was given the chance to vote for fellow tenants to represent them on the AHBs, which will strive to improve local housing services and set priorities for action.
And this month, Hull in print publishes the new tenant representatives' names.
Meanwhile, the man in charge of Hull City Council's 29,000 homes, director of housing John Hocking, said: "This is one of the biggest things to happen in tenant involvement in the city.
"I would like to congratulate everyone who has been successfully elected to the boards - this is just the beginning of a very exciting time ahead for us all."

AHBs – know the facts

There are seven AHBs, one for each committee area.
As well as the tenant representatives, each AHB also includes ward councillors.
The AHBs will now advertise for, and select, 'independent' individuals (who are neither councillors nor council tenants) to also sit on the boards.
The AHBs will hold meetings in public for local tenants and residents.

info

To find out the date and venue of the next AHB meeting in your area, please contact the Area Housing Board Governance Team on 300300.

Area Housing Board Election Results

The names of the new AHB members are:

North Carr Herbert Dockerty Fred Holiday Elizabeth Peck Helen Fitzpatrick Ricky Parker	Park Rita Butler Ken Basford Tony Edwards David Bond John Dennett Doreen Moore	Northern Gabriel Doherty Dennis Woods Alison McKnight Kath Tong Brian Williams	Riverside Helen Brown Brian Iles Dave Fountain Robert Dixon Jillian Lisa Dautaj Zenona Gajewska
East Marion Bricklebank Terry Priestley Jack Ford Dawn Chehreh Wendy Green	West Mark Adjei Nicholas Lamb Betty Munzer Jennifer Lightfoot Tony Matias	Wyke * Due to a low response rate to the initial election campaign, Wyke's AHB membership will be announced separately.


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