Blog: Community Conversations

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Your Community

In our Business Strategy 2018-2023, we set out our mission to ‘Build a better future by investing in affordable homes, services and communities’ and make it clear that our customers are at the very heart of what we about, and that the customer voice is central to this.

Our Customer and Community Engagement Strategy 2019-2022 [pdf] 8MB sets out what this means in more detail, and whether you want to contribute and influence our strategic direction as a business, or get involved on a more local level in your own neighbourhood, we hope you’ll join us and make your voice heard. You can find out more about this on our Get Involved page

For more general information, you can click the headings below to find out more about that area of our Community vision - including how we can help tackle anti-social behaviour, what it means to be a "Good Neighbour", and how Platform might be able to help fund a community project in your area.

To get the latest news and updates about community events and projects in our operating areas, you can follow our Communities Team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/platformhgcommunities) and Twitter (@PHGCommunities). This is the best way to stay up to date and gives you the chance to get involved with these activites and conversations as they are happening.

We also have a Communities Podcast, where you can stay up to date with the latest from Platform and find out more about what we're doing and how our Engaged Customers are helping shape Platform Housing Group's future. You can find this below.

Community Podcast

Latest Episode: "Can You Be One Of Our Community Champions?" - 20/08/2020

Have a listen to our latest podcast and find out everything you need to know about becoming a Community Champion. Tap into your passion for your community and channel your neighbourhood know-how!

You can also check out the Platform Housing Group Podcast's previous episodes on Mixcloud

Anti-Social Behaviour

As your landlord, we will:

  • look at ways to help prevent anti-social behaviour
  • take reports of anti-social behaviour seriously
  • take appropriate action against people who continually cause a nuisance to their neighbours

We do not expect to get involved in less serious problems, such as disputes over parking or doors being slammed, until you have talked, or attempted to talk, to your neighbour.

You can report ASB to us using the form on the Contact Us page of this website

So if you are having a problem with a neighbour, talk to them first. Explain exactly what is causing you a problem and why. Most people are reasonable if spoken to calmly and politely, and sometimes they may not be aware they are causing a nuisance.

If you are unable to sort out the problem, please report it to us:

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse includes physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse experienced by people in a relationship. It can affect you, your partner, your children or any other person living in your home.

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 200 0247. This is a 24 hour free and confidential service with translation facilities and a service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

You can also speak to your housing officer or call us on 0333 200 7304.

If you are abusing your partner, and he or she leaves your home because of the abuse, we have the right to apply to the court to evict you.

Harassment

Harassment is the real or perceived interference with a person’s comfort or safety by using intimidation, physical or psychological abuse. This may be verbal, written or by action and can include references to a person’s physical disability, appearance, marital or employment status. It can also include attacks on or damage to property.

Racial harassment is abuse or intimidation because of a person’s ethnic or national origin, race, nationality, colour, religion or belief. Hate crime can also occur because of issues such as a person's disability or their sexual orientation.

If you are experiencing racial harassment or hate crime, you should call the police. Please also report it to us by calling 0333 200 7304.  We will start investigating the problem within 48 hours and will liaise with the police and other agencies.

Where appropriate, we will take legal action. Your safety as a witness is very important so we will offer support to help you feel safer and more confident before, during and after any court case.

Noise Nuisances

As a customer there may be times when you experience noise nuisance and this can take many forms. Noise such as babies crying at night, DIY taking place in daylight hours and normal day to day living noise such as washing machines and tumble dryers are not classed as noise nuisance and will not be treated as such.

Platform are now able to offer the Noise App to assist with noise nuisance cases. This app is intended to aid you in recording noise nuisance so that we can help resolve any noise issues between you and your neighbour(s).

Please ensure before downloading this app that you have contacted us directly and logged a noise complaint with us. It will not be possible for us to accept and review your Noise App submissions until a case has been logged.

You can do this using the ASB form on the Contact Us page on this website. You can also e-mail: info@platformhg.com or telephone 0333 200 7304.

A member of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Team will get in touch with you and they will discuss the nature of the noise and advise whether or not you should download and record the nuisance using the Noise App. They will also let you know whether we will look to pursue the matter or not. Please be aware that if you send us noise recordings from this app and there is no noise nuisance case logged with us we will not look to take any action or listen to the recordings until you have done so.

The Noise App

The Noise App is a quick and easy way to record noise which is causing an annoyance or nuisance. If possible, customers should have an open anti-social behaviour case with us before using the app..

You will need a ‘smart’ phone device to use this app and broadband is recommended so it doesn’t use your mobile data allowance. Just download the app on your smartphone and start recording the noise that is causing the problem straight away.

How it works

Instantly record noise nuisance on your smartphone to create an accurate record of the problem and how it affects you. 

Once you’ve recorded your evidence, you can send it directly to Platform via the Noise App Portal. You can also keep a personal ‘Noise Diary’ in the app, which will help you review your recordings.

The recordings are uploaded directly onto a secure portal that Platform officers can access, and they can make a quick judgement of the noise and what action is necessary. You can make up to 20 recordings each day and each recording lasts for up to 30 seconds.  

Downloading the app

To download the app go to the ‘App Store’ for iPhone users or the ‘Play Store’ for Android users. Search for ‘The Noise App’ and tap ‘Get’ or ‘Install’ to download the app for FREE. For Android devices search “The Noise App RHE” and choose “Install” after selecting the app.

Once you've downloaded the app, follow the steps to create an account and search for 'Platform Housing' when asked for your Investigator / Housing Provider.

Once you've downloaded the app

Once you've created an account, the app is incredibly easy to use. It will guide you through making your first recording and sending it to Platform, but if you need more detailed instructions please download and read The Noise App User Guide [pdf] 199KB or watch The Nosie App Walkthrough Video

If you need any assistance downloading or using the app, please feel free to call us during office hours and a member of our team will be happy to help. 

Key Documents

The Noise App User Guide [pdf] 199KB

The Noise App - Summary Poster [pdf] 627KB

Being a Good Neighbour

Being a good neighbour means being reasonable and tolerant of different people’s views and lifestyles and considering how our behaviour affects others.

There are lots of things we can do to keep our neighbourhoods clean, safe and happy.

  • Respect your neighbours and their property
    Make sure your children and guests are considerate of your neighbours.
  • Park responsibly and considerately
    Most properties do not have specific bays. Park without blocking access to other car users and keep dropped kerbs clear so they can be used by wheelchair users.
  • Don't block stairways or entries
    If you live in a block of flats, don't leave mobility scooters, furniture or rubbish in communal stairways or landings. This can be a fire risk.
  • Put your rubbish in the bins provided
    Keep rubbish in the bin and put your bin out on collection day. If you have bulky items, please contact us for information about how you can get them removed.
  • Be a responsible pet owner
    If you have our permission to keep a pet, clean up any mess and keep your dog under control. Don't let your dog bark or whine for long periods of time. 
  • Only smoke in permitted areas
    Smoking is not allowed in indoor communal areas. If smoking in a permitted area, dispose of cigarette ends safely. 
  • Don't make excessive noise
    We all need to expect occasional noise from our neighbours but try to avoid late night DIY, slamming doors, lots of shouting or loud music.
  • Having a barbecue or party?
    Tell your neighbours first. Your neighbours will be more understanding about noise from a party if you have told them about it first and agree an end time. Try to keep noise levels down and ask your guests to park considerately and leave quietly.
  • Be considerate with bonfires
    Bonfire smoke can be a real nuisance. If you must have a bonfire, speak to your neighbours first and arrange a time when they won't have their washing out, be using their garden or have their windows open.
  • Try and resolve issues with your neighbours directly first
    Most problems can be resolved by talking to your neighbours. If a neighbour approaches you, treat them with respect.
  • Report communal repairs
    Please report any repairs required to communal areas or shared facilities to us as soon as possible so we can keep your neighbourhood in good repair.