Blog: Community Conversations
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: "Platform Needs You" - 09/07/2020
We need you to help us shape our business! We’re currently developing a wide range of roles that will provide our customers with the opportunity to get involved; whether that’s a quick, short or long-term commitment, in person or digitally from the comfort from your own home. 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 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.
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.
Community Funding
Our funding process is currently under review and will be published soon.
If you have an urgent enquiry please email us at involved@platformhg.com with a brief summary of your request and contact details. A member of the Customer & Community Engagement team will get back to you within 5 working days.