What if I can't pay my water bill? | 6th March 2025

Water companies provide a range of support for customers who might have difficulty paying their water bills.  If this is you, check out information on the Southern Water website to see if you are eligible for help.  Schemes include special lower pricing for people on low incomes, instalment plans to spread your water bills, debt advice if you are already behind with payments, and other advice.

Our next survey for Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) | 18th October 2024

Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey last year, as part of our Tenant Satisfaction Measures monitoring.  We set out our TSM results in our Annual Report for 2023, delivered to all our households.  We will very soon be running our next TSM survey, again with the help of independent professionals IFF Research.  If you live in one of our properties, please see the letter that's been delivered to you, for more details.  Please take part, to tell us what you think about our services for tenants and residents. Your views help us to know what we are doing well, or what we need to improve.

Smart Meters | 19th September 2024

Energy companies may offer our tenants the chance to have a smart meter fitted.  Our tenants can choose whether to have one or not and are encouraged to let the Society know about any changes planned to gas or electricity meters. We may be able to advise if you are worried about it.  If a meter is changed by a power company, all gas and electric supplies should be fully operational before the installer leaves, and your boiler should also work as normal.  Meter installers should be Gas Safe registered so they can ensure your meter installation goes smoothly.  You can find more information and advice at  Getting a smart meter installed - Citizens Advice .

Fulflood Liveable Neighbourhood | 22nd February 2024

Hampshire County Council are giving all Fulflood residents the opportunity to take part in research about travelling in and around the area.  This is your chance to have your say.  HCC are running 2 drop-in workshops where you can find out more, or see Fulflood Liveable Neighbourhood mapping tool .  Workshops are St Paul's Church Hall 27th February from 4.30pm and HCC Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court 18th March from 4pm.  Look out for the information postcard that has been sent to you by HCC.

Estate Hedge Trimming | 3rd November 2023

On Monday 8 November, hedge maintenance work will start across the Society’s estate. This will be a hard cut, undertaken every few years to preserve boundaries.  It will involve cutting back the top foliage of hedges and underlying stems and branches. This will widen paths both to the front and rear of houses.

• Cutting will be to the outside and tops of hedges, not inside gardens.
• Removal of the outer green foliage can temporarily spoil the appearance of the hedges.  This will grow back next spring.
• The work may involve the use of small chain saws, so there may be increased noise levels.
• Some paths may be temporarily out of use whilst the work proceeds.
• Debris and arisings will be cleared away by the contractor.
• Please look out for warning signs and keep clear of working areas.

Consumer Standards for social housing | 2nd October 2023

The Regulator of Social Housing is undertaking a consultation about updated consumer standards for people who live in homes owned by registered providers of social housing.  The Regulator is particularly keen to hear from tenants.  Find details of the consultation and the Draft version of the 4 standards, on this official Gov.UK website Consumer Standards consultation RSH . The documents explains how you can have your say, including online, or you can simply write to the Regulator.  The consulation ends on 17th October 2023.

Smoke and fire risks | 5th July 2023

People spend more time outdoors, and have windows open, in warm summer weather.  Please be considerate of neighbours if you are planning barbecues, or simply smoking or vaping outdoors where fumes may be very noticeable and cause difficulty and fire risk.  Winchester City Council has this guidance for city residents wherever they live https://www.winchester.gov.uk/environment/nuisance/bonfires .  Electrical charging of e-scooters and bikes, vapes and other devices, is also a potential fire risk, especially if your escape route could be blocked.  Find more guidance here from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service  https://www.rbfrs.co.uk/latest-news/2023/safety-advice-for-e-bikes-and-e-scooters/

Hedges and Gardens | 12th June 2023

The Society's grounds maintenance contractor, Idverde, will shortly be commencing hedge trimming around the estate.  This will be an initial light prune on the outer sides (next to paths), to avoid disturbance to birds during the nesting season while making paths more accessible. This will be followed by a deeper cut later in the summer and autumn, with the aim of reducing the hedges back within their boundaries and to reduce height. Please remember to trim and keep tidy the sides of hedges that are inside your garden, and generally keep gardens and grass maintained, and free of any rubbish, pet waste or items waiting disposal.  This helps prevent the spread of weeds and reduces the liklihood of problems with pests.  If you need any help or advice, please do contact us.

Porch canopies refurbishment | 3rd May 2023

During June, we will be undertaking refurbishment of the distinctive wooden front porch canopies to WHS properties. The work will include painting of the woodwork and cleaning of the lead, as well as a general inspection for any other maintenance work that might be needed to the canopy.  Our team of decorators will be in touch with you to confirm the date when yours will be done. If you have any queries about the work please do not hesitate to contact the Property Manager.

Please take part in our survey | 1st March 2023

We wrote to all our householders on 31 January with information about the Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey that we are running this year, with the help of professionals IFF Research.  The survey is now beginning, so please look out for a phone call or email from IFF Research (emails may come from Voluntas, but please open the email and you will see it is on behalf of IFF Research working with the Society - using the link in the email will take you to an online version of our Survey).  If you miss their call, don't worry, they will try again several times.  If you think you have missed the chance to take part but are keen to respond, please contact Society staff.

Heating and hot water costs | 5th October 2022

Find ideas and links for help with Energy Bills and other costs here at this Government website called Help for Households. Other useful tips are:

• Stop draughts – Check your doors and windows. But remember to open windows sometimes for ventilation, and use extract fans to the stop build-up of moisture that could cause mould.
• Close internal doors – Helps reduce draughts still further.
• Check loft insulation – Ask us to visit to do this for you. Depth of insulation should be around 250mm/10 inches. (Note: lofts should be empty of possessions so we can inspect, or arrange any work needed). Do not put items on top of loft insulation.
• Turn heating down – Each 1^oC saves around 4% or £100 per year.
• Minimise hot water use - Hot water is responsible for around 25% of the average household energy bill. Shower instead of bath if you can.
• Avoid using tumble dryer - Try drying your clothes outside in good weather, or on an airer in a sunny room.  But make sure you leave a window open, to avoid trapping damp air indoors.

HM Queen Elizabeth II | 16th September 2022

The Society joins the country in its sadness at the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and gives thanks for her exceptional life and extraordinary service.  On the day of her state funeral Monday 19^th September, we will observe the bank holiday and operate on an out of hours basis (emergency response only).

Our New Name | 28th July 2022

We are gradually making changes to our website, letters, signs and other media, to introduce our shorter trading name Winchester Housing Society.  There is more information about this in the Annual Report recently delivered to all Society homes.   (You can also find a copy of the Report in our document archive here). There are no changes to any of our services, tenancies or contact details, which all continue as usual.

Water matters | 24th May 2022

Do you know where your water meter is located?  If you are not sure how to access it or take a reading, please ask us for help.  We can also help you find the external valve to turn off your water.  It is a good idea to check your meter a few times a year (note the readings in your diary), so you can compare it to any billing information sent to you by Southern Water.  If you don’t know if you have a meter, ask us to help you look (and have your most recent Water bill available for us to see).  Do you know where your indoor water stop cock is located so that you can easily turn off your water in an emergency if you need to?  Please ask us about that too if you are unsure, or if you would like it checked or cannot turn it.

Decorating and mobility | 7th April 2022

The Society can offer help to any of our tenants who through age, reduced mobility or similar reasons would now find it difficult to maintain a good standard of decoration inside their home.  We can also install grab rails and handles to help give you more stability.  If you would like to talk with us about help of this kind, please get in touch.

Public Access Defibrillator | 29th March 2022

This week we are installing a public access defibrillator outside at Ronald Bowker Court.  It will be registered with the 999 network and can be used by anyone in a cardiac emergency (no training necessary), ideally alongside CPR.  The defibrillator has been provided by the Society and the Tenants' Association, particularly to celebrate Richard Steel's chairmanship of WWMHS until his retirement in 2019.  Please watch this space for further details.