Housing Matters - July 2025
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Read the July 2025 edition of Housing Matters.
Upcoming dates: meet the Tenant Involvement team
Have a housing query? Come and meet the team!
We have set up hubs where you can chat face-to-face with housing officers on topics ranging from engagement and involvement, repairs, income management, neighbourhood management and tenancy support.
At some hubs we will also be joined by Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as teams from within the Council including Public Health, Community Safety, Domestic Abuse and Active Streets.
The next drop-in sessions, where you can speak to a member of the team about our services and give your feedback, are:
- Tuesday 8 July from 10am to midday at Leighton Buzzard Library
- Thursday 10 July from 2pm to 4pm at Houghton Regis Fitness Centre, Parkside Drive, LU5 5PX
- Monday 28 July from 3pm to 5pm at Dunstable Library
- Tuesday 12 August from 10am to midday at Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, SG17 5TQ in the foyer
- Thursday 14 August from 4pm to 6pm at Leighton Buzzard Library
- Tuesday 19 August from 10am to midday at Dunstable Library
Get involved!
If you would like to learn how you can have your voice heard and influence the way your housing service is delivered, come and talk to one of our team to find out more.
Can’t join us on one of the days?
Email: tenant.involvement@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk, visit our website, or call 0300 300 6880. We look forward to hearing from you!
Share your views on how you contact us
Help us continue to improve our housing service
We know that everyone communicates differently. Some people prefer a quick phone call, others like using email or online forms, and many value face-to-face conversations. We want to make sure you can contact us in the way that works best for you, and your views are essential to this process.
By taking our short survey and telling us how you prefer to communicate, you’ll help shape future improvements to our service. Take part in our short survey.
We’re always looking for ways to improve. If something’s not quite right or could be better, please tell us — your feedback helps us make things better for everyone.
We’ve released our latest Annual Report
We are pleased to announce the release of our 2024/2025 annual report
Focusing not only on how we spend rental income, we have also shared the latest survey results which relate to the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (or TSMs). These ensure we are giving you the service you deserve.
Read the full report on our website.
Email tenant.involvement@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 6880 to get involved.
Missing anything? Let us know what you'd like to see more of by contacting housinginfo@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Repairs satisfaction survey
You may get a call from Acuity, who are conducting the survey
Our new repairs satisfaction survey will be conducted by Acuity, a company specialising in social housing research. The survey begins in mid-July 2025.
Acuity will contact a random sample of 85 tenants per month who have recently had a repair carried out by Wates, our main contractor. The survey will take 5 to 10 minutes.
Calls will come from 01582 323045 between 9am and 8pm on weekdays and between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays.
The survey is confidential. Results can be shared anonymously with us if you prefer.
Acuity adheres to strict data protection and quality standards. Calls are recorded for training and quality assurance.
Questions? Email housinginfo@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call Acuity on 01273 287114. You can also visit Acuity’s website.
Direct Debit: a secure, trusted, convenient, reliable and flexible way to pay
Direct Debit is the hassle-free way to pay your rent
We offer monthly collections (1st to 28th) or weekly collections on Mondays. You can still benefit from rent-free weeks.
If the payment date falls on a weekend, we’ll collect on the next working day. You can use Direct Debit even if you receive housing benefit.
Call us with your bank details:
- 0300 300 6652: weekly/fortnightly/4 weekly on a Monday
- 0300 300 5186: for the 1st to 7th of each month
- 0300 300 5640: for the 8th to 14th of each month
- 0300 300 6855: for the 15th to 21st of each month
- 0300 300 8418: for the 22nd to 28th of each month
Or email your contact details to housingbusinessteam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and we’ll get back to you.
Direct Debit Guarantee
- if payment dates or amounts change, we’ll notify you at least 10 working days in advance
- if an error is made by us or your bank, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund
- you can cancel a Direct Debit anytime by writing to your bank. Please also notify us and arrange alternative payment if you still owe rent