Housing Hartlepool

Issued for and with the approval of Housing Hartlepool

NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Emma Hignett on 01325 363436

Housing Hartlepool has handed over £250 to the first winner of its new monthly prize draw for good tenants.

Mrs Karen Palmer was presented with the cheque on Friday, September 7, by Andy Powell, director of housing management services for Housing Hartlepool. The presentation was made at Mrs Palmer’s home in the West View area of Hartlepool.

Mrs Palmer is the first winner of the new monthly draw, into which all qualifying Housing Hartlepool tenants will automatically be entered. To qualify, tenants must have a clear rental account, allow Housing Hartlepool staff access to carry out an annual gas service, have met all conditions of the tenancy agreement and have cleared any other debts with the housing company. All qualifying tenants who have been in a property for a year or more will automatically be entered into the monthly draws.

Andy Powell, director of housing management services for Housing Hartlepool, said: “This is an opportunity to focus on the good tenants, those who pay their rent without problem, maintain the properties and comply with the tenancy agreement. Any good tenant will be automatically entered for the £250 monthly prize draw.

“Housing Hartlepool has many tenants who pay efficiently and cause no disruption. This is an ideal way of focussing on them and rewarding them. We hope that the prize draw will prove an incentive to other residents, and are confident that the prizes will pay for themselves with a reduction in rent arrears.”

Mrs Palmer said: “This is a lovely surprise. Housing Hartlepool has always been efficient at maintaining the properties and organising any repairs. The prize draw is a great incentive to tenants to look after the property and the garden. It is good that people who are house-proud are now being rewarded.”

Mrs Palmer has been a tenant of Housing Hartlepool for more than 25 years. She has lived in her current property since 2003, sharing it with her husband and step son.
ENDS

Editors’ Notes
Housing Hartlepool was set up in March 2004 to take over the ownership and management of the Council's rented housing stock following a positive ballot by tenants. It is a not for profit charitable organisation.
Housing Hartlepool is run by a voluntary board that consists of four tenant members, four council nominees and four independent people.
The company manages 7,000 properties throughout the Hartlepool area and surrounding villages. These range from five-bedroom family houses to flats for single people. In addition there is a wide range of bungalows and sheltered housing complexes for the elderly.
The housing service is provided from three neighbourhood-based offices.
For more information, go to: www.housinghartlepool.org.uk

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Julie Donkin, income recovery neighbourhood manager and Andy Powell, director of housing management services for Housing Hartlepool congratulate winner Karen Palmer