Living in your home

Damp, mould and condensation

Condensation is caused when steam or water vapour touches cold surfaces, such as walls, ceilings and windows.

If condensation builds up over long periods of time, it can lead to mould on walls and even on furnishings and your belongings. Preventing build up is the best way to keep yourself safe and ensure mould does not appear.

Here are a few easy tips to help reduce the build-up of condensation and moisture in your home:

Open windows or window vents to let moisture out.
Most windows will have trickle vents – these should be left open at all times.
When cooking, cover pans to reduce steam and use the extractor fan.
Your bathroom and kitchen will be fitted with an extractor fan which should be left on trickle mode at all times, and on boost mode when cooking, washing clothes, bathing and showering.
Avoid drying clothes indoors, especially on radiators.
If you have one, make sure your tumble dryer’s venting duct leads outside.
Heat your home evenly and consistently- the best way to keep rooms warm and avoid condensation is to keep low background heat on for a majority of the day, rather than short bursts of high heat. This maintains an even temperature and avoids cold surfaces..
If a Mechanical Ventilation or Heat Recovery (MVHR) system has been installed in your home, ensure that you familiarise yourself with the manual and manufacturer’s guidance. It is important to understand how these systems operate in order to run your home effectively.

You can read more about managing moisture in your home on our website.

Portal

Great Places has a self-service customer portal. You can use this portal to review your rent statement and report repairs. Please make sure you register for the portal here.

Rent payments - ways to pay

Your rent can be paid in a number of ways, however, we recommend using Direct Debit. It is simple to set up and helps avoid any rent arrears building up on your account. If you’ve chosen Direct Debit, your Neighbourhood Services Manager would have set-up and informed you of your payment amount as part of your housing application process.

You can also pay by rent payment card, debit card, the rent payment line on 0330 041 6497 or online via the portal.

Tenancy agreement

Your tenancy agreement is the legally binding contact between yourself and Great Places as your landlord. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your agreement in a safe place for the whole of your tenancy.

Utilities, council tax and services

Meter readings for your gas and electric will have been taken before you moved in, and will have been given to you and our supplier, OVO. You are free to change to any supplier when you like. Please make sure to provide any final meter reading when you move out so you are charged the correct amount, avoiding any estimated usage bills.

Bin collection dates

Please check with your local authority for your bin collection dates as well as when and where to place your recycling bins ready for collection. Please collect your bin and return it to the designated space once it has been collected. If you require a replacement bin, please contact your local authority for a replacement.