Cold weather advice and useful information

Please find below some useful information and sources of more support to help you cope with the cold weather. We have continued to provide services and will keep you up to date on this page about any changes to our service that are a result of the weather.  

Uncontrolled water leaks:

If you have a leak that you are unable to contain (and it is getting worse) or a burst pipe or split water tank in your loft, then please call us and we will try to attend. To reduce damage, we suggest you do the following:

• If a pipe has burst the best course of action is to turn off the stopcock. If this is not possible wrap a towel tightly around the burst and let one end of the towel hang into a bucket. This should wick the water into a bucket. The bucket will need emptying regularly.
• If the pipe is frozen it will need to be thawed gradually. To do this turn the heating up a little and open all internal doors. Open the loft hatch if the affected pipes are in the loft.

No heating or hot water?  

If your heating or hot water have completely broken down we will attend to carry out a repair or deliver some temporary heaters until the fault can be repaired. If you have one radiator not working this is not deemed an emergency and we will attend during normal working hours.

Please be aware that we are dealing with calls as quickly as possible, and prioritising our most vulnerable tenants.

We may advise you to find an alternative place to stay temporarily, either with friends or family, depending on the extent of the problem.   

Our mobile workforce will always try to attend calls but due to road and driving conditions it is not always possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Call us on 0800 1691122.  

Other information:  

Home Contents Insurance: One of the things you can do to protect your belongings in adverse weather conditions is to make sure you have home contents insurance. 'My Home Contents Insurance Scheme' is a low cost insurance package designed specifically for housing association tenants. Click here to visit the website or call 0845 3372463.  

Homelessness: If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness you should contact Sevenoaks District Council offices on 01732 227000 and ask to speak to the Duty Homelessness Officer for advice and assistance.

Checking on vulnerable neighbours: We would ask that everyone takes time to check on vulnerable residents and neighbours, in particluar those who may be cut off in rural areas. If you are concerned about a neighbour please call us on 01732 749400.

Prepayment Gas meters: make sure you keep your meter topped up as you may be using more gas than usual in the cold weather.