Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 advice and find information, guidance and updates on our services.
Updated – 27 May 2021
Surge testing in Bedford
You may be aware that Covid-19 infections are rising and variants of concern have been detected in Bedford Borough.
Enhanced Covid testing is now available in the Kingsbrook, Cauldwell and Queens Park areas of Bedford.
If you DO NOT have Coronavirus symptoms but live in this area you should take a PCR test at one of Bedford Borough Council’s new Mobile Testing Units
Visit the Mobile Testing Units to take a PCR test at:
1. Oasis Beach Pool, Cardington Road, MK42 0BZ (8am to 6pm)
2. John Bunyan Sports and Fitness, Mile Road, MK42 9TS (8am to 6pm)
3. Enterprise House, Old Ford End Road, MK40 4PF (8am to 5pm)
There is no need to book just turn up. Alternatively you can pick up a Home Test Kit at:
- Tesco Car Park, Cardington Road
- Morrisons Car Park, Ampthill Road
- Queens Park Community Centre
Testing will help to monitor and suppress the spread of the virus. People who have tested positive in the last 90 days DO NOT need to be tested again.
We are working with Bedford Borough Council to help identify cases, so bpha employees will also be visiting all of our residents who live in these areas during the week commencing 31 May to drop off a PCR test to help identify cases and ensure that people self-isolate, with the appropriate support.
Once the test has been completed we will return to pick them up.
Current status: Roadmap out of lockdown – Step 3
We are still in a national lockdown. However, from 8 March, the government has started to deliver a roadmap to gradually lift restrictions and bring us out of lockdown.
As of May 17 we are now in Step 3.
Read more details on the government website.
Find out more about what it means to you as a bpha resident, below.
Health and homes come first
Our biggest priority remains the health and safety of our residents and employees. We are continuing to work hard to make sure that you’re all healthy, safe and happy in your homes. We want you to know that we’re here and ready to help. Please see below for our latest service updates and how they may impact you.
Service updates and guidance
Responsive Repairs Service
From 12 April 2021 our routine repairs service has started again, so if you need to book a routine repair please contact us. We will continue to carry out emergency and essential repairs.
Our heating contractor, TSG, has also returned to providing a full repairs service from 12 April.
Keeping everyone safe
Our contractors have safe methods of working in place to ensure social distancing measures and government guidance is adhered to for the safety of customers, staff and the general public.
To ensure that you and our operatives remain safe, this is what you can expect when we attend your home to carry out a repair:
• The operative will knock on the door and step two meters back;
• The operative will have suitable protective equipment including gloves and possibly masks depending on the circumstances;
• You will not be required to sign the engineer’s PDA. Upon completion of the work the engineer will sign this on your behalf.
It is imperative that:
• You advise us at the point of requesting a repair or prior to the appointment if you are shielding, have symptoms of Covid-19 or are isolating because you are at higher risk;
• All household members are in a different room to where the operative is working. If this is not possible, a distance of two metres between you the engineer must be maintained at all times during the visit.
No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating, unless your work is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing and electrical work or health and safety compliance work.
If a member of our team appears unwell, feel free to ask them about their health to ensure your safety.
Please be aware that anyone can be affected by the virus and there may be occasions where jobs or inspections may need to be cancelled and rescheduled at short notice, but we will notify you as soon as possible where this occurs.
For more information please visit bpha.org.uk/your-home/repairs-and-maintenance/about-repairs/
Rent
We understand that many people will be worried about the affect that Coronavirus might have on their income and ability to pay rent.
If you are affected by the Coronavirus, whether directly through illness or through a change in work circumstances that will impact your income, please contact us as soon as you can. We’re here to help and will look at your individual circumstances and do everything we can support you through this very challenging time.
For more information, advice and guidance on money, rent and income during the Coronavirus crisis, including what benefits you might be entitled to claim, visit our dedicated page on the website.
Customer service
We’re doing everything we can to continue to provide as normal a service as possible, but given the unprecedented nature of the situation and the increase in demand, there have been some necessary changes.
Opening hours – Our contact centre opening hours are 8am-5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am-4.30pm on Friday. Emails will also be responded to within these times.
Waiting times – Due to an increase in demand, the waiting times are likely to be higher than usual. You may get a quicker response via e-mail.
We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we adjust to operating in this new way.
Get in touch
by email: info@bpha.org.uk
by telephone: 0330 100 0272
Our offices
Our head offices are now closed until further notice and the majority of our employees are working remotely. This is in accordance with government advice, in an effort to slow the spread of Coronavirus and ensure the safety or our visitors and staff.
Caretaking
Caretaking
Our dedicated caretaking staff continue to operate across our schemes, ensuring we maintain essential tasks and services during this unprecedented time. However, certain things have changed as a result of COVID-19.
Cleaning (for blocks outside of Bedford)
Given the current situation, this service is of course an area of focus for us. Whilst you might notice some differences and interruptions to where and how often we work, we will continue to clean as frequently as possible. Prioritising high-rise communal blocks, but also throughout our other sites and schemes.
Grounds maintenance
We continue to provide this service, although you may notice some changes to how often some areas are worked on, as our contractors follow government guidance and restrictions.
Thanks for your understanding and patience as our caretaking staff react and step-up to the ever-changing situation.
Planned and Cyclical Work
In accordance with the latest Government guidance, we will continue to offer our normal planned and cyclical works services.
We have been working closely with our contractors to ensure that the correct precautionary working practices are put in place to protect both, you, our contractors and our employees. Prior to beginning any work, each contractor submits an updated risk assessment and method statement, outlining how they will safely work. These have been reviewed by bpha to ensure that they follow Government guidance and also meet bpha expectations around resident safety. Please rest assured we will continue to regularly monitor each contractor, on an individual basis and take any necessary precautionary measures should Government guidance change.
We appreciate that this is a difficult time for everyone and understand that all of our residents have different needs. bpha will contact you in advance, to notify you of any proposed works that will directly affect your home. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with the work being undertaken, bpha will be happy to reschedule this for another time.
If you have any concerns or queries, or would like to discuss this with us further, please call bpha on 0330 1000 272.
Health and safety
We will continue to carry out all statutory health and safety compliance checks.
Retirement Living
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves, we’re doing everything we can to ensure that our retirement living residents and employees are as safe as possible during this unusual and challenging time.
Communal areas – All communal areas in our schemes will remain closed, excluding any laundry facilities. Hairdressing salons in our extra care schemes have reopened from 12 April, in line with the Government’s Covid guidelines.
Guest Rooms – All Guest Rooms will remain closed, as they have been since March 2020.
Cleaning – Cleaning and caretaking in schemes will continue as normal.
Visitors – We are asking our residents to ensure that only essential visitors are invited into the scheme and they follow safety guidance, such as wearing a face covering upon entering the scheme.
Visitors should not visit if they have covid symptoms (a temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss of taste and smell). In line with Government advice, we do not expect any non-essential visitors to come to the scheme.
Social distancing – We have all been asked to maintain social distancing by the Government, and this means that you need to stay two metres apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible, this includes when you are taking the opportunity to exercise outside or other specific purposes. You can meet up outdoors in a group of up to six people you do not live with (rule of six). All communal areas within our schemes must be treated as public spaces and should not be used to meet or gather with others.
If anything remains unclear or there are further questions, please contact your scheme manager and they will assist you in getting the clarification they need.
Moving home
We will continue to complete property lettings that have already been allocated for new tenants (new homes and re-lets) and will adapt our process for new sign-ups and lets as the situation evolves.
Although we’re doing everything we can to maintain a normal service, there will be some changes and possible disruption.
- We are now able to complete the paperwork involved in moving home digitally, i.e by email
- There could be delays in getting properties ready for letting
- Building contractors and developers might have further restrictions which could delay the completion of new homes. bpha will contact you to advise if the handover date is delayed
- On-site visits will also depend on the customer circumstances and the housing officer will carry out appropriate checks to see if this happens
- Customers may extend their notice period, which could affect properties being available to re-let to waiting customers
If customers have any questions please contact bpha as normal.
Mutual Exchange
From 29 March 2021, our surveyors have restarted carrying out mutual exchange inspections.
Defects on our new build homes
Regarding our new build homes:
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Urgent defects, loss of heating, water, electrical and uncontrollable leaks will be attended to, subject to individual assessment of the defect and health questionnaire which might be carried out
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Non-urgent defects, raised through bpha to be carried out by Housebuilder/contractors, are likely to be postponed by many of our contractor/developer partners during the current restrictions but customers are asked to carry on raising defects as normal through our customer contact centre to ensure that these can be dealt with appropriately.
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Where it is currently not possible to deal with non-urgent defects, arrangements will be made to attend when the current restrictions are no longer in place
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Customers will be contacted regarding revised arrangements for ‘End of Defect Period Inspections’ which have been scheduled.
Before raising a defect, have a look at our new guides and walkthroughs, video tips, and tutorials for some basic jobs and DIY essentials.
Sales
bpha’s Domovo sales team is fully operational and ready to help customers from an initial enquiry through to reservation, completion and moving in.
Viewings are being booked in by appointment and we are adhering to all Government guidelines to ensure the safety of our customers and employees.
Thoughts from life in lockdown
We have pulled together a series of first-hand accounts from our employees that capture life working for bpha during the Covid-19 lockdown. Find out how we’ve been continuing to support our customers and deliver our services during these unprecedented times.
What if I can’t work?
If you’ve got concerns about how the Coronavirus might affect your income head over to our Coronavirus, Income and Rent page for advice.
Please remember Hands, Face, Space
There are three simple actions we must all do to keep on protecting each other and help to control the virus:
- Wash hands – keep washing your hands regularly
- Cover your face – wear a face covering in enclosed spaces
- Make space – stay at least 2 metres apart – or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions
Read more about what you can and cannot do during lockdown
If you’re reporting a breach of these guidelines, please report it to your local police. Most local police forces now have an online report tool, like Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Keeping busy during lockdown
Being stuck indoors can be hard at the best of times. We’ve put together a selection of ideas, activities, resources and media that might help keep us all busy during lockdown.
Support and advice
Get the latest instructions and guidance from the government.
Get the latest government advice for landlords and tenants
The latest NHS advice and updates
The latest NHS advice and updates
Latest NHS guidance in 36 languages
Domestic abuse support
Advice and support for those experiencing domestic abuse during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Proud to be
bpha is the Help to Buy Agent for the Midlands and London. For more information visit www.helptobuyagent2.org.uk
or call 03333 214 044.
