Bradford Flower Fund Homes News

Welcome to the Spring Edition of our Newsletter. We have included several articles we hope you find useful. If there are any topics you think tenants would find useful to be included in the next newsletter, please get in touch.

Tenant Meetings - Security

Discussions around site security have been at the forefront of discussions over the past 12 months. We would like to address any concerns around dark spots on site. If you feel that your bungalow has dark areas that would benefit from extra lighting, please contact your site representative who will report it at the next meeting.

Gas Inspection Dates

Keighley Croft - June 26
Highfield House - July 26
Flower Court - August 26
Flower Bank - September 26
Flower Croft (Gaisby Lane) - October 26
Flower Haven - November 26
Flower Garth - December 26
Flower Meadows - February 27
Flower Hill - March 27
Flower Mount - April 27

Renters Right Bill

All Bradford Flower Fund Homes sites will have now received the information sheet regarding the Renters Right Bill (note this does not affect Flower Meadows and Milner Court).

We would like to reinforce to tenants that we warmly welcome the improvements made by the bill. The principles introduced have been put into place daily by the flower fund for many years. Stronger transparency, good communications and stronger protection are standards we have long embraced, so tenants will not see any change on how we work together.

We would also like to assure all tenants that we have written a very fair and detailed Pet Policy. Any request for pets will be considered in line with the policy and all tenants well-being will be considered before decisions are made.

Green Doctor

Green Doctor are trained efficiency experts who provide vulnerable residents with free, impartial advice to help tenants take control of their bills and save energy in your home.

• struggling to pay energy bills or finding it hard to manage fuel debt
• worrying about keeping warm or choosing between eating and heating

Freephone 0300 303 3292

Rent Increases

Each year, the Board carefully reviews rental levels across the wider housing market, and following this assessment, a rent increase was applied for all tenants in March/April 2026.

While we recognise that rental prices continue to rise nationally, our rents remain significantly below typical market rates and those charged by other charitable organisations, housing associations, in-communities, and the private sector for comparable homes. In most cases, our rents are still lower than the amounts funded by local government for tenants receiving Housing Benefit.

The Board will continue to carry out a full and fair review of the housing market before making any decisions on future rent changes. You can feel confident that the rent you pay remains highly competitive and represents excellent value compared with the current market.

In addition, the Board continue to insist that no service charges are applied for the additional extra services we choose to provide, such as:

• Garden Maintenance
• Safe and Sound
• Window Cleaning (flats)
• Gutter Cleaning x 2 per year
• Communal Area Cleaning
• Tree Maintenance

Ensuring you receive the most value possible for the rents you pay.

Gardens

We have been delighted with the level of positive feedback received about the gardeners. Whilst we appreciate that we will never please all the tenants all the time, the sites are looking fantastic, and the gardeners continue to go above and beyond the expectations required within their contract to make the areas look welcoming.

Please continue to pass on your thanks when possible and I’m sure they would welcome the odd cup of tea on those cold and blustery days!

Direct Debits

The option for tenants to pay by direct debit has been running for several months now. Despite a couple of teething problems early doors, this is now running smoothly for those who took out the option to switch from standing order. I’m sure you all felt the benefit in April when there was no need for a trip to the bank!
We would encourage all those tenants who currently pay by standing order to switch to direct debit for ease of amendments going forward. Just contact the office if you wish to do so.

What to Report

We have put together a welcome booklet for new tenants which explains what should be reported to the office and what is the tenant’s responsibility.

If any of our existing tenants would find this book useful, please get in touch and we will arrange to send you a copy.

Shipley Memories Group

The Shipley Memories Group takes places at Shipley Bowling Club in association with West Yorkshire Police.

Taking place each Monday at 11-1pm, Shipley Memories Group aims to support those who are living with Dementia, loneliness and low mood.

Each session features music, games and light refreshments and each month we are aiming to have a guest speaker in attendance to share their life experience with the group. The sessions are free to attend and there is no requirement to book.