Better Housing Better Health
This free service is run by the National Energy Foundation, a charity working to help residents access free advice and support if they are in or at risk of fuel poverty.
Better Housing Better Health can give advice on how to stay warm at home, provide free home energy visits and sign up those in need of additional support to the Priority Services Register if they are eligible.
If you would find any of this helpful, you can contact Better Housing Better Health on freephone 0800 107 0044 or visit their website at bhbh.org.uk to find out more.
Contents insurance
Did you know it’s your responsibility to arrange home contents insurance?
The council is responsible for building insurance and the cost of this is included in your rent, but we don’t insure your furniture or belongings.
It might sound dramatic, but if there was a fire or flood in your home, could you afford to replace or repair your possessions? We offer a contents insurance scheme for our tenants. You can choose the level of cover, but it starts from as little as 78p a week and the payments will be collected as part of your rent.
To apply for the scheme or to find out more, visit our Council tenant household insurance page or email housing.service@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or call 01303 853300.
Fire safety
Making sure your home is safe is important for everyone. Complete a free online home fire safety check . It will take around 15 minutes to do and it will take you through your home, one room at a time, with simple questions to help you spot fire risks, and offer advice on what you can do to reduce those risks. You will then get a personalised fire safety action plan to help keep you and your household safe from fire.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service also offers free home fire safety visits to anyone who:
- Is aged 70 or over
- Is living with dementia
- Has a long term health condition
- Has young children or is pregnant
- Is a smoker
If you’d like to request a home fire safety visit, you can call 0800 923 7000.
Scam alert
Fraudsters and rogue traders take every opportunity they can to try and get
hold of your money, so you need to be alert to possible scams. All our staff and contractors wear ID when they visit residents. If you receive a letter or a phone call from someone claiming to work for the council and you are in any doubt as to whether it is genuine, call us on 01303 853300 to check. If you have fallen victim to a scam, please contact the police straight away and report it to Action Fraud or on 0330 123 2040.
Loft spaces
If you have a loft, please do not access or store items in there, or try to convert the loft space or use it as an extra bedroom. Doing this can pose a risk to your health and safety and could cause damage to the property