South London | Autumn 2026
Get ready for autumn Support, advice and things to know this autumn Is your home ready for winter?
Get outdoors and be creative this autumn
How your feedback is improving repairs
South London | Autumn 2026
Contents
Welcome... ...to the autumn edition of your Home magazine As the seasons change, this edition is packed with ideas and practical tips for autumn and updates on the services you use. On pages 3 and 4, you'll find simple ways to prepare your home for the colder weather. From looking after your boiler and managing damp and mould, to finding help with energy bills, there's advice to keep your home warm and comfortable.
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There are also plenty of ways to enjoy the season on page 5, including autumn activities and the chance to win a prize in our pumpkin competition. Turn to pages 8 to 11 for updates on how we're improving our services. You'll find our latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures, progress on repairs and the latest on how residents are helping improve services through our Resident-Led Panel and Regional Forums. As always, you'll also find updates from your local area and information about support available if you need it. We hope you enjoy this edition. If there's something you'd like to see in a future issue, we'd love to hear from you. With best wishes, Wells Chomutare Managing Director | South London
Contact us Phone 0300 123 3456 Website peabody.org.uk/contact-us Post 45 Westminster Bridge Road London, SE1 7JB Facebook and Instagram @PeabodyLDN
Home magazine aims to keep you up to date with news, events and other useful information and support. We hope you enjoy reading the magazine, but if you decide you don’t want to receive it any more, just let us know: Email communications@peabody.org.uk stating ‘Magazine opt-out’ in the subject line. Please include in the email either your tenancy reference number or your full name and address. We need this information so we can find you in our database to unsubscribe you. You can sign up to receive Home directly to your inbox at peabody.org.uk/peabody-magazine
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Is your home ready for winter?
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What to do about damp and mould
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Get creative this autumn
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Stay safe with e-bikes and e-scooters
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Support available
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How we're doing
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How your feedback is improving repairs
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Update from our Resident-Led Panel
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An update from your South London Regional Forum
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Malachi's next chapter as Neighbourhood Manager
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Parkside's Big Event
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Creating community spaces with you
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Wellbeing Hub at Rosendale Community Centre
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Getting in touch
Is your home ready for winter? A few simple checks now can help keep your home warm, avoid problems and save money when colder weather arrives. Check your boiler Before the temperature drops, turn your heating on and your thermostat up to make sure your boiler is working properly. Check that your radiators are warming up and your hot water is working as expected. If something's not right, try resetting your boiler and checking the pressure gauge. Most boilers work best at around 1 to 1.5 bar. If it's still not working, get in touch.
Check for damp and mould Damp and mould can cause problems at home, especially in the colder months. If you've got an issue with damp and mould, we're here to help. There are also simple things you can do to help prevent damp and mould and information on how to report it on the next page.
Prepare outside too If you have your own garden or outdoor space, clear leaves from paths, drains and gutters where you can and put away any garden furniture or loose items before winter weather arrives. Taking a few minutes now can help prevent slips, trips and damage later.
Lower your household bills Our money-saving specialists at LEAP and Pocket Power can help you find better energy, broadband and phone deals. They can also check you're receiving all the support you're entitled to. You could save around £200 a year. info.peabody.org.uk/household-bills
Keep your home safe Take a few minutes to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Replace the batteries if needed and make sure hallways are clear.
Get advice If you're worried about money, our Financial Support team is here to help. They can explain what support is available, check to see if you qualify for any benefits and help with applications. Visit info.peabody.org.uk/advice or call 0207 021 4085, Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Pop into your local community centre If you need a warm space, a friendly face or a little extra support this winter, you're always welcome at one of our community centres. Many offer free or low-cost activities and advice services and some provide food banks. Find your nearest centre at info.peabody.org.uk/nearest-centre
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Damp and mould What Awaab's Law means for you Everyone deserves to live in a safe, healthy home. The next phase of Awaab's Law introduces new legal timeframes for social landlords to respond to serious problems in residents' homes, including damp and mould. When you report a repair, we'll look at how urgent it is and whether anyone in your home may be at greater risk, such as young children, older people, pregnant residents or someone with a disability or long-term health condition. If we find it’s an emergency, we'll make things safe within 24 hours. Other serious issues will be inspected if possible within 10 working days. If you notice damp or mould, report it as soon as possible so we can help. Tell us how it's affecting you and anyone else living in your home.
Could you get extra support this winter? Some residents may be able to get extra financial support this winter. Here are a few things that could help.
Winter Fuel Payments
Some pensioners could receive between £100 and £300 towards heating costs.
Pension Credit
If you're over State Pension age, you could get extra weekly income and other support, including help with NHS costs.
Household Support Fund
Your local council may be able to help with food, energy bills and other essential household costs.
Warm Home Discount
Some households could receive £150 off their electricity bill. Check if you can get it by visiting gov.uk or get in touch with our Financial Support team. They'll help you understand what's available and apply.
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Report damp and mould info.peabody.org.uk/report-damp-and-mould
Visit info.peabody.org.uk/advice or call 0207 021 4085, Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Did you know? There are a few simple things you can do to help reduce condensation and damp in your home: Open windows for around 10 minutes each day and keep the vents around them open.
Opening a window while cooking or showering helps warm, damp air escape before it turns into condensation. Put lids on pans while cooking to help reduce moisture in the air.
Extractor fans work best if you leave them running for around 15 to 20 minutes after showering or cooking.
Try not to dry clothes on radiators. If you're drying clothes indoors, keep them in one room, close the door and open a window slightly.
Leaving a gap of around 10cm between furniture and outside walls helps air circulate and reduces the chance of mould forming behind furniture.
Keeping rooms at a steady temperature can help reduce condensation, rather than letting them get very cold and then warming them up again.
Get creative this autumn
£50
Looking for something to do with the kids this autumn? Make your own harvest wreath using treasures from outdoors and a few things you might already have at home.
Show off your spooky creation for the chance to win a £50 supermarket voucher
You'll need: • A paper plate, with the centre cut out (take care when using scissors) • Tissue paper or old fabric • Natural treasures such as dried fallen leaves, acorns, pinecones, conkers and sticks • PVA glue • Ribbon or string to hang your wreath Carefully cut out the centre of the paper plate to make a ring. Cover it with torn pieces of tissue paper to create a colourful base, then decorate it with your natural treasures and craft materials however you like.
• Take a photo of your finished creation • Share it on your Instagram feed or story and follow and tag @PeabodyLDN • Post your creation by midnight on Sunday 8 November The best design will win a £50 supermarket voucher. Happy decorating!
i nfo.peabody.org.uk/nearest-centre
Celebrate safely this autumn
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is at a public display. Check your local council website to find an event near you. www.gov.uk/find-local-council
WON!
• Decorate a Halloween or autumn-inspired pumpkin or gourd
Visit your local community centre for more family activities
info.peabody.org.uk/celebrate-safely
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How to enter:
T&Cs apply. Find out more at peabody.org.uk/halloween
Bonfire Night and Diwali are a time for celebration. Whether you're lighting candles and diyas or enjoying sparklers and fireworks, here are a few tips to help you celebrate safely.
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Stay safe at home As the weather gets colder, we often use things like candles, heaters and fireplaces. Remember: • Blow out candles before leaving a room or going to bed • Keep candles and portable heaters well away from curtains, furniture and anything else that could catch fire • Don’t dry clothes on or too close to portable heaters
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One of the biggest fire risks could be charging in your hallway
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E-bikes and e-scooters might be part of your daily life.
Charge while you're awake, use the charger supplied with your device and keep it away from hallways and doorways.
But their batteries can start a serious fire, even if they look fine.
Check the battery before and while it's charging. Stop charging if it gets very hot, leaks, swells, smells unusual or makes hissing or crackling sounds.
Find out more about the fire risks and how to stay safe
Avoid cheap batteries, DIY conversion kits and unofficial parts.
info.peabody.org.uk/e-bike-safety london-fire.gov.uk/ safety/e-bikes-and-e-scooters
f a fire starts, get out, shut I the door if you can and call 999. Ask for the fire brigade.
Concerned about tenancy fraud? Let us know Tenancy fraud happens when someone lives in a social home they shouldn't be in. This could include subletting it to someone else or no longer living there themselves. Every social home should go to someone who needs it. But tenancy fraud can mean homes aren't available for those waiting for a home. It's more common than you might think. Around 148,000 social homes in England are affected, including around 1 in 20 in London. At the same time, 1.33 million households are on the social housing waiting list. If you notice something that doesn't seem right, please let us know. You can report it anonymously if you'd prefer. 0300 123 3456 illegalsubletting@peabody.org.uk
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Learn more about tenancy fraud info.peabody.org.uk/tenancy-fraud
Safe Spaces for domestic abuse support If you're experiencing domestic abuse or feel unsafe at home, you don't have to face it alone. We can help you plan your next steps and connect you with specialist support.
Your nearest Safe Spaces Darwin Court 1 Crail Row Walworth London SE17 1AD
The Nest 3 Cygnet Square Thamesmead SE2 9FA
Find support info.peabody.org.uk/local-safe-spaces
Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs): repairs This year’s results You told us repairs are one of the areas where we need to do better. This year, 64% of residents living in rented homes were satisfied with our repairs service and 60.5% were satisfied with the time it took to complete their most recent repair. We know there's more to do, particularly when it comes to repair times and keeping you updated. That's why we’ve:
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Introduced new Service Standards so you know what to expect from us
Introduced more local repairs teams in some areas
Made it easier to track your repair online
Recruited more colleagues and repairs inspectors to check the quality of completed work
Improved the way we keep you updated on the progress of your repair
Improved how we manage contractors
Improved the information our Contact Centre colleagues can share when booking repairs, helping contractors arrive with the right information
Service Standards Our Service Standards set out what you can expect from us. One of those standards is keeping you updated, because we know that waiting for information can be just as frustrating as waiting for a repair. Recently, a resident told us how regular updates, prompt responses and clear explanations from one of our colleagues transformed their experience of a complex repair. That's the standard we're working towards for every resident. If we can't resolve an issue straight away, we'll keep you updated, explain any delays and let you know what happens next. Since October, we’ve resolved more than 32,000 queries on the same day and 66% of queries received a response within five working days. We're continuing to improve so you receive clear, timely communication whenever you get in touch.
We'll continue to use your feedback to improve your repairs service.
New standard for better services From October, a new government Competence and Conduct Standard will help make sure you receive a professional, consistent service. As part of this, our senior leaders will need to have, or work towards, housing qualifications. We'll also introduce an updated Code of Conduct for colleagues, setting out the standards you can expect from us and how you should be more involved. Residents have helped shape the code and the new standard means you'll continue to have a stronger voice in how our services are reviewed and improved.
Read more on our website info.peabody.org.uk/competence-and conduct-standard
How your feedback is improving repairs Repairs come through as residents' biggest priority in our Tenant Satisfaction Measures, resident surveys and complaints. A group of residents have reviewed our repairs service from start to finish. They looked at every stage of the process, spoke with colleagues and contractors and identified what works well and where we can improve.
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Their recommendations focused on the issues residents tell us matter most: • Improving communication throughout a repair, from reporting it to the work being completed • Making it easier to track progress through My Peabody • Reducing cancelled appointments and repeat visits • Creating a more consistent experience across different repair services • Using resident feedback and repairs data to identify recurring issues sooner We're now reviewing each recommendation and using them to inform the next phase of improvements. We'll continue to update you on what we’re changing and how it’s improving the repairs service. Thank you to everyone who has shared their feedback, completed a survey or taken part in resident groups. Your feedback is helping us improve our repairs service.
An update from our Resident-Led Panel
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Welcome to our new Resident-Led Panel members We’ve welcomed six new members to the Resident-Led Panel (RLP). They are Abiola, Kevin, Melody, Rea-Renea, Troy and Vanessa. They join us alongside existing members Danny, Denise, Ingrid, John and Lisa. We work with Peabody to improve how residents are involved in decisions and to make sure residents’ voices help inform services. With new members on board, we’re looking forward to building on what we’ve already achieved. The new members represent communities across Peabody, including North Counties, North East London, North West London and South London. Having members from across our regions is really important and the new members bring this representation.
As they settle in, we’ll be using all our various skills in different areas to get to work. Over the next few months, we’ll be meeting more residents at local events, focus groups and through feedback projects. If you have the chance to get involved, we’d encourage you to take part. Peabody wants to work with residents and we’d urge you to take them up on that mission! Meanwhile, one of the RLP’s first priorities is sustainability. This includes environmental, financial and cost-of-living sustainability issues. If you’d like to be involved or find out more, please email get.involved@peabody.org.uk
An update from your South London Regional Forum What you've told us and what's happening next Your South London Regional Forum is where residents and colleagues come together to discuss local services, share experiences and help improve services. At our June meeting, you met with colleagues to talk about repairs, estate services and ways to improve how you can get involved.
Repairs and estate services You shared concerns about repairs, including delays, missed appointments and communication from contractors. You told us that cancelled repairs and a lack of updates can be frustrating, while building access issues can sometimes delay communal repairs. In response, we're reviewing how contractor appointment systems work, including automated calls and access arrangements for communal repairs. Residents were pleased our estates teams have been carrying out smaller communal repairs directly, helping to resolve issues more quickly. Communal areas are also being redecorated with more durable materials to improve their appearance and reduce future issues.
Bringing services closer to residents You told us that recent repairs days where you can get repairs sorted on the spot have made a real difference, helping to resolve long-standing issues and providing direct access to colleagues. Residents also highlighted the value of local wellbeing hubs and estate walkabouts, where issues can be identified and tackled early. As a result, we're increasing the number of repairs days. You also asked us to explore different locations for wellbeing hubs and trial resident walkabouts and inspections to help identify local priorities. We'll be taking this forward.
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Your voice is making a difference Residents heard about opportunities to get more involved, including a new Resident Data Panel that will help influence how Peabody uses data and artificial intelligence. There was also interest in the work of the Resident-Led Panel and a resident-led review of repairs, which is currently taking place. Residents also asked for a better understanding of how we decide who is offered a home. We'll also continue updating you on the progress we've made and the changes you've asked us to make.
Want to get involved? Come along to a Regional Forum to share your views and help improve services in your area. Find out when the next meeting is or join Peabody Voice. info.peabody.org.uk/forum-voice
From support to neighbourhood management: Malachi’s next chapter Residents at Burridge Gardens may already know Malachi’s friendly face, but what some might not know is the journey that brought him to his new role as Neighbourhood Manager. Before joining the Neighbourhood team, Malachi worked in our Care and Support service, supporting residents facing barriers or difficult circumstances. This experience taught him the importance of listening, building trust and helping people find solutions, skills he now brings to Burridge Gardens. Now, as Neighbourhood Manager, Malachi's role is to help residents with neighbourhood issues and work with the community to make Burridge Gardens a great place to live. 12
“What I enjoy most is getting to know residents and understanding what matters to them. It’s rewarding to work together to find solutions and help make Burridge Gardens a great place to live.” If you see Malachi around the estate, do say hello. He's always happy to chat and hear your ideas about the neighbourhood.
Parkside comes together for another Big Event Residents from across Parkside in Lewisham came together at Copperwood Place in July for a day of food, fun and community spirit at our annual Big Event.
“Now in its third year, the Big Event continues to show what makes Parkside such a special place to live. The enthusiasm, support and sense of community shown by residents helped make the day another great success.
The day was a celebration of the Parkside community. Guests enjoyed food from local café and community champion Pristine Eats, while getting involved in the fun throughout the day.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to everyone who helped organise and support the event behind the scenes. A big shout out to our resident group in the Parkside Resident Collective and the many residents who continue to support community events throughout the year.”
There was something for everyone, from crafts and dancing to games, music and even activities for four-legged friends. The event gave neighbours the chance to catch up, meet new people and enjoy time together.
Annmarie, Community Investment Manager
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Creating better community spaces with you Residents across our communities are enjoying the benefits of improved outdoor spaces, with new play areas, sports facilities and greener spaces creating more opportunities to play and spend time outdoors. At Southwark Street, residents have helped design a refurbished play area and ball court, which is now open. We worked with local people to make sure the improvements reflect what children, young people and families on the estate need.
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The project has also shown what the Southwark Street Tenant and Resident Association (TRA) can achieve. As one of Peabody's newer resident-led groups, it has brought neighbours together, raised local priorities and helped residents have their say. Residents also took part in a community planting session, creating a greener shared environment.
Residents at Marshalsea Douglas Buildings are enjoying a transformed courtyard with a new play area, an upgraded ball court and improved landscaping, including more planting and trees. Parking has also been improved, making the area safer, easier to access and more welcoming. Residents at Rosendale Road are also celebrating a new play space. In July, young residents and their families marked its official opening. The afternoon included face painting, games, a treasure hunt, bubbles, refreshments and ice creams, while children explored the new equipment and families caught up with neighbours. Like the improvements at Southwark Street and Marshalsea Douglas Buildings, the Rosendale Road play space was designed with residents' feedback, helping to make sure it meets the needs of local families. Working with you helps us create outdoor spaces that work better for everyone.
Wellbeing Hub brings community together at Rosendale The Wellbeing Hubs team recently hosted a wellbeing drop-in session at Rosendale Community Centre. Residents got the support they need and learned more about the Wellbeing Hub and other local services. Ten residents came along to talk about their health and wellbeing and learn about the support available. They also enjoyed Caribbean patties, fresh fruit and cold tropical drinks. With a heatwave in full swing, everyone received a free hand-held fan. Residents could also speak to Nichola from the Lambeth Together Health and Wellbeing team, who offered blood pressure checks, health advice and guidance on staying safe in the heat. Anja from A Touch of Gentleness also offered free hand massages.
What residents said “That was so relaxing. It really lifted my mood and made my day.” “It’s really welcoming here and I feel supported. This has really helped me.”
Visit a Wellbeing Hub near you or find out more info.peabody.org.uk/wellbeing-south
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My Peabody, your home Tap, track, tick Got a repair? Skip the hold music. My Peabody is the quickest and easiest way to manage your home, whenever it suits you. You can use My Peabody to: • Raise and track repairs • Pay your rent • Update your details • Find information about your home
Manage your home in minutes: info.peabody.org.uk/online-account
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Did you enjoy this edition of Home? We’d love your feedback. Tell us what you liked, what could be better and what you’d like to see next. Share your thoughts: info.peabody.org.uk/magazine-survey
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