Residents get extra help during Property Maintenance Week

Emanuel Whittaker operative Chris Lloyd came to the assistance of Justine Armitage, a resident on the Hollin Estate – just one of numerous jobs we carried out to help Rochdale residents

Regeneration and construction company Emanuel Whittaker is currently working to refurbish various properties for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) in Rochdale.

This week is National Property Maintenance Week and Contracts Director John Gallagher set a challenge to all site operatives to go the extra mile to assist RBH residents with any property maintenance issues they may have.

John said: “Last year it was our 175th anniversary and the challenge was to do 175 little acts of kindness and I had no doubts our RBH teams would rise to the occasion again.”

The site teams have let John know about additional small jobs they are doing for residents and he has been very impressed with the response.

Autumn and winter can be treacherous underfoot and so keeping paths and pavements clear is vital. “As the weather has taken a turn for the worst we have been using rock salt at the Hollin Estate in Middleton and at Stephenson Square to ensure residents don’t have any mishaps. Cat litter does the same job if you can’t find rock salt in the shops.”

In Holborn Street, Castleton, the Emanuel Whittaker team were re-wiring properties as part of the overall refurbishment contract. John said: “When a tenant explained she was having problems with an internal door, our operative Tony Greenwood was happy to to re-hang it for her. All part of the service.”

A resident at Roch Mills Crescent has recently had a rewire completed by Emanuel Whittaker and needed additional work to be carried out by RBH which meant having the kitchen ceiling removed and joists replaced. “This is obviously a major job and as the tenant worked full time she needed somebody to liaise between herself and the RBH team,” said John. “We were happy to hold her key and each day relay messages from one party to the other. The tenant was really grateful for our help as it provided her with peace of mind during the building work.”

On the Hollin Estate in Middleton, Emanuel Whittaker helped a resident to replace new fence panels she had purchased, a job she would not have been able to manage on her own.

John said: “Common concerns at this time of year are around condensation and frozen pipes and so during their day to day work inside properties, our teams were happy to provide common sense advice.

"Condensation can cause unsightly mould but you can ease the problem by opening a window or using an extractor fan when you’re cooking, by not drying clothes on radiators and by mopping window sills regularly. If you do have condensation mould you can wipe down the affected areas with a fungicidal (mould-killing wash) found in most DIY stores. After treating redecorate using a good-quality fungicidal paint.

"Everyone should know where their mains stoptap is located in order to avoid a potential water burst. It’s usually where the water pipe enters the house, under the kitchen skin, a downstairs toilet or at the side of a chimney breast."

“We have been delighted to give additional help to Rochdale residents this week,” said John. “Taking care of your home whether your own it or rent it is essential, especially during the winter months when winter weather can wreak havoc. Our help and advice has been much appreciated.”