www.spitalfieldsha.co.uk
Issue 43 | AUG 2026
Inside SHA Updates, news and information from your housing provider
COMMUNITY MULTICULTURAL EVENING Page 2
ENERGY EFFICIENCY - A GUIDE Page 5
MOULD & DAMPNESS - A GUIDE Page 5
KEEPING DRAINS CLEAR Page 6
HOW TO AVOID HOUSING RELATED SCAMS Page 3
Multicultural evening celebrating local talent at the Hason Raja Centre
Our community centre in Whitechapel recently hosted a vibrant multicultural evening celebrating song, poetry, music and dance. The programme featured Bengali and Ukrainian songs accompanied by live music, while poets from England, Ireland and the Americas shared original works. The event concluded with a lively Dhamail, a traditional folk song and dance from the Mymensingh and Sylhet regions of Bangladesh.
Read the article on the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/ multicultural-evening- celebrating-local-talent-the- hason-raja-centre
Stay safe: spotting housing-related scams see official ID before letting anyone inside. If you receive unexpected emails, phone calls, or visitors demanding immediate action, do not comply. When in doubt, shut the door or hang up, and contact SHA directly to verify the request.
Housing-related scams are increasingly common, but you can protect yourself by staying vigilant. Spitalfields Housing Association’s (SHA) golden rule is simple: never make sudden payments, share personal information, or grant access to your home unless you are absolutely certain of the person’s identity. Scammers often pose as legitimate contractors or housing officials to pressure tenants into handing over money or sensitive details. Always demand to
Read the full article on the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/stay-safe- spotting-housing-related-scams/
Spitalfields Housing Association Ltd | One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA | 020 7392 5400 | admin@spitalfieldsha.co.uk
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Keep your household details up to date
To help us better meet your needs, please ensure your household details are up to date. Housing providers regularly ask residents to keep their details up to date. To help SHA better understand your needs and deliver a more tailored service, please complete the short online form. It takes around five minutes and helps ensure we have the right information to support you appropriately. To access the Residents Information Update Form or to request a paper copy, follow the instructions via the QR code, or contact us today.
Read the full article and access the online forms on the SHA website, or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/residents- information-update-form/
Resident Training Programme
Learn new skills, build confidence, and strengthen your community.
improve wellbeing, and help residents play an active role in their community.
Want to gain new skills, boost your confidence, or make a real difference where you live? Our Resident Training Programme 2026 is under way to help you do just that. We offer free, practical courses for tenants and leaseholders, designed to support everyday life,
Read the full article on the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/resident- training-programme-may- october-2026/
Spitalfields Housing Association Ltd | One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA | 020 7392 5400 | admin@spitalfieldsha.co.uk
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Storing personal belongings in communal areas is prohibited
SHA strictly prohibits storing personal belongings in communal areas, primarily due to fire safety laws. The core rule is simple: inside your flat is for storage, while outside spaces—like corridors, stairwells, and balconies—are vital escape routes that must remain completely clear. Even small items like shoes, doormats, or bicycles, as well as larger hazards like prams, e-bikes, or rubbish, can obstruct evacuations and fuel fires. Due to tightened regulations post-Grenfell, SHA operates a zero-tolerance policy. Any items left in shared spaces will be removed immediately. Residents who violate this rule may face retrieval costs, fines up to £400, or tenancy enforcement action. Always store items inside your home or use approved, designated storage.
To read the full article, visit the SHA website or scan the QR code provided: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/storing- personal-belongings-in- communal-areas-is-prohibited/
Key factors in controlling noise
SHA emphasises that mutual consideration is key to maintaining a peaceful living environment. Residents must be mindful of daily noise levels by keeping televisions, music, and voices at reasonable volumes, especially during early mornings and late nights. You can minimise disturbances by adding soft furnishings, like rugs or thick carpets, which absorb impact sounds on hard floors. Noisy tasks like DIY, vacuuming, or running washing machines should only be done during sociable daytime How to keep noise to a minimum
hours. If neighbour noise becomes an issue, try communicating politely with them first before reporting persistent, unreasonable disturbances to SHA.
To read the full article, visit the SHA website or scan the QR code provided: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/key- factors-in-controlling-noise/
Everyday noise reduction at home
Being considerate with sound levels
Respecting quiet hours
Children & everyday living noise
Spitalfields Housing Association Ltd | One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA | 020 7392 5400 | admin@spitalfieldsha.co.uk
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Improving energy efficiency at home: A Guide for Tenants
SHA is taking further steps to support residents in saving money and lowering their energy costs. Working closely with both residents and staff, we have developed a helpful guide designed to encourage more energy-efficient living, while also supporting SHA’s journey towards Net Zero. Explore the full guide and discover practical ways to reduce your energy use by scanning the QR code below.
To read the full article, visit the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/improving- energy-efficiency-at-home-a- guide-for-residents/
Condensation, Damp and Mould: A Guide for Tenants
SHA treats all reports of damp and mould with the utmost seriousness. If you are concerned about damp or mould in your home or communal area, please contact us as soon as possible. We recognise that the responsibility of maintaining a healthy home requires open communication and timely action between tenants and landlords. With this in mind, SHA has produced the following guide to help tenants understand, identify, and reduce condensation, damp, and mould at the earliest stages.
To read the full article, visit the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/ condensation-damp-and- mould-a-guide-for-tenants/
Spitalfields Housing Association Ltd | One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA | 020 7392 5400 | admin@spitalfieldsha.co.uk
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SHA has joined the Tower Hamlets Climate Alliance SHA has joined the Tower Hamlets Climate Alliance, a new borough-wide initiative uniting local organisations, businesses, and communities to deliver coordinated, measurable climate action. The alliance provides a collaborative platform for sharing knowledge, working together, and driving meaningful, long-term change across Tower Hamlets.
Read the article on the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/sha-has- joined-the-tower-hamlets- climate-alliance/
Routine practices to help keep household drains clear
SHA advises residents to follow routine practices to prevent blocked or frozen household pipes. Key preventative measures include using strainers to catch hair and debris, running hot water weekly to clear soap residue, and never pouring oil or grease down the sink. Instead of using harsh chemical cleaners that can damage pipes, opt for a natural mix of baking soda and vinegar.
Watch for early warning signs like slow draining, bad odours, or gurgling sounds. Never aggressively use plungers or dismantle plumbing yourself. If preventative steps fail and blockages persist, contact SHA promptly to arrange a repair.
Read the full article on the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/routine- practices-to-help-keep- household-drains-clear/
How to keep drains clear
Avoid pouring grease or oil down the drain
Use drain strainers
Minimise hair going down the drain
Listen and watch for early signs
Spitalfields Housing Association Ltd | One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA | 020 7392 5400 | admin@spitalfieldsha.co.uk
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Understanding the differences between a boiler & Heat-Interface Unit
Children’s TV Star Konnie Huq supports charity Sports Fund Ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq and the Vallance Community Trust joined young athletes in welcoming the Executive Director of LEEDO from Dhaka, Bangladesh. The visit launched the Make a Difference Sports Fund, which supports street children in Dhaka by providing vulnerable children opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities. For all residents, understanding your heating system is important. A traditional boiler generates heat locally within your home by burning gas or using electricity to heat water for your taps and radiators. It requires a dedicated fuel supply and regular gas safety checks. In contrast, a Heat Interface Unit (HIU) does not generate heat itself. Instead, it connects your home to a central district heating network that serves the entire building. The HIU simply transfers centrally generated heat into your flat. This means no gas is needed inside your home, simplifying maintenance and often eliminating the need for annual flat-specific gas checks. All residents are expected to understand how heating works inside of their homes.
Read the full article on the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/ understanding-the-differences- between-a-boiler-and-heat- interface-unit/
Read the article on the SHA website or scan the QR code: spitalfieldsha.co.uk/childrens- tv-star-konnie-huq-supports- charity-sports-fund
Spitalfields Housing Association Ltd | One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA | 020 7392 5400 | admin@spitalfieldsha.co.uk
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Staying connected
At Spitalfields Housing Association, your comfort and well-being are our top priorities. We’ve made it easier for you to reach out to us, whether you need help with your tenancy, rent, or have any housing-related queries.
Ways to get in touch: • Online forms: Easily report repairs or make enquiries via the SHA website. • By phone: Speak directly with our customer service team during office hours (9.30am–5.30pm) on 020 7392 5400. • In-person: Visit us for face-to-face conversations or arrange an online meeting. • Callback requests: Short on time? Request a callback from one of our housing officers at your convenience.
Stay updated with SMS (text message):
We’re enhancing our communication through SMS for important updates and notifications. Please ensure your contact details are up to date by logging into the MyTenancy portal or contacting us directly. If you’ve forgotten your MyTenancy password, you can reset it via our website. For any assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help.
Local services available to you
Pest control T: 020 7364 5007 E: pest.control@towerhamlets. gov.uk Bulky waste collection (A free service for those on housing benefits) T: 020 7364 5004 For full services, visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk
Council tax T: 020 7364 5002 Housing benefits T: 020 7364 5000 Housing options T: 020 7364 7474
Adult social care (Tower Hamlets Connect) T: 0300 303 6070 E: enquiry@ towerhamletsconnect.org Children’s services (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Team) T: 020 7364 5006 E: mast@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Noise nuisance T: 020 7364 5000 E: environmental.protection @towerhamlets.gov.uk
Spitalfields Housing Association Ltd | One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA | 020 7392 5400 | admin@spitalfieldsha.co.uk
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