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Meet and Greet events for residents of Opendoor Homes 

This summer, our staff are visiting estates across Barnet as part of our 2026 series of Meet and Greets. At these events you will be able to: share feedback which we will act on, speak to Housing Officers and staff from Estates Services, report any repair issues, share concerns about anti-social behaviour and any ideas for local improvements you would like to see.

Staff from the following teams will be there: Repairs, Estates Services, BOOST, Community Engagement, Housing Management, Fire and Building Safety and Customer Experience.

Come and speak to us between 10am and 2pm at:

20 June 2026 – Gracie House/Prospect Ring
18 July 2026 – Montrose Avenue/ Blundell Road
15 August 2026 – Sheaveshill Court/Citrine -Peridot Lodge
19 September 2026 - Colindale Gardens

If you have any questions about any of the meetings, please email us on getinvolved@barnethomes.org 

Exploring Our Community: Resident Board Takes to the Streets! 

The Community Engagement Team recently hosted an action-packed tour of Barnet, giving Resident Board members a front-row seat to the exciting changes happening across our community. The day kicked off with staff sharing the vision for the regeneration of the Grahame Park Estate, followed by a tour of the Longford Court refurbishment and the Lower Fosters Estate. 
The afternoon continued with a visit to Grange Estate in Finchley and a final stop at our Opendoor Homes properties at Gracie House. 

It was an incredibly successful day, leaving everyone encouraged by the progress across the borough and clear on the priorities are for further improvement of services.

Resident Board member Janet, had this to say about the day, “The Tour was insightful and well worth attending. It was valuable to understand how decisions are made and the collaborative approach with partner agencies. It was encouraging to see the range of tenant journeys and the variety of homes residents are transitioning into. The tour also offered a meaningful perspective on social value initiatives in more deprived areas.

Get involved in shaping the services you receive

If you would like to be part of shaping and improving the services we provide, please complete our online registration Opendoor Homes link or email us on Resident get.involved@opendoorhomes.org

Get ready for The Barnet Group's 2026 Finest Flowers competition! 

This year’s Finest Flowers competition is fast approaching so get your applications in before the deadline. The deadline to enter is Friday 16 July 2026, with judging due to take place on Friday 31 July 2026.

Previous entrant and winner in the Best Community Garden category, Norman Alexander had this to say about why enters every year, “I do the gardening every year as a hobby as its good to be in the fresh air and keep active. I’m proud of my space as it gives me and the residents something nice to see and total strangers comment on it looking good.”

We are looking forward to receiving your entries in the following categories:

• Best front/back garden
• Best communal garden
• Best new gardener
• Best sheltered garden
• Best balcony/pots

If you want to be considered for one of the categories, simply fill in the form to apply

Happy gardening and good luck!
 

Paying your rent 

Please note that you can only pay your rent by monthly direct debit, bank standing order or bank transfer by using the details below or by debit/credit card by telephoning directly on 020 610 3538.  We strongly encourage payments to be made by monthly direct debit.  If you would like to pay by direct debit, please contact email us at Customercare@opendoorhomes.org

If you would prefer to pay by bank standing order, our bank details are:

Sort code: 09-02-22
Account number: 10672727
Beneficiary: TBG Open Door Ltd
Bank: Santander

Please ensure that your rent account number is quoted as the reference number when payments are made. It is nine digits long and begins with a ‘1’.

Be aware of distraction burglaries

The police are investigating three burglaries which have been committed in Barnet with a similar method. So far they have targeted addresses with elderly occupants, but we are encouraging all residents to be vigilant to this particular type of burglary.

The offenders are:

• Asking to check water quality or a water leak
• They will appear presentable and have good quality spoken English
• Will say they are from a reputable organisation such as the council or waterboard
• May produce an ID Lanyard or laminated sheet of paper
• Will take you to your kitchen and run a tap leaving the front door insecure
• May have previously visited to suggest an inspection

If anyone attends your home address unsolicited:

• Keep your door closed and speak to them through the door/remote doorbell
• Find a number either on the internet or phonebook for the company they are claiming to be from
• Call and verify their ID using that method
• If in doubt call 101, or 999 if that person is still at your door
• Do not let anyone into your house if you are unsure who they are
• If a police officer attends your house you can call 101 to verify their ID.

What to do if you have a safeguarding concern

A safeguarding concern is when you think someone who needs care or support may be at risk of abuse or neglect.

What to do

• Tell someone you trust (friend, family member, teacher, doctor, social worker, police).
• Ask them to help you report it.
• If you’re unsure, ask for advice.

If it’s urgent

• Call 999 if there is immediate danger
• Call 101 if it’s not urgent

In Barnet

• Children: Contact the MASH Team

Call 020 8359 4066

Email:  mash@barnet.gov.uk

• Adults: Contact the MASH Team

Call 020 8359 5000 (Mon–Fri, daytime)

Call 020 8359 2000 (out of hours)

DWP Alert - Don’t use private companies to apply for your benefits

We are aware of private companies offering to assist residents with disability benefit claims, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA).

At first glance, these services may appear helpful, as they offer support with claims and even appeals through to tribunal stage. However, many of these companies charge claimants excessively for their services. In some cases, they take more than half of a claimant’s backdated award and/or more than 60% of their ongoing weekly entitlement.

As a result, claimants are left continuing to struggle financially and are unable to access the support they need to manage their health conditions.

Tenants are advised to seek to seek free, trusted support from their nearest Citizens Advice hub or Barnet’s Welfare Benefits Team. There are also other free support services available across the borough that can provide assistance with benefit claims.

Quick links:

• Inclusion Barnet’s Touchpoint Service (020 3475 1305), which provides, free, practical advice for residents.
• Other free resources include Barnet Mencap (for people with disabilities/parents), 
• Help with Money (07902 605713), and 
• Citizens Advice Bureau – Hendon
• BOOST contact form – Barnet Homes  
• Claiming benefits | Barnet Council
• Barnet Homes Customer Service 020 8080 6587.

Please do not video our staff in your home

When our staff visit your home, they are there to carry out important work such as repairs, maintenance, inspections, or improvements, and they aim to deliver a professional and respectful service on every visit. Recently, however, we have seen an increase in situations where staff are being recorded while carrying out their duties. We would like to remind residents that this is not appropriate behaviour.

We understand that some residents may wish to keep a record of work taking place, but recording staff—especially without their knowledge or in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable—can be intrusive and unsettling. Our staff have the right to feel safe and respected while they work, and to carry out their role without added pressure or concern.

To help ensure visits run smoothly, we ask that residents do not record staff without their knowledge or agreement, raise any concerns openly and directly, and treat staff with courtesy at all times. If any issues arise during a visit, open communication is always the best way to resolve them.

Our staff are encouraged to prioritise their wellbeing. If they feel uncomfortable or believe they are being treated inappropriately—including being recorded—they may leave the property. This is to ensure that situations do not escalate and that everyone remains safe.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping to create a respectful environment for everyone involved.

Dangerous tumble dryer recalls

If you have a tumble dryer made by any of the following: Baumatic, Candy, Caple, Haier, Hoover, Iberna, Lamona or Montpellier, please read this urgent safety advice from the government. Some models of these tumble dryers have an increased risk of fire.

Quick links

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