A partnership between the residents and landlords in the Coltman st. Area.

An open Letter to all landlords/agents who own and manage properties in the area. We have to be realistic, crime in our society is impossible to eradicate, drug use and abuse exists in all areas and crosses all social classes. We however live in an area which currently has a high proportion of drug/alcohol abusers and although we should not tolerate dealing especially in the more dangerous drugs, and to children, we really do have to be realistic, addicts are victims too. They too are already members of our society and as such we must consider dealing with them in a more compassionate manner. If only because we have no other option.

IDEAS

In order to improve the image of our street we must tackle the problems we now have from as many directions as possible. This is one reason why we have invited representatives from several different authorities and related groups. We have had positive responses from all council departments and many small problems such as street lighting and paving have aready been tackled and sorted out. The environmental health department have been particularly helpful, especially during our clean up weekend. In the past there has been a tendancy towards mistrust for obvious reasons. But mistrust is one of the causes of the street’s present predicament. There have been many mistakes made in the past but it is now time before it’s too late to score a line under these mistakes and stop blaming the council/the police/the landlords and ask instead that they become our partners in the streets real regeneration.

It is a fact of life that in order to achieve our goals we must all consider the needs of other groups. Authorities need their credibility . This initiative therefore must benefit the authorities in the form of improved statistics etc. Homeowners want their properties to maintain or increase their value, and want to be free from the fear of crime. Tenants want to know that their landlords care. They want security and comfort at a reasonable price. Landlords make a living from renting out their properties. Any initiative we ask them to be part of must improve their chances of doing so. This is not to say that there are not open hearted people within these groups, we have already met several but we must be realistic. With realism we will achieve our goals in the form of a win-win situation. Any other approach is doomed to failure.

It is a fact of life that in order to achieve our goals we must all consider the needs of other groups. Authorities need their credibility . This initiative therefore must benefit the authorities in the form of improved statistics etc. Homeowners want their properties to maintain or increase their value, and want to be free from the fear of crime. Tenants want to know that their landlords care. They want security and comfort at a reasonable price. Landlords make a living from renting out their properties. Any initiative we ask them to be part of must improve their chances of doing so. This is not to say that there are not open hearted people within these groups, we have already met several but we must be realistic. With realism we will achieve our goals in the form of a win-win situation. Any other approach is doomed to failure.

Although it is quite natural for there to be some apathy in a street that has such an ‘interesting’ history, we now invite people to THINK AGAIN.

What do we want ? To live in a neighbourhood which is friendly, attractive and free from fear, To foster a community spirit.

How can you help us? By striving to put tennants into your properties who are sympathetic to and wish to aim for similar goals.

To re-balance the community by active encouragement of groups who are at present under represented in our community, eg, Families, middle aged and the elderly. Where possible to create longer term tennancies. Less single occupancy units.

Where possible to install security devices such as security deadlocks (especially to downstairs flats) these are cheap and highly effective in slowing down any intruder until the police have been called. They are especially effective used in conjunction with alarm systems.

Closed circuit television cameras. We already have some down the street. The more there are the more likely that the streets image will improve. even a ‘dummy’ helps as it makes the public more aware that something is being done. Perhaps installing a simple working camera (e.g.£90 from B&Q) and leaving it up to your tennants whether they wish to monitor it. We have a committee member who will help with installation free of charge and will advise you which types of camera are most suitable for your needs.

Alley Gates. Since this letter was originally written the Neighbourhood Watch has organised the gating off of many alleyways with snap to lock gates, handing out keys to immediate users of the alleyways..

Straight away you can put stickers up at the front and back windows of all of your unoccupied properties. You can also ask all your tenants to put a sticker up. Some may refuse. (You can draw your own conclusions)

By actively taking up references for prospective tennants. For inter-area movers check the state of their previous homes. Persistant problem tenants can often be identified this way saving you a great deal of trouble! Make cetain properties now empty guaranteed (as far as possible) drug and alcohol abuser free. This will reassure tennants that moving into the property is worth the risk.

By giving each of your new tenants a welcome pack (including Neighbourhood watch information and community newsletter.) containing information about what services they can expect from you and by keeping to those guarantees.

By keeping the fronts of your properties tidy and welcoming, perhaps providing nets curtain rails and curtains for front windows. Perhaps encouraging new tennants to take responsibility for garden areas. Maybe giving a small wage to your tenants who take this on.

By joining the landlords Association. We realise that many landlords already take great care of their tenants and those we would like to thank for their continuing belief in the street. We would like to encourage more of you into taking some small steps towards a larger initiative.

How can we help you? When a property becomes vacant you can let us know through either your local co- ordinator, the chairman or secretary. We will then keep an eye on your property (in a spirit of co-operation and as far as we are able) and inform you if there are any problems such as vandalism, littering/tipping squatting etc. In order to do this we will need your phone number and we will try not to ‘pester’you or pass on your number if you ask us not to do so. Just tell us what level of help/support you would like. we will introduce you to your local co-ordinator and you can discuss your needs with him/her.

We can positively advertise your properties as ‘To Let’ through our newsletter,this website, and through local information agencies, possibly to encourage an open day when you are prepared to put one or two of your properties ‘on show’. We can also call upon the press and radio etc, particularly appealing to sectors who are sympathetic to our/your aims and prepared to be part of or not averse to the neighbourhood watch. These types of people should also be by and large more likely to respect your property, pay their rent and ultimately become part of a community in which your property becomes more valuable and sought after.

In order to appeal to these people we do have to have your support, a partnership for the good of the whole. A community where we can cope with, rather than be dragged down by those groups who in the past we have seen as ‘the problem’. If you are interested in being part of this partnership, wish to be kept informed, ask for help with closed circuit TV or just recieve information packs for your new tenants could you please email us at:-village@coltmanstreet.co.uk
If you would like to talk about policing matters please talk to Les Smith:- 897715