<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/rss/xslt"?>
<rss xmlns:a10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0">
  <channel>
    <title>Curo News</title>
    <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/</link>
    <description />
    <generator>Articulate, blogging built on Umbraco</generator>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24821</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/facebook-live-feb26-recording/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Facebook LIVE Feb26 recording</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Thanks to everyone that joined us at the Facebook Live session on 18 February. It was great to host one of these lively interactive sessions again and we were really pleased with the number of customers getting involved with questions and comments. Please join us again for our next Facebook LIVE in April.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the hot seat this time was Chief Operating Officer, Julie Evans, and our Director of Property Safety &amp;amp; Compliance, Tom Battersby. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Catch up with the session below - topics covered include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The length of notice Curo must give to tenants before visiting your home&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Fire safety and safety audits, including advice for flats&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Downsizing to a smaller home&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Pest control&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sinking funds&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Curo’s plans for its garage sites.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/FqChlaoXZJU?t=00m11s" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="720" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;iframe width="720" height="405" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FqChlaoXZJU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" title="Curo FB Live 18/02/26"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:06:09 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-02-20T10:06:09Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24819</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/rent-and-service-charges-from-6-april-2026/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Rent and service charges from 6 April 2026</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Updated information about rent and service charges for the coming year is currently landing on doormats and in inboxes. You may be wondering why changes are happening, and what they cover.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How we set your rent&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Each year we have to use a formula set by the Government to work out how much rents need to change. The formula uses the rate of inflation, which affects everyone that pays for goods and services. So, an increase in costs, for example energy and contractors, have pushed up the cost of services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your rent goes towards the services we provide &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The rent you pay goes towards improving homes and making them safe, as well as the services we provide for you. If we didn’t increase rent, we’d need to cut back on investing in homes and services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You’ll need to take action if you receive Universal Credit towards the cost of your rent&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There’s more information on this in your rent letter. It’s important you don’t take any action yet. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for a reminder nearer the time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It’s a good time to review the benefits you receive &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As rents are changing, it may affect the benefits you receive. So, it’s a good time to check all your details are up to date and you’re receiving all the money you’re entitled to. There’s some helpful information here &lt;a href="/residents/rent-money-matters/benefit-and-budgeting-calculators/"&gt;Benefit and budgeting calculators&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If you pay by Direct Debit, you’ll get another letter soon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’re sending you a separate letter about your weekly or monthly payment schedule – you don’t need to do anything it’s just for information.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If you’re a leaseholder or shared owner, you’ll receive details about your service charges for the year ahead&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Service charges include things like repairs, cleaning and grass cutting.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Each April, we estimate what these services will cost. Then, at the end of the year, we work out the actual cost and make a charge or a credit to the property for any difference.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Money worries? Please get in touch&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We understand everyone is affected by rising costs, and talking to someone can often help with any worries you have. There’s help available whether you’re a Curo tenant or own your home.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you’re a tenant, you can contact our supportive Money Advice Team. Call 01225 366316 or email customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We know it can be hard to ask for help, but you’ll get a supportive and sympathetic response from our amazing colleagues - someone able to offer practical help to improve your situation. They’re experts at dealing with financial difficulty and are trained to help with problems with debt, including money owed to loan sharks.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They can also make sure you’re getting all the money you’re entitled to.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Other help and advice are also available&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There’s also other independent organisations below you can speak to for free about a variety of topics, visit &lt;a href="/help-and-advice/"&gt;Help and advice&lt;/a&gt; for more details.&lt;a href="/help-and-advice/"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Citizens Advice &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Bath Citizens Advice: citizensadvicebanes.org.ukBristol Citizens Advice: bristolcab.org.uk&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;North Somerset Citizens Advice: nscab.org.uk&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Wiltshire Citizens Advice: cabwiltshire.org.uk&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice: southgloscab.org.uk&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;North Somerset Citizens Advice: nscab.org.uk&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Debt &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Debt Advice Foundation: debtadvicefoundation.org Call: 0800 043 4050&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Step Change: stepchange.org Call: 0800 138 1111&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;National Debt Line: nationaldebtline.org Call: 0808 808 4000&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;PayPlan: payplan.com Call: 0800 316 1833&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stop Loan Sharks: stoploansharks.co.uk Call: 0300 555 2222 Email:  &lt;a href="mailto:reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk"&gt;reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Government Money Helper Service&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Money Helper: moneyhelper.org.uk Call: 0800 138 7777 Webchat, WhatsApp and an Online form are also available&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credit Unions &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Great Western Credit Union - open to all Curo residents. Email: &lt;a href="mailto:info@gwcu.org.uk"&gt;info@gwcu.org.uk&lt;/a&gt; Call: 0117 924 7309&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Westcountry Savings &amp;amp; Loans Email: &lt;a href="mailto:mail@westcountry.org.uk"&gt;mail@westcountry.org.uk&lt;/a&gt; Call: 0800 304 7041&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Universal Credit &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;uk/universal-credit Call: 0800 328 5644 Text phone: 0800 328 1344&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:22:25 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-02-17T09:22:25Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24809</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/scam-calls-feb-2026/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Scam Calls Feb 2026</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/yullgpoe/gettyimages-2255939929.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=375" alt="Image showing a mobile phone screen with alerts for a possible scam call" width="750" height="375" data-udi="umb://media/3db317c3aac4401d8525b250b6391b19"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Scam calls have become a frustrating part of modern life, but you don’t need to be an expert to stay safe. With a few simple habits, you can confidently deal with unexpected calls and avoid falling into common traps.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why scam calls happen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Scammers usually call people to get something valuable, such as money or personal information. They often pretend to be from organisations you trust. For example, banks, delivery companies, government departments, even tech support.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common signs of a scam call&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. Pressure to act immediately. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to get you to react without thinking things through.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;2. Requests for Personal Information. If a caller asks for:&lt;br&gt;• Passwords&lt;br&gt;• PINs&lt;br&gt;• One-time passcodes&lt;br&gt;• Bank details&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;…it’s a red flag. Genuine companies don’t ask for sensitive information out of the blue.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3. Unexpected calls about money. Be cautious if someone calls about:&lt;br&gt;• Refunds you weren’t expecting&lt;br&gt;• Competitions you didn’t enter&lt;br&gt;• Bills you’ve never seen&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If it sounds too good, or too bad, to be true, it probably is.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;4. Caller ID that looks real. Scammers can “spoof” numbers, so they seem to come from your bank or a local business. Don’t rely on the number alone.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What you can do to protect yourself&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. Pause before responding. You’re allowed to take your time. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;2. Hang up, it’s not rude. You can always end the call. If you’re unsure, hang up and call the organisation back using a number from their official website. Don’t just call the same number back.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3. Never share sensitive information. Your bank, mobile provider, and government departments will never ask for:&lt;br&gt;• Your PIN&lt;br&gt;• Your full password&lt;br&gt;• Remote access to your device&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;4. Use call-blocking tools. Most smartphones and phone providers offer:&lt;br&gt;• Scam call filtering&lt;br&gt;• Block lists&lt;br&gt;• “Silence unknown callers” features&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These can help to reduce unwanted calls.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;5. Check and report suspicious calls. Reporting helps protect others. If you’re not sure they’re who they say they are, you can check the number online using Google, or another search engine, or on a website such as '&lt;a href="https://who-called.co.uk/" title="Who called me"&gt;who called me&lt;/a&gt;'. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If they say they’re from Curo, you can call us on 01225 366000 to check.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If you think you’ve been targeted&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Don’t panic. It can happen to anyone, and doing the following quickly can stop further issues:&lt;br&gt;• Stop communication with the caller&lt;br&gt;• Contact your bank if you shared financial details&lt;br&gt;• Change any passwords you may have mentioned&lt;br&gt;• Report the incident to the appropriate authority&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Find out more about different types of scams on the &lt;a href="https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/" title="UK Finance Take Five website"&gt;UK Finance Take Five website&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:29:19 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-02-12T16:29:19Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24697</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/support-available-this-christmas/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Support available this Christmas</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Christmas can be a magical time, it can also be hard, stressful and very expensive.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our &lt;a href="/residents/rent-money-matters/life-hacks-were-here-to-help/customer-accounts-were-here-to-help/"&gt;Customer Accounts Team&lt;/a&gt; are here to help any Curo customers experiencing a difficult time financially. So, If you’re not sure where the money’s coming from to cover the essentials, the Christmas extras and the rent this month, please get in touch. Call 01225 366316 or email &lt;a href="mailto:customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk"&gt;customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We know it can be hard to ask for help, but you’ll get a supportive and sympathetic response from one of our amazing colleagues - someone able to offer practical help to improve your situation. They’re experts at dealing with financial difficulty and are trained to help with problems arising from debt, including money owed to loan sharks.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They can also make sure you’re getting all the money to which you’re entitled. They're also incredibly well connected and can put you in touch with a huge range of local services offering support and advice. In Bath &amp;amp; North East Somerset, that includes a &lt;a href="https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/warm-spaces-directory?field_warm_places_facilities_target_id%5B116%5D=116" data-anchor="?field_warm_places_facilities_target_id%5B116%5D=116"&gt;network of warm spaces&lt;/a&gt; and a service to find &lt;a href="https://www.banesfoodfinder.org.uk/"&gt;affordable or emergency food.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Connect Bath will offer Christmas lunch to 150 local people who would otherwise be alone at Christmas. You can find out more about &lt;a href="https://www.connect-bath.org/#:~:text=Connect%20Bath%20provides%20events%20and,through%20conversation%2C%20connection%20and%20companionship" data-anchor="#:~:text=Connect%20Bath%20provides%20events%20and,through%20conversation%2C%20connection%20and%20companionship"&gt;how to apply and how to volunteer on their website&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your local council hosts a directory of services and advice to tackle cost of living pressures - follow the links to find out more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/cost-living-support/cost-living-support" target="_blank"&gt;Live Well Bath &amp;amp; North East Somerset&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/benefits-support/cost-living-advice-guidance"&gt;North Somerset&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/people-and-communities/cost-of-living-support"&gt;Bristol City Council&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:05:13 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-12-05T17:05:13Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24098</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/what-happens-during-a-damp-and-mould-survey/</link>
      <category>news</category>
      <category>damp and mould</category>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <title>What happens during a damp and mould survey?</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;&lt;span&gt;When you get in touch to let us know that there’s a problem with damp, mould or condensation in your home you’ll be asked some questions by a member of our customer contact team, and they’ll ask you to send in some photos, if possible.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;All the information you provide will be handed to our specialist damp and mould team, who will use it to help work out some possible causes of the problem, and how serious it is.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In the most serious cases a survey is completed and work started within seven days. Cases that are believed to be less serious will usually get a visit from a surveyor within 10 days (although this may vary depending on the impact that the issue is having), with work starting no more than a week after that. You’ll always be notified of the date for your surveyor appointment in advance.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/ubxha31t/gettyimages-1421538142.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Surveyor inspecting damp in shower room" width="750" height="503.42951750236523" data-udi="umb://media/77706fa6fd734f058367088bbcd36dc0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Before a surveyor visits they will have read all the details from your report, and looked at the photographs.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;On the day of your survey, please don’t do anything different to usual, like opening windows or putting the heating on if it’s not something you’d normally do at that time.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;When the surveyor arrives they’ll ask to see the affected areas and they’ll take accurate temperature and humidity readings in the room. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If there’s an extractor fan they’ll measure how effectively it’s working to see if it needs servicing or replacing.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;They will look at where the radiators are in the room to see if they are in the best position.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The surveyor may also ask to look in other rooms of the house to carry out the same checks. They won’t go into any rooms without your permission.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;When they’ve finished inside they’ll go outside your home to look at the walls and roof, and see if there are any indications that the problem might be coming from outside, such as leaking guttering.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Before the surveyor leaves, they’ll talk to you about what they’ve found and about any work that they think needs to be done. This could include carrying out a mould wash, moving a radiator, installing new extractor fans, or even improving the insulation.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;They’ll also offer advice on things you might be able to do to help, such as moving furniture away from walls, opening trickle vents in the windows, and using your heating more efficiently. They’ll give you a hygrometer (a device to measure humidity), and show you how to use it.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The appointment will usually take between 30 minutes and 2 hours. You’ll receive a copy of the survey within two working days, which will include all the surveyor’s recommendations. A Curo colleague will then be in touch with appointment dates for any agreed work.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:50:39 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-01-13T15:50:39Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24096</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/dealing-with-damp-and-mould-our-commitment-to-you/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Dealing with damp and mould – our commitment to you</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;&lt;span&gt;We understand that damp and mould is a concern for many of our customers. We take all reports of damp and mould seriously, and as part of our vision to ensure that by 2034 everyone feels proud about about the quality of their home, we’re committed to tackling any cases that arise.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;That’s why we’ve made &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/living-in-your-home/condensation-mould/dealing-with-damp-and-mould-our-promise-to-curo-customers/"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"&gt;a promise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; to our customers about how we’ll deal with damp and mould cases.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This promise includes:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;To treat all reports of damp and mould seriously and as health and safety issues, not property repair requests.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;To open a case for every diagnosed occurrence of damp and mould, and to keep this case open until everyone’s satisfied that the problem is fixed.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;To prioritise cases where there are people living in a home who have health concerns or other vulnerabilities that could be made worse by mould.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;We’ll take a caring and supportive approach, recognising that having mould in a home can be distressing.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;To carry out any repairs needed because of damp and mould as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise damage. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW6500208 BCX8"&gt;You can read the full commitment on the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="/residents/living-in-your-home/condensation-mould/" target="_blank" class="Hyperlink SCXW6500208 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW6500208 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"&gt;Condensation and Mould web page&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW6500208 BCX8"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Earlier this year we also published our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="/about-us/our-policies/tackling-damp-mould-and-condensation-policy/" title="Tackling Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"&gt;Damp and Mould policy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;a href="/about-us/our-policies/tackling-damp-mould-and-condensation-policy/" title="Tackling Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy"&gt;.&lt;/a&gt; This policy was created in consultation with customers who were asked to fill out a survey, and take part in working groups.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Building on the promise, this policy sets out in more detail how we will tackle damp and mould cases, and how we can support customers to help make sure any mould does not return. It also explains how we will deal with complaints about damp and mould, and how we will measure how successful we’ve been in dealing with any issues.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW163256404 BCX8"&gt;If you have damp and mould in your home, you can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="/contact-us/report-it/" target="_blank" class="Hyperlink SCXW163256404 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW163256404 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"&gt;report it online&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW163256404 BCX8"&gt; through &lt;a href="/contact-us/mycuro-customer-portal/" title="MyCuro customer portal"&gt;MyCuro&lt;/a&gt; or call our Customer Contact Team on 01225 366000.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:23:23 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-01-13T15:23:23Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24095</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/damp-mould-and-condensation-what-s-the-difference/</link>
      <category>news</category>
      <category>damp and mould</category>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <title>Damp, mould and condensation – what’s the difference?</title>
      <description>&lt;h3 aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1"&gt;Damp&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h4 aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"&gt;What causes damp?&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Damp is usually caused by some sort of structural issue with the building. For example, a leaking roof, leaking internal waste or supply pipework, failed damp course. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The first sign of this will probably be blistering of plasterwork at skirting board level, bowing plasterwork or visible staining or water runs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you see this in your home, &lt;a href="/contact-us/" title="Contact us"&gt;please get in touch.&lt;/a&gt; If you are able to take pictures of the affected areas and send them to us then that is also helpful.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"&gt;What can be done about it?&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;One of our specialist surveyors will visit your home and carry out a detailed inspection to diagnose the issue and establish what is causing the damp. They will then book in any work that needs doing to complete the repair. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h3 aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1"&gt;Condensation&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h4 aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"&gt;What causes condensation?&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Condensation happens when warm, moist air meets cold surfaces. That’s why it’s more common in cold houses and in the winter. It’s also the most common cause of mould in homes.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Warm air can be produced from everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes – and even breathing! In fact, the average family produces around 20 pints of moisture a day from breathing.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Condensation can be a particular problem in old houses. This is because they are often harder to keep warm, but also simply because they were not built to accommodate modern ways of living.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;It wasn’t until the 1960s that things like showers and tumble dryers started to become common fixtures in homes, and whilst adding energy saving solutions such as double glazing, cavity wall insulation, blocking up draughty old fireplaces might have helped to reduce heating bills, a lack of ventilation can make condensation worse as there’s less opportunity for the building to “breathe”.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you have condensation then you might notice wet walls, peeling wallpaper, mildew, a musty smell on clothes or furniture, or spots of black mould.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"&gt;Can it be prevented?&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The best way to stop condensation forming is to keep your home warm, and manage humidity levels by ensuring it is well ventilated.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Using the heating on a programmer/timer is more efficient than turning the heating on for an hour and then switching it off&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;It’s recommended not to let the temperature drop below 16°C, and ideally keep it at around 21°C. Keeping the heating on at a low level is more energy efficient than letting rooms get very cold and then warming them up. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A good example to illustrate this is to think about boiling a kettle for a cup of tea. You switch the kettle on, and it takes a few minutes, and a lot of energy to get the water from cold to boiling point. If you turn the kettle back on after 15 minutes because the water is still warm it only takes a few seconds to get back to boiling point. The same principle applies to central heating. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If there are trickle vents in your windows, keep them open, and make sure extractor fans are always switched on. Many modern fans Curo install are controlled by a humidistat, which works by providing a constant trickle to provide ventilation throughout the day and night. When the humidistat senses an increase in humidity (maybe through cooking or showering, for instance) it will then automatically boost to a higher level until the humidity is at an acceptable level again. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Drying clothes on radiators can also make condensation worse, and although it’s difficult to dry clothes effectively in some properties, such as flats, it’s better to use a cheap drying rack in a cooler room, such as the bathroom where you can open a window and use an extractor fan. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;There are lots of tips about how to help prevent condensation on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/living-in-your-home/condensation-mould/"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"&gt;this page&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; of our website.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"&gt;What can be done about it?&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you notice minor wet patches on the wall, then wipe them down as soon as possible, and if you’re worried about it then &lt;a href="/contact-us/" title="Contact us"&gt;please report it to us&lt;/a&gt; and we can arrange for a visit to check and diagnose the cause of the problem. We can then either arrange for remedial works if necessary, or provide you with advice about how you can manage the problem effectively.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you see signs of mould, particularly around door and window frames, then wipe them down and treat it with an anti-mould product. There are many brands easily available from supermarkets, DIY shops, and online which are safe and easy to use at home.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If there is a lot of mould, please get in touch and our damp and mould team can help remove it. It’s important to remember though that it will keep coming back if you don’t keep your home warm and ventilated.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;We may be able to look at your extractor fans to make sure they are operating correctly or upgrade the fans if necessary to help with ventilating your home more effectively.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You can also use a hygrometer to help monitor the humidity in your home. A hygrometer can help you keep track of when the humidity is reaching levels that could cause condensation so you can act – such as putting on the heating or opening a window – to try to prevent it. Curo can give you a free hygrometer, pop into the reception at The Maltings and you can pick one up, or alternatively we can send one to you through the post.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38872390 BCX8"&gt;If you are having trouble paying your heating bills, then &lt;a href="/contact-us/" title="Contact us"&gt;please get in touch&lt;/a&gt; and we will try to support you.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h3 aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1"&gt;Mould&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h4 aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"&gt;What causes mould?&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Mould spores are always present in the atmosphere, and will grow wherever there is moisture, food and the right temperature for it to flourish. As we live in a humid country, it’s very common – especially in bathrooms, kitchens and around windows. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Condensation or leaking pipework is the primary cause of mould. Mould does not generally grow where there is either rising damp or penetrating damp as the moisture in these cases is likely to contain slats or sulphates that are poisonous to mould.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"&gt;What can be done about it?&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If your mould is being caused by damp, then investigating the matter and treating the cause of the problem is key, and treating the mould using specialist products should get rid of it.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If it’s being caused by condensation, then keeping your home warm and well ventilated is the only way to keep it at bay.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;While in small amounts mould is not normally problematic it’s important to try to clean it regularly to stop it building up.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you have large areas of mould that need treating, then please let us know and our damp and mould team may be able to help.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You can find more information about condensation, damp and mould on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/living-in-your-home/condensation-mould/"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"&gt;this page&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you have damp and mould in your home then you can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="/contact-us/report-it/"&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"&gt;report it online&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:07:15 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-01-13T15:07:15Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24093</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/introducing-our-damp-and-mould-team/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Introducing our Damp and Mould team</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;&lt;span&gt;We know that damp and mould is a problem &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;across the sector &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;in homes al&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;l over the country, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;and our customers’ homes are no different&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;At Curo,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt; we’re&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; committed to tackling the issue so that everyone can feel proud about the quality of their home.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;That’s why we’ve created a new team, entirely focused on dealing with damp, mould and condensation.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The ten-strong team includes a&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt; specialist surveyor, plumbers, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;skilled tradespeople, as well as an operational manager, team leader and office support.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;Colleagues visiting customers’ homes have been&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; equipped with hi-tech equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, to help them get to the root of the problem, and solve it, more quickly.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/2mvfnicq/dm-team.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=640&amp;amp;height=480" alt="" width="640" height="480" data-udi="umb://media/a0462be53250413aa3dfbf887b110376" data-caption="Curo's Damp and Mould Team"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;Curo's Damp and Mould Team&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The team can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;do&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; all kinds of work, from mould washes to remove and kill spores from walls, to moving radiators, installing extractor fans, laying insulation and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt; carrying out&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span&gt;major roof repairs.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Since the team was formed at the start of September, they have dealt with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;over &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;250 cases in our customer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;s’&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; homes, all within the timescales &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;set by the government, p&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;ublished under Awa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;b&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;b’s Law.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Any damp, mould or condensation problems that are reported are now referred straight to this specialist team. In the most serious cases a survey is completed and work started within seven days. Cases that are believed to be less serious will get a visit from a surveyor within 14 days, with work starting no more than a week after that. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Once work is complete, a member of the team will then contact the customer four weeks later to check that there’s no signs of the mould coming back. If it seems that the problem hasn’t been resolved then they’ll try another course of action. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Director of Property Maintenance and Building Safety, Luke McCreery, said: &lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;“We’re very pleased to have been able to create this new team, dedicated to tackling an issue which we know can be distressing to our customers.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;“The new team will take full ownership of each case, seeing it through from start to finish ensuring with find the root cause of the issue”&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;“We hope that customers reporting damp and mould problems will now see the issue being dealt with quickly and efficiently.”&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If you need to report an issue with condensation and mould in your home, please call 01225 366600, or &lt;a href="/contact-us/mycuro-customer-portal/" title="MyCuro customer portal"&gt;report it using MyCuro.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="/contact-us/mycuro-customer-portal/" title="MyCuro customer portal"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:02:17 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-01-13T14:02:17Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24009</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/the-pantry-has-permanently-closed/</link>
      <category>News</category>
      <category>Community</category>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>The Pantry has permanently closed</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The Pantry, our food bank and support service in Midsomer Norton, has permanently closed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Unfortunately, the building is no longer safe to use.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We know this will be disappointing for many customers, and we’re trying to find an alternative venue.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you need any help with buying food or paying your bills, please get in touch with our Customer Accounts team on 01225 366000 or email &lt;a href="mailto:customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk" title="Email Customer Accounts for help and advice"&gt;customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:47:58 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-12-10T11:47:58Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">24000</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/stay-safe-this-christmas/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Stay safe this Christmas</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Christmas is a time for celebration, but fairy lights, trees, candles, and even cooking, can be potential hazards if you’re not careful.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here’s a few tips to help make sure you and your family stay safe this Christmas.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fairy lights&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Before putting up your lights check them for any damage, including the lights, plug and connections. It’s also a good idea to check that they have the right fuse fitted. The box should tell you the maximum size of the fuse.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/xnwdwh1d/gettyimages-1045212712.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=500" alt="Colourful bundle of fairy lights" width="750" height="500" data-udi="umb://media/1f3b6cbd2763479e964ff0e7c955dbfc"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you find any broken wires or bulbs, don’t use them — recycle them responsibly instead.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It’s especially important to check for damage if have older style lights (240V mains powered lights). Blown bulbs not only increase the risk of electric shocks but also cause other bulbs to overheat, making them dangerous near flammable materials such as Christmas trees and decorations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're still using older lights, make sure you replace blown bulbs immediately and always turn the power off before changing them.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Low-voltage LED fairy lights are safer, more energy-efficient, and longer-lasting. LED lights remain cool to the touch, are less likely to break, and significantly reduce fire risks. They are safe to use around Christmas trees, fabrics, and children, making them an ideal choice for your home decorations. Plus, they use 90 per cent less electricity than the old-style lights which will help keep energy costs down.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Always turn your lights off when you go out, and before you go to bed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When buying new lights, check that they have the British Standard Safety sign.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wire, cables and plugs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;LED lights are safer, but not entirely without risk. The transformer can get warm, so make sure you put it somewhere where air can circulate around it rather than near or under carpets or furniture that might trap the heat and make it more likely to overheat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/tvdgp5tc/gettyimages-1741409075.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=500" alt="Overloaded plug socket" width="750" height="500" data-udi="umb://media/fe67469b93624ef598d9d4efd30b59c4"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When plugging in your lights, don’t overload the sockets by using too many extension cables or multi-socket adapters. If you are using an extension cable make sure it’s fully extended or unravelled to avoid overheating, and don’t plug on into another.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Avoid trailing cables across the floor as they could be a trip hazard.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Outdoor lights&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/bxle0git/gettyimages-137454691.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="House with Christmas lights outside" width="750" height="593.5251798561152" data-udi="umb://media/194dd60bd5134abfa06e5520244b1fc4"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you’re putting up lights outside, consider using an RCD (Residual Current Device). These can be bought online or from DIY stores, and will automatically cut off the electricity if there’s a fault.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Candles &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Never put candles near your Christmas tree, or anything that could catch alight easily such as Christmas cards or homemade decorations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/duxdfzxo/gettyimages-1427582652.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=500" alt="Christmas candle wreath" width="750" height="500" data-udi="umb://media/e6222f1bebee4462b54cf343ba673a3d"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Make sure any candles are fully out before you go to bed, and never leave a burning candle unattended.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Keep candles and lighters out of reach of children.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Smoke and heat detectors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your detectors will be checked as part of your annual home safety check, but it’s a good idea to check them regularly yourself too. You can do this by pressing the test button on the alarm, which will sound if it’s working correctly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/yr4dzjup/gettyimages-1332514392.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Smoke detector with smoke" width="750" height="476.30004601932814" data-udi="umb://media/a63c7dc2a48f4a1a88f70c1a237d6fdc"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you think that yours aren’t working please let us know by calling 01225 366600 or &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="/contact-us/mycuro-customer-portal/" title="MyCuro customer portal"&gt;by visiting MyCuro.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Going away this Christmas?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're going to be away from home over Christmas there's a few steps you can take to help keep your home safe and also save some money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're going away overnight it's a good idea to turn off all non-essential appliances (things like TVs, games consoles, and even microwaves) at the plug.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Make sure you always turn off your fairy lights and any other decorations whenever you go out - even if you're only planning to be away from home for a short time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You should also make sure that you've closed all the doors in your home. This will help contain heat if you have the heating on, and it can also help slow the spread of a fire if one breaks out while you're out. Always make sure that any fire doors are closed when not in use and don't have any damage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Find out more&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information about fire safety in your home visit our &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/safety-at-home/fire-safety/"&gt;fire safety web pages&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There’s more advice on fire safety at Christmas on the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-tips-for-christmas"&gt;government website&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;and on the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/christmas-safety/"&gt;Fire Service website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 09:34:32 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-12-02T09:34:32Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">22621</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/universal-credit-and-the-53-week-year/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Universal Credit and the 53-week year</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that customers who receive Universal Credit will need to pay an extra week’s rent in March 2025. This is despite Curo campaigning alongside the National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations, to ask the DWP to change a rule behind the additional payment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The payment is due because in a normal year Universal Credit pays for 52 weeks of rent. There are 52 Mondays in a normal year, meaning 52 weekly charges. But every five to six years, there are 53 Mondays in a year instead. 2024/25 is one of those years. The issue is that Universal Credit payments only recognise 52 weeks of rent. Customers on Universal Credit will need to pay this extra week themselves.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T7hKOITxJUc?si=SBRpikkgaSCumm9q" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you receive Universal Credit, please contact us. Our Money Advice team has access to grants and funds that can help you pay for this extra week. Don’t wait until next year, get in touch now so that we can find you a solution and put your mind at rest. &lt;a href="tel: 01225366000"&gt;Call us on 01225 366000&lt;/a&gt;, or &lt;a href="mailto:customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk"&gt;email: customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 15:28:03 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-08T15:28:03Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">22382</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/help-to-quit/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Help to quit</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Have you pledged to give up smoking in 2024? Free local support is available.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you live or work in Bath and North East Somerset or your GP is based in BANES you can be referred to the &lt;a href="https://communitywellbeinghub.co.uk/"&gt;Community Wellbeing Hub&lt;/a&gt;. One of the experienced and friendly advisors from their Specialist Stop Smoking team will offer you a package of help to quit. This includes six appointments providing behavioural support which can be delivered face to face, by telephone or video link. This is combined with a prescription of nicotine replacement treatment, for example patches or gum.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can refer yourself to the Specialist Stop Smoking team by contacting the Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 2470050 or &lt;a href="mailto:BATHNES.thehub@hcrgcaregroup.com"&gt;BATHNES.thehub@hcrgcaregroup.com&lt;/a&gt;. Or ask a health professional, such as your doctor or health visitor, to refer you. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The service also offers free vape starter kits to enable smokers to switch from tobacco to vaping. A national Government scheme will extend the offer of free vape kits in 2024 to more smokers with the aim of boosting the number of people who quit.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Across BANES, 11.5% of people currently smoke, compared with 12.7% across the whole of England. Recent evidence indicates that the decades long decline in smoking in England has virtually stopped since the pandemic. While bigger numbers were quitting during the pandemic, this has been counteracted by a rise in young people taking up smoking, particularly 18-24-year-olds.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As well as stopping smoking, the Community Wellbeing Hub offers a wide range of other services, including weight management support, diabetes education, help with mental health and referral to physical activity providers, such as gyms. So if you’ve resolved to improve your wellbeing this year, it’s worth getting in touch.  &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 2024 14:40:17 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-01-02T14:40:17Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">21914</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/curo-s-money-advice-service-puts-11m-in-customers-pockets/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Curo’s Money Advice service puts £1.1m in customers’ pockets</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Curo’s Money Advice service has put more than £1.1 million into customers’ pockets over the past year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;An experienced and friendly team of advisors work in-house at Curo. They use their in-depth knowledge of budgeting, debt management, benefits and grants to help customers manage their finances and access money they wouldn’t otherwise get.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img alt="Sarah Rogers, Customer Accounts Manager" src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/100004155/sarah-rogers-1.jpg?width=301&amp;amp;height=452" data-id="21780" style="width: 301px; height: 452px;"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“The team are delighted that we’ve been able to help ease the financial pressures on our customers,” says Sarah Rogers, Customer Accounts Manager at Curo &lt;em&gt;(pictured)&lt;/em&gt;. “Our Money and Benefit Advice services have been a real lifeline for customers during the current Cost of Living crisis, which has seen many struggling with soaring food and energy prices. These figures speak for themselves in showing how the service supports our customers into a better financial place. It’s life-changing for many.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Transforming finances&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Money Advice service helped transform the finances of customer Brigid Nolan. “It’s a godsend that the service has managed my finances,” she says. “I’ve never felt so supported in my life. It makes me feel so good that Curo colleagues cared enough to help me.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The complex benefits maze makes it difficult for many customers to know what they’re entitled to. Money Advice colleagues identify the benefits customers should apply for and support them every step of the way in claiming. In total, they’ve helped customers claim £68,276, or £734 per customer supported in the past year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Financial knowledge&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Money Advice colleagues also use their financial knowledge to help customers reduce their debt, expenditure and rent arrears, while increasing their income and accessing charity and grant payments. This has made customers a total of £291,192 better off, or an average of £4,282 per customer supported. In total, the Money Advice service accessed £103,186 in backdated benefits and charity and grant payments in the past year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Curo’s Passport to Housing service has saved customers a total of £743,533, or £3,541 per customer supported. Passport to Housing is a free and confidential service offered by Curo to help people bidding for homes through Bath &amp;amp; North East Somerset's Homesearch and South Gloucestershire's Homechoice schemes to prepare for a successful Curo tenancy and plan for the expense of moving home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Money worries? Get in touch&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Our message to customers is, if you’re having trouble with money, it’s always worth giving Curo’s Money Advice service a call,” says Sarah. “We have access to grants and funds that you may not know about. Please don’t suffer in silence – pick up the phone and get in touch.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Customers can contact the service either &lt;a href="tel:%2001225366000"&gt;by phone on 01225 366000&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="mailto:customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk"&gt;or by email: customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk.&lt;/a&gt; We really want to help.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 May 2023 08:59:59 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2023-05-04T08:59:59Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>