Article: Council Housing Online interactions for this service Pay for this service Article Body The Council Housing Service is managed by Berneslai Homes on behalf of the Council. Berneslai Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) which was set up in December 2002. The properties Berneslai Homes manages are still owned by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Although the Council is no longer directly responsible for the day-to-day Council Housing Service, it works closely with Berneslai Homes and monitors their performance to make sure the services they provide are good quality and value for money. One of the most important roles that Bernelsai Homes carries out is to ensure that council housing is maintained in a good state of repair. Under arrangements entered into in April 2010 Berneslai Homes is working closely with Kier Building Maintenance who are providing repairs and improvements for around 8500 council houses, including the maintenance of dwellings at the level establish by Decent Homes, whcih was completed in Dec 2010. This is called the Barnsley Homes Standard programme and Keirs are responsible for delivering it in the Dearne, Hoyland and Wombwell areas of the borough. For more information on Kier Building Maintenance please click here. In 2010 a full review of the lettings policy was carried out by the Council and Berneslai Homes. As a result of this review the Council has approved some minor changes to the lettings policy. The changes became effective from the 1st January 2011. The full details of the changes can be found in the Homeseeker News Winter 2010. The Council Housing Management services provided by Berneslai Homes include: Repairs Improvements (including the Decent Homes Programme) Lettings - Vacant Properties Tenancy Management - Moving Home Home Exchange (Homeswapper) Rent Collection and Accounting Money and Debt Advice Managing Housing Estates Housing and Services for Older People Leaseholder - Buying Your Home Community Development - Getting Involved Berneslai Homes also works closely with the multi-agency Safer Neighbourhood Teams to tackle anti-social behaviour on the estates it manages. Contact Website Berneslai Homes Write Berneslai Homes PO Box 627 Barnsley S70 9FZ Phone 01226 775555 E.mail CustomerServices@berneslaihomes.co.uk Berneslai Homes Repairs Hotline (Open 24 hours, 7 days) 01226 787878 Barnsley Connects office Website Barnsley Connects Phone 01226 775555 Email barnsleyconnects@barnsley.gov.uk BMBC Housing Write Economy Culture & Housing PO Box 634 Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 9GG Phone 01226 774073 Email: Contact the Principal ALMO Liaison and Right to Buy Manager at: Righttobuy@barnsley.gov.uk Related information What is the Housing Register?provides information on the Housing Register. The Leaflet: 'Paying Your Rent' gives you important information about the rent and other charges you pay us for living in your home. At TenancyAgreement.comour mission is to provide Landlords and Tenants with a comprehensive one stop shop for information and frequently asked questions about UK tenancy agreements. If you are in financial difficulties the Mortgage Rescue Scheme (MRS) could offer a solution, providing a viable way of remaining in your home, long-term. For more information on Barnsley Council's mortgage rescue scheme please click here.