XL Bully Regulations: Key Deadlines and Preparation

At North Wales Housing, the safety and well-being of our community, including our four-legged friends, are paramount. We understand the recent changes in the law regarding XL Bully dogs might raise questions for pet owners.

While ensuring compliance with the new regulations is crucial, we also want to support and guide responsible pet owners through this transition. Safety remains our top priority, and we aim to provide information to help you navigate these changes.

Read on to learn more about the official guidelines, how to identify an XL Bully, and what steps you can take if you own one.

What is an XL Bully and how do I know if I own one?

The government has officially outlined criteria for identifying XL Bully dogs based on physical characteristics like size and height. Check to see if your dog falls under the new definition. To help with this, Blue Cross have made a useful video on how to measure your dog.

This is new guidance and more details can be found on the Government website.

Is it illegal for me to own an XL Bully, and what should I do if I own one?

From 1 February 2024, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog. You’ve got until January 31, 2024, to apply for this exemption.

To keep your XL Bully dog, you must ensure it is:

  • Microchipped
  • Always on a lead
  • Muzzled in public
  • Safely secured

You will also need to neuter your dog. If your furry friend is under one year old by January 31, 2024, schedule the procedure by December 31, 2024. For those older than one year by January 31, 2024, ensure neutering is completed by June 30, 2024. To stay ahead of these deadlines, we encourage you to arrange for your dog’s neutering at your earliest convenience.

As the owner, you must also:

  • Be prepared to present the Certificate of Exemption upon request, whether it’s on the spot or within the following 5 days, to a police officer or a council dog warden.
  • Obtain insurance coverage for potential injuries caused by your dog to others; Dogs Trust Membership offers this service.
  • Be over 16 years old.

On 14 November, the Government released guidance for dog owners interested in obtaining a Certificate of Exemption. This includes a form that owners must complete online by 31 January 2024 or via post by 15 January 2024.

For more information please visit the Government website here.

Tips to keep condensation under control

Every home suffers from condensation to some extent. Warm moist air is created when cooking, washing clothes, and bathing. Even breathing releases significant amounts of moisture into the air.

Condensation occurs when warm moist air touches a colder surface and water droplets form. You can see examples of condensation on misted mirrors after bathing or misted bedroom windows on cold mornings. The same process will occur on walls and ceilings particularly if they are cold and poorly ventilated.

Condensation is most likely in places where there is little movement of air particularly in corners, on or near windows, and behind wardrobes or cupboards. Unlike penetrating or rising damp, condensation does not usually leave a tidemark but can lead to mold growth, usually black spots, on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.

Condensation usually affects properties between October and April when home ventilation is at its lowest. During these colder months, people tend to keep windows and doors closed which allows water vapour to build up in the home.

Here are some tips to keep condensation under control:

  • Try and put the heating on even if on low; try to avoid rapid changes in temperature which encourages condensation.
  • Close kitchen and bathroom doors when in use and use an extractor fan if you have one.
  • Dry washing outdoors if possible, or in a closed bathroom with a window open or extractor fan on – avoid drying on radiators.
  • When condensation appears on surfaces such as windows and cills, wipe it away with a cloth.

 

Find out more here

Cuppa and a Catch up this Christmas

Join NWH staff for a catch up over a hot drink and mince pie or biscuits this December.

We have NWH tenant events on the following dates:

6th December 12pm – 2pm – Ty Llywelyn, Ffordd Yr Orsedd, Llandudno. LL30 1LA Download poster

8th December 12pm – 2pm – Plas Ffrancon Leisure Centre, Coetmor New Rd, Bethesda, Bangor LL57 3DT Download poster

CHANCE TO WIN AIRFRYER!! Everyone who attends will be in with a chance to win an airfryer

Come along and have a chat with us or receive any money saving advice. Games and crafts to keep children entertained (must be accompanied by adult)

Any questions?

[email protected] or call 01492 572727

North Wales organisations join together to offer a warm welcome during the cost of living crisis

Partners across North Wales are joining together to provide warm, safe spaces for people who are struggling to cope with rising energy costs this winter.

The Croeso Cynnes (Warm Welcome) initiative is being led by Menter Môn, in co-operation with many organisations as part of the 2025 Movement, a group of over 600 people and organisations across North Wales that are working together to tackle avoidable health inequalities across the region.

Partners in Croeso Cynnes have committed to opening up warm, welcoming spaces in offices, libraries and other community centres where people can spend time, enjoy a hot drink and in many cases hot food. The scheme also aims to raise awareness of practical support they can access through organisations such as Warm Wales, a Community Interest Company working to tackle fuel poverty across Wales, ensuring that anyone in need of support is referred to people who can help.

Clare Budden, Chair of the 2025 Movement and Chief Executive of ClwydAlyn Housing Association, said:

“The cost of living crisis is a huge challenge for our organisations and the people we serve, with health inequalities set to widen further and communities begin to feel the very real impact of soaring energy costs, particularly in Wales which has the highest average electricity bills in the UK.

“It’s great to see so many partners joining together to open up their spaces, from libraries to community centres, to provide local people with a warm and safe space that they can visit to help if they are struggling to heat their homes. Everyone involved in 2025 has long been committed to working together to do all we can to tackle inequality and Croeso Cynnes is another example of the difference we can make by joining forces.”

Croeso Cynnes spaces are being promoted by Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig as part of the social enterprise Menter Môn. Partners involved in 2025 that are opening Croeso Cynnes locations accross North Wales include Cyngor Gwynedd, Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn, Mantell Gwynedd, Cymdeithas Elusennol Ynys Môn, Medrwn Môn, Cyngor Conwy, Cyngor Sir Ddinbych, Cyngor Sir y Fflint, along with housing associations Tai Gogledd Cymru, Adra, Grŵp Cynefin, Cartrefi Conwy, Tai Sir Ddinbych and ClwydAlyn.

To find out where Croeso Cynnes spaces are available in your area click here.

Have you tried our Chatbot Huw?

Available 24/7 via our website, Huw may have that answer you have been looking for. Simply click on the icon on the bottom right of our website and type in your question.

Still not got the answer? Fear not, during office opening hours you can use our Live Chat, which is looked after by a member of our Customer Services team.

Rent Increase: Changes required to UC

If you’re on Universal Credit, and claiming housing costs to pay your rent, you must let the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) know of this change in your rent.

To make this easier for you, the DWP will send you a ‘To Do’ notification to your journal in the first week of April 2022.

You must complete the ‘To Do’ before the end of your Universal Credit assessment period in April 2022 or you will miss out on the money you are due.

Please do not update your journal before the Monday 5th of April, this is because of how Universal Credit is calculated.

If you need help with your journal, please speak to your income officer.

If you don’t tell the DWP about your rent rise, your Universal Credit won’t be increased to cover your new rent and you could miss out on benefits you are due.

If you pay by standing order you need to speak to your bank about increasing your payment.

Here to Support you

Paying your rent on time must be your priority. We have lots of different ways to pay to help take the stress out of managing your money. North Wales Housing’s Income Team are here to support you and provide specialist advice on claiming benefits, maximising income, managing debt and money advice.

Contact [email protected] or call 01492 572727 to speak to a member of the Income Team.

Alternatively, Citizen’s Advice Cymru offer independent advice and guidance for benefits, debt, energy and employment matters https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales .

You can also visit www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk for further information about Universal Credit.

Paying your rent on time must be your priority. We have lots of different ways to pay to help take the stress out of managing your money. Our specialist advisers can also help you to prepare a budget for your household, so you know what’s coming as well as which things need to be paid as a priority, such as rent, council tax, utilities etc.

Income Team are GO!

From Monday 28th February North Wales Housing’s new look Income Team are working to deliver income collection services across our operating area. Working in four geographical patches, each officer will be responsible for working with our tenants to provide help and advice.  

The transition to patch working will be done in two phases, with the initial “training phase” expected to last 6 months before we move into the permanent patch structure in September 2022. We are doing it this way to make sure that all members of the team can receive the training and support needed to deliver excellent and consistent services to all our tenants and colleagues.  These patched are: 

  • Income Officer West – Martin Williams 
  • Income Officer Central – Karlene Jones  
  • Income Officer East – Joann Fisher  
  • Money Advice and Income Officer – Nicky Thomas  
  • Income Legal and Ynys Môn Income Officer– Rhian Hughes 
  • Assistant Income Officer – Hannah Williams 
  • Out of Hours Income Officer – Kieren Lewis 
  • Income manager – Darren Thomas

Please feel free to get in touch with anyone in the Income Team if you wish to discuss our new structure and how we can work together. 

 

Changes to Universal Credit

The current increase in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit of £20 per week, that has been paid throughout the pandemic, is due to stop at the end of September.

Please note that if you receive these benefits your income will reduce by £20 per week, or £86.67 per month before October 2021.

There is ongoing work taking place to try and encourage the Government to keep the uplift but at the moment this reduction is due to come into force at the end of September 2021.

If you require any help with budgeting to get used to this reduction in your income please contact the Rents Team on 01492 572727.

Coronavirus Financial Help and Rights

The coronavirus pandemic is an anxious and worrying time; as well as worrying about our health we understand that you may be concerned about your financial well-being.

If you are self-employed, been laid off or have lost your job because of the Coronavirus or are wondering whether you’re entitled to statutory sick pay the following link may be useful:

Moneysaving expert website www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/

You can also find out more information about Universal Credit on the Government website here https://www.gov.uk/self-employment-and-universal-credit

The Government has announced that they will cover the wages of employees up to 80% of their pay up to a max of £2500. The details have still not been finalised; we will share more information when available.

 Prepayment meters

Unable to go out and top up your meter? Contact your supplier for alternative methods. You may be able to top up through an App, online or may post out a top up card to you.

Please contact the Rents Team on 01492 572727 if you have a change in your finances which makes it difficult to pay your rent. You can contact the Rents Team on [email protected] or call 01492 572727.