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We can all play a part in improving the appearance of our neighbourhoods and building communities that everyone can be proud of.

You can read information on rubbish, parking, pests and gardens on this page – or visit MyHome for more advice and support.

You can also use the Customer hubb to share feedback and join in conversations with your neighbours. By letting us know what matters to you in your local area, we can work together to resolve issues.

Two residents gardening, looking over a small vegetable patch with green netting over it

Community Champions

We also have an active network of Community Champions who work collaboratively with us to shape our services and report community-wide concerns such as fly tipping and parking.

Community Champions

How to look after your neighbourhood

Rubbish and bins

We know that getting rid of unwanted items can be difficult. When rubbish is dumped in our neighbourhoods, it is unsightly and a health risk.  

Information on your bin collection day/s and recycling information can be found through your local authority’s website

If you are looking to get rid of white goods (e.g. fridge, freezer etc) or metal, a local scrap metal dealer might be able to help. They will usually take the items away free of charge. Check on the Government website whether a scrap metal dealer is licensed to dispose of your metal waste safely and responsibly. 

Pests

Waste or rubbish can attract pests, such as rats and mice. This can quickly become a very big problem. 

Here are some quick tips to help prevent pests where you live: 

  • Make sure there are no full bin bags outside the bin, on the pavement or on the floor of the bin store 
  • Try not to let bins overflow 
  • Make sure the right kinds of waste are in the right bins 
  • Don’t leave rubbish in front, back and communal gardens 

For more information on preventing and dealing with specific pests (including moths, fleas and wasps), read our pest management guide.

If you notice pests in the communal areas where you live (e.g. bin stores or hallways), please get in touch with us.

If the pests are in your personal garden or property, it’s most likely you will need to arrange to get them removed yourself using a licensed pest control company or your local council’s team.

If you are worried that pests are getting into your home because there is a repair or structural issue, please let us know as soon as possible so we can investigate and support you.

Your garden

Garden waste

If you have a lot of garden waste or unwanted items to get rid of, check your local authority guidelines to see what can and can't be collected. 

Fences, sheds and greenhouses

Under the terms of your tenancy agreement, you may need our permission to make changes to the outside of your home. See the criteria for putting up fences, sheds, greenhouses and more.

More information

You can find more information on looking after your garden and help available on the Neighbourhoods FAQ pages in MyHome

If you have any top gardening tips, why not share them on our  Customer hubb? Just login or sign-up and join in the conversation. 

Trees

Stonewater is responsible for the maintenance of trees in communal areas on schemes. Trees in customers' individual gardens are their responsibility to maintain. 

We have a routine maintenance programme for our trees, however if you notice a tree that is diseased, dying, dangerous or causing a nuisance, please let us know about it. 

If you are planning to have work carried out on trees which are your responsibility, please ensure that the contractor is suitably trained, licensed and insured. 

Do get in touch if you are concerned about getting work done on trees as we may be able to support you. 

Parking

Please note: We do not actively case manage parking issues on private driveways, public roads or in car parks with unallocated spaces.

Allocated parking

Some of your homes have allocated parking spaces. If you’re not sure, please contact us and we can let you know. We can’t guarantee you a parking space unless you’ve been allocated one. Car park allocations are usually determined by developers, so we can check our files to see if spaces are allocated.


Obstructive parking

If you have a parking problem on your street, try having a friendly word with the driver first. They might not realise their vehicle is causing issues or know about specific parking arrangements. You can use the good neighbour leaflet to help you with this.

If this doesn’t change anything, or you’re not comfortable talking to them, there are a few things you could do, depending on where and how it’s parked: 

  • If you think it’s parked unlawfully – for example, on zig zag lines, parked dangerously or in a way that would prevent emergency vehicles from accessing somewhere, or blocking garages - please contact the police. 

  • If it’s on public verge or highway and it’s contravening local parking regulations contact your local authority who may be able to help. 

  • If you think it poses a safety risk, call the police on 101 to report it – they may be able to remove it.
     

Abandoned vehicles

Please contact us if you spot an abandoned vehicle. To ensure it is abandoned please check the DVLA database to see if it has been taxed, has a MOT or is SORN. Please report this with photos and details of the vehicle, including the registration number, make, model and location of vehicle. If it is on our land, we will open a case and investigate further. 


Parking a van, boat, caravan, or commercial vehicle 

View our permissions page to see whether you can park a van, boat, caravan, or commercial vehicle on your drive. 



Parking space lines

If the lines marking your parking space are faded or worn away, please contact us with photo evidence and explain the impact this is having on the parking where you live.  


Disabled parking bays

You can apply for a disabled parking space outside or close to your house, if you are a disabled resident or there is a disabled member of the household. Please get in touch with us if you wish to apply for a disabled parking bay. For us to consider your application you would need to supply:

  • Evidence of your higher-rate PIP (Personal Independence Payment), or higher-rate Attendance Allowance or the mobility component of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) payments.  

  • If you own your car, you will need to provide your V5 or Motability Agreement. If you lease your car, we will need to see the lease agreement. For company cars, you will need to provide proof from your employer that the company car will be kept at your address overnight.  

  • Your blue badge number and its expiry date - you must have a valid blue badge registered in your name.  

  • Any other supporting evidence provided by a professional, such as an Occupational Therapist.

We cannot guarantee that permission would be granted for a disabled parking bay. Permissions are granted based on logistics, practicality and wider community impact. However, we would make every reasonable effort to assist individuals with disabled parking bays, where a qualifying need can be evidenced.

Please remember that whilst the intention is that the disabled parking bay would be used by you, other blue badge holders would be able to use this space. We are not able to enforce this at any time. 


Parking permits

You’ll need to directly request new parking permits from your parking management company. You’ll normally be able to find this out from the signs in your parking area.

Our Customer Service Centre can let you know which parking management company provides the parking permits in your area if you aren’t sure.   

Find out more