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Getting to know you better visits

We run a programme of getting to know you visits to ensure we hold correct and current information about our tenants.

Over the next few months, we will be carrying out Getting to Know You Better visits with council tenants across the district who we haven’t visited in the last 12 months. These visits are important to ensure we continue providing the best possible housing services.

The visits are an opportunity for us to: 

  • Speak directly with tenants.
  • Make sure the information we hold is accurate and up to date.
  • Better understand the people and communities we serve. 
  • Make sure we are providing the right services and support for tenants.

We know every household is different, and having a better understanding of our tenants helps us shape our services, improve communication, and find out where additional support may be needed. 

The information we collect will help us improve the way we plan and deliver housing services and make sure that we continue to meet our responsibilities as your landlord.

What tenants can expect

Between 24 August 2026 and 30 September 2026, a member of our Housing team will visit your home and ask some simple questions about your household and tenancy. This will take between 15 and 30 minutes.

The visit is intended to be a friendly conversation. We may ask you to confirm details such as who lives in your home, the best ways to contact you, whether you have any accessibility or support needs, and if there is anything affecting your ability to access services or manage your tenancy.

Keeping you safe

We completely understand that many tenants maybe cautious about allowing visitors into to your home.

All Newark and Sherwood District Council staff carrying out visits will carry official identification and will be happy to show it before entering your home. We will also provide you with a verification code in a letter in advance of the visit, which can be used to confirm that the visitor is genuinely from the Council.

Our officers will never ask for bank account details, passwords, PIN numbers, or any form of payment as part of a Getting to Know You Better visit. 

If you are ever unsure, please take the time to verify the visitor's identity by calling us on 01636 650 000 before letting anyone into your home. Our staff will be happy to wait while identity is checked.

Getting to know you better - FAQs

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Why is Newark and Sherwood District Council carrying out the visits?

Newark and Sherwood District Council (NSDC) is carrying out Getting to know you better visits so we can check that the information we hold about our tenants and households is accurate and up to date.

This information will help us understand more about tenants, including how tenants prefer to be contacted, whether anyone needs additional support to access our services, and whether there are any issues we can help with. It also supports our role as a social landlord by helping us improve services, communicate more effectively, and make sure tenants are treated fairly and with respect.

What information will you ask for?

We will ask you to confirm basic household and tenancy details, including who lives in your home, contact details, how you prefer to be contacted, accessibility or support needs, and any information that may help us deliver services safely and appropriately. 

We may also ask about how you access Council services, whether you need help using online services, and if there is anything affecting your ability to manage your tenancy or access support.

When will the visit take place?

We will contact you in advance to let you know when we plan to attend. Visits will normally take place at a reasonable time, and staff will explain the purpose of the visit when they arrive.

How long will the visits take?

The visits should take between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your household circumstances and whether there is anything you would like to discuss with us. We will try to keep the visit straightforward and only ask for information that is relevant.

How will my information be used?

Your information will be used to update our records, manage your tenancy, help you access Council and housing services, identify any support or communication needs, and improve how we plan and deliver services. Information from the census will also help us understand the needs of our tenants and improve our services.

What if I do not want to take part?

We would like all tenants to take part because we have a duty to keep our records accurate and provide the right services, so some questions will be mandatory. Some of the other questions will be voluntary, however this information is helpful for us to provide the correct services.

How do I know the visitor is genuine?

All NSDC staff or representatives visiting as part of the visits will be carrying official identification. We will also send you a code in advance of the visit and you can use that code to confirm we are from NSDC. 

You should always ask to see ID before letting anyone into your home. A genuine member of staff will not mind waiting while you check their identity.

Can I verify that staff are actually from NSDC?

If you are unsure, you can contact NSDC directly using the official contact details published on the Council’s website or on recent letters from the Council. Do not use a phone number given to you only by the visitor if you have concerns. 

Staff will understand if you want to check before continuing.

How is my information protected?

Your personal information will be handled securely and in line with data protection law, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. We will only collect information for clear and lawful purposes, keep it secure, restrict access to staff who need it for their role, and keep it only for as long as necessary. We will not sell your information. 

Where information needs to be shared with other services or partners, we will only do so where there are lawful reasons and appropriate safeguards are in place.