HOMES in Sedgemoor says a new system for helping tenants settle into their homes will become permanent after a successful trial.

The new system has seen individual sign-up interviews replaced by weekly welcome events for new tenants.

Homes in Sedgemoor says this has allowed its staff to provide a wider range of information to new tenants. A pilot for the new system began late last year.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “Customers say they have found the welcome events beneficial and more enjoyable than traditional sign up methods, whilst staff have had more time freed up to focus on re-let times and void properties.”

The welcome events cover a range of tenancy-related topics, including the tenancy agreement, service information, benefits and employment advice.

New tenant Katie Henderson said: “The welcome session has been good. It’s nice to meet people and I’ve been given plenty of useful information and bits and pieces to help get started.”

Following the successful pilot, weekly welcome events will continue to be held every Thursday, from 10am, with all new tenants invited to attend with a family member or friend.

Dawn Lang, interim chief executive of Homes in Sedgemoor, said: “We’re pleased that our welcome events are being so well received by our new tenants and are proving beneficial for our staff also.

“It can be daunting moving in to a new home and we want to give our customers the support and information that they need to get settled.”