North Devon Homes

28/08/2026

📢 Bank Holiday Reminder

Please note that our offices will be closed on Monday 31 August for the Bank Holiday.

If you have an emergency repair, our Out of Hours service will be available to help. Call 0800 917 0619 or 01271 312522.

For non-emergency enquiries, you can report issues and access services online at any time through our website.

We'll reopen as usual on Tuesday.

27/08/2026

Celebrating the people who make our communities stronger 💙

We're delighted to congratulate the winners of this year's Good Neighbour Awards!

The awards recognise customers who go above and beyond to support those around them, whether that's offering practical help, bringing people together or simply being there when a neighbour needs a helping hand.

This year's winners were Gary and Elyshea, Nicola and Catherine, who were nominated by fellow customers in recognition of their kindness, generosity and community spirit.

These awards shine a spotlight on the everyday acts of kindness that make such a difference and help create welcoming, supportive communities across North Devon. 💙

Congratulations to all of our worthy winners and thank you for everything you do for your neighbours. 👏

26/08/2026

💷 Could your savings story inspire someone else? 💷

To celebrate UK Savings Week (21-27 September), our partners at Westcountry Savings & Loans are asking members to share their favourite savings tips and tell them how saving has made a difference in their lives.

Whether you're saving for:
✈️ A holiday
🏠 A new home
🎄 Christmas
💰 An emergency fund
😊 Or simply a little extra peace of mind

They'd love to hear your story.

Five members whose stories are featured will each receive £20 paid directly into their savings account.

📧 To enter, email [email protected] with the subject line "UK Savings Week" and share:
• Your favourite savings tip
• A short story about what you've been saving for and how it has helped you
• Your full name, membership number, contact details and a photo

⏰ Entries close at 5pm on Friday 4 September.

Please note: this campaign is only open to Westcountry Savings & Loans members.

💙 Share your savings story for UK Savings Week and £20 could be yours!
UK Savings Week takes place 21-27 September.
To celebrate, we’d love our WS&L members to tell us how saving has helped them.
Five featured members will each receive £20 into their savings account. ✨
Find out how to take part below 👇.
But don't delay, deadline for stories is September 4 ⏰
https://www.westcountry.org.uk/news.asp?ID=473

25/08/2026

🌻🏆 Winner of Our Good Garden Competition Announced! 🏆🌻

A huge congratulations to Reuben and Amanda from Chivenor, who were crowned the overall winners of this year's North Devon Homes Good Garden Competition! 🎉

Their beautiful garden impressed judges with its colourful plants, relaxing seating areas and stunning water feature, earning them both the Best Large Garden Award and the Overall Garden Award.

This year's competition attracted 28 entries from across North Devon, showcasing fantastic flower displays, vegetable gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces and creative sustainable projects. It was inspiring to see so many customers taking pride in their outdoor spaces and helping make our communities greener and more beautiful.

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared their gardens with us. We look forward to seeing even more incredible entries next year! 🌷🌿🌼

📸 Take a look at some of this year's winning gardens below.

24/08/2026

We've received a report of an elderly resident feeling pressured by unsolicited callers who were offering cash for valuables.

While many callers may be genuine, it's always best to be cautious when dealing with unexpected doorstep visitors.

Take your time, never feel pressured to agree to anything on the spot and don't be afraid to close the door if something doesn't feel right.

If you have concerns about a caller's behaviour, report it to the police on 101.

Please share this advice with older friends, family members and neighbours.

21/08/2026

Are you on Universal Credit?

🍽️ From the 2026-2027 academic year, your child can get free school meals if you receive Universal Credit, regardless of household income.

Find out more details ⤵️
https://bit.ly/4zeYoaB

19/08/2026

🏠 Warm Home Discount Scheme applications open in October, but you need to check NOW if you are eligible.

If you're on a low income or receive certain benefits, you could be eligible for a £150 discount on your electricity bill this winter through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

Full eligibility details and how to apply can be found in the MoneySavingExpert article below 👇

Please note that funding is limited and some energy suppliers operate on a first come, first served basis, so it's worth checking as soon as possible.

18/08/2026

🏡 We know that searching for a new home can be one of the most stressful experiences people face.

If you're registered with Devon Home Choice, it's important to keep your application details up to date and bid regularly on suitable homes.

While North Devon Homes advertises properties through Devon Home Choice, the housing register, priority bands and allocation process are managed independently through the Devon Home Choice scheme.

If you're unsure about your application or need support, your local council's housing team can help.

Find out more at https://www.devonhomechoice.com/

💙 We're committed to working with our partners to provide more affordable homes for local people.

12/08/2026

🌞 Get ready for tonight's solar eclipse! 🌞

If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the eclipse this evening, please remember to watch it safely.

We've shared this helpful BBC Yorkshire video with some creative ways to view the eclipse, including using a colander, your phone camera and approved eclipse glasses.

⚠️ Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection, even during an eclipse, as this can cause permanent eye damage.

Take a look at the video below for some safe viewing ideas 📸🌘

07/08/2026

💧 Hosepipe ban starts tomorrow

South West Water has announced that a hosepipe ban will come into effect from 00:01 on Saturday 8 August across Devon, Cornwall and parts of Dorset and Somerset.

This means customers should not use hosepipes for activities such as:
✅ Watering gardens
✅ Washing cars
✅ Cleaning patios or driveways
✅ Filling paddling pools, swimming pools or hot tubs

Water can still be used as normal for drinking, cooking, washing and other essential household needs.

If you're on the Priority Services Register, a Blue Badge holder or on our WaterSure Tariff, exceptions apply.

You can find full details, including exemptions and FAQs, on the South West Water website:

https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/environment/water-resources/hosepipe-ban

From 00:01am on Saturday 8 August, we'll be introducing a hosepipe ban, for all our customers in Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly.

The decision follows one of the driest periods in recent years, with rainfall across the South West remaining well below seasonal averages over many months, and leading to the Environment Agency declaring half of England, including the South West, in drought.

This means that you must not use hosepipes to:
👉 Water your garden
👉 Clean your, car, patio or driveway
👉 Fill a paddling pool, swimming pool or hot tub
👉 Clean walls, paths or windows

You can still carry out many of your usual activities but we ask that everyone please use water carefully during this period of drought to help protect our environment and water resources.

🔗 Find out more https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/hosepipe-ban

If you're on the Priority Services Register, a Blue Badge holder or on our WaterSure Tariff, exceptions apply. Visit the link above to find out more and read our full FAQs.