Dagenham council: Only language our tenants understand is SMS

Barking and Dagenham council has launched a free text message service which allows housing tenants and leaseholders to get information about their council related affairs more easily, without having to use the local authority's contact centre.

Residents can send a message to the council and they will receive a reply with their rental balance. The service also includes a text reminder for things that they would previously have received a letter about, such as rent arrears.

Phil Waker, cabinet member for housing, said: "I welcome this new service and will urge all our tenants and leaseholders to take advantage of this new service – remember it is absolutely free.

"The service will enable people get timely information and assurances more easily on their phones. Reminders for repair appointments, rent arrears and any other issues they would normally have waited for a letter for can be received instantly."

This article was originally published at Guardian Government Computing.

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