Newsletter Vesteda
In this newsletter
Dear tenants,
On 5 May we celebrate the fact that we live in freedom in the Netherlands, at a time when we cannot take freedom for granted. We have written to our tenants’ associations and residents’ committees asking them to organise a Freedom Meal, sponsored by Vesteda and the National 4 and 5 May Committee. As a tenant, you too can participate in a Freedom Meal in your neighbourhood!
In this newsletter, we also give you a peek behind the scenes at Vesteda. Meet our rental agents Frits and Esmeralda at one of our new-build residential projects. We would also like to share our sustainability strategy with you. No less than 98% of our homes now have a green energy label. Our colleague Patrick is keen to show you around the Bors van Waveren project in Amstelveen.
With spring just around the corner, we also have a few tips for your garden or balcony. And would you like to make changes to your home? You will need permission for a number of home improvements. We would be happy to tell you more.
I wish you a wonderful spring and hope you enjoy reading this issue of our newsletter.
Michiel de Bruine, COO Vesteda
Meet the team
Vesteda has letting agents working at various regional offices right across the Netherlands. They are responsible for the delivery and letting of our homes.
In this video, letting agents Frits and Esmeralda take you on a tour of the De Weverij new-build apartment complex in Enschede.
My Vesteda - your online customer portal
Did you know that you can submit your repair request online via My Vesteda 24 hours a day?
Urgent notification?
Do you have a serious leak, is your heating not working or is the lift broken? For emergencies, we are available 24 hours a day by phone on our general phone number:
088-456 16 56
Celebrate 80 years of freedom with a Freedom meal on 5 May!
On 5 May, we celebrate the freedom we enjoy in the Netherlands - a right that we cannot and should not take for granted. Vesteda is a proud partner of the National 4 and 5 May Committee, which brings people together for Freedom Meals so they can share stories and reflect on the importance of freedom.
On Liberation Day, the whole of the Netherlands sits down to a Freedom Meal. We eat together to celebrate our freedom: eating together is the best way to get to know each other’s worlds. Would you like to join us?
Would you like to know where a Freedom Meal is being held in your neighbourhood? Check the Freedom Meal Map (available on the website from mid-April) before Liberation Day! If your own Tenants’ Association is organising a meal, it will be listed there too.
Let’s celebrate 80 years of freedom together!
From a G label to A++: making a 1930s neighbourhood in Amstelveen more sustainable
We are proud of the sustainability improvements we made to 95 1930s homes in Elsrijk-West in Amstelveen. This was no standard job, as each home required a tailor-made solution.
Residents first
An important factor in the success of this project was the support we provided to residents. Clear communications and a good working relationship with the tenants’ sounding board group helped us generate support and ensure the improved sustainability programme ran smoothly.
From a G energy label to at least a B, A and even A++
The results are pretty impressive: the homes made a huge leap from a G energy label to at least an A energy label. Our goal was to improve to at least a B energy label, but in the end all the homes achieved at least an A energy label, with 60% even attaining an A+ or A++.
Spring tips for your garden or balcony
Tip 1. Plant spring flowers
Spring is the perfect time to plant colourful flowers that will brighten up your garden or balcony. Think daffodils and crocuses. These flowers are not just beautiful; they also attract bees and butterflies, which is great for biodiversity. Make sure you plant them in soil with good drainage and give them plenty of water.
Tip 2. Pruning and tidying
After the winter, your garden and balcony could probably use a bit of a sprucing up. Prune dead branches and remove old leaves and plant debris. This will ensure that your plants stay healthy and have room to grow. Don’t forget to clean your garden furniture and give it a new coat of paint if necessary.
Tip 3. Preparing pots and planters
Check your flower pots and planters for damage and replace them if necessary. Fill them with fresh potting soil and add some compost for extra nutrients. This will give your plants a good start and help them grow and thrive. You might also consider placing new planters or hanging pots to make the most of your balcony.
Tip 4: Sowing and taking cuttings
Spring is an excellent time to sow new plants and take cuttings from your existing plants. Choose fast-growing varieties such as tomatoes, basil and lettuce. These can be grown in your garden or on your balcony. Make sure you plant the seeds at the right depth and water them regularly. You can also take cuttings from plants such as geraniums and lavender, which will easily take root in a pot of moist soil.
Tip 5: Create a cosy atmosphere
Make your garden or balcony even more cosy by adding decorative elements. This could include the likes of mood lighting, colourful cushions and an outdoor rug. You could also hang birdhouses and place a birdbath to attract birds. A small water feature or fountain can also add a calming element to your garden. And don’t forget to create a comfortable place to sit where you can enjoy your green oasis.
Armed with these tips, you are ready to welcome spring into your garden or on your balcony.
Self-installed features and Vesteda’s permission
Everyone likes to decorate their home according to their own taste and ideas. Vesteda understands that and is happy to offer you the opportunity to make your own changes to your home. But that is not always possible: you need Vesteda’s permission for a number of self-installed features (zelf aangebrachte voorzieningen, or ZAV)
You do not need permission to make minor changes to your home, such as drilling holes in a wall to hang curtains or replacing a toilet seat.
Are you looking to make a major change? If so, you will need written permission. This could include the likes of installing a new kitchen or bathroom, new interior walls or doors or installing sun blinds.
Would you like to read more about modifying your rental home? Take a look at the ‘Guide to renting’ brochure via My Vesteda.
If you would like to submit a request to modify your home, you can do this online via My Vesteda.
My Vesteda - your online customer portal
Change or terminate your lease?
Change or terminate your lease?
Submitting a repair request?
Submitting a repair request?
In the event of an emergency, you can of course reach us by phone via 088-456 16 56, but reporting via My Vesteda is the most efficient way to submit all other repair requests. When you submit your repair request via My Vesteda, in most cases it will be forwarded directly to the right maintenance company, without the intervention of one of our colleagues.
My Vesteda - your online customer portal
