We are desperate, this felt like the only way to get them to listen to us”
Paula*, Shepherds Bush Housing Group leaseholder
These are the words of a frustrated leaseholder at William Perkins Court in Greenford, West London. She and other residents are describing why they felt forced to withhold payment of their service charges.
The leaseholders say they are at their wits’ end having waited almost four years for a follow up meeting with their leasehold team at Shepherds Bush Housing Group (SBHG).
Service Charge Strike
In December 2019 the leaseholders in the block met with an officer from their landlord to discuss their service charges and an ongoing dispute over fast rising costs and poor repairs and maintenance in their building.
SBHG’s Head of Leasehold said at the meeting that it was “reasonable to withhold service charges” pending further investigation of inaccuracies. Residents had already been withholding payment in protest and to gain attention from SBHG. They felt pleased that this was now recognised and supported by SBHG.
After this initial meeting, residents made multiple requests for a follow up meeting to discuss their concerns. In the meantime, their lift has remained out of action for almost a year despite numerous complaints. There is also constant leaking water in the car park. Paula continues:
Despite taking no action to resolve the outstanding dispute for the past three years and letting the building fall into disrepair, SBHG threatened legal action against us – even though we are only complying with a directive from one of their own officers.”
Paula, Shepherds Bush Housing Group leaseholder
When a second meeting finally took place between leaseholders and SBHG, the landlord admitted to having resourcing issues which had led to poor service and patchy communication, but resolution is still some way off.
Desperately Seeking Resolution
Paula reports that yet another Leasehold Officer will be appointed to manage their block; several have come and gone over the last few years. Paula adds:
Our service charge bills remain significantly higher than comparable blocks in the area. Yet we were told that the charges we pay are not terrible, that they have seen worse. This was quite an outrageous statement and was tasteless given the lack of service we get for the cost.”
Paula, Shepherds Bush Housing Group leaseholder
Residents have quoted from reports published by the Regulator of Social Housing on SHBG which describe concerns about failing governance.
Regulator’s Damning Judgement
The housing association’s governance was downgraded by the Regulator to the second worst rating in June 2022. The regulatory judgement said:
The regulator … lacks assurance that the board of Shepherds Bush has been managing its affairs with an appropriate degree of skill, diligence, prudence and foresight.”
SBHG Regulatory Judgement, June 2022
The Regulator also found “Weaknesses in the financial governance arrangements and inaccuracies in board reporting, coupled with a lack of effective board oversight and scrutiny”, and “concerns about fire safety reporting and its compliance with the Decent Homes Standard”.
Housing association Shepherds Bush Housing Group manages William Perkin Court in Greenford
The weakness of the board and its collective failure to properly manage the landlord’s operations are a worry for those living in SBHG’s 5,000 homes. As the Regulator points out “Delivery of Shepherds Bush’s financial plans remains challenging [and] It remains exposed to an adverse change in the housing market”. SBHG has yet to be regraded, suggesting that it has not addressed its failings.
Organising for Change
Residents will continue to withhold payment of service charges until SBHG can improve services. They are interested in linking with other SBHG tenants and residents in the area.
* Real name withheld
2 August 2023
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Anchor Hanover Group Social Housing Landlords also frame/illegally convict tenants of criminal behaviour – so they can try and evict innocent tenants who enquire about service charges, building and tenant safety etc.
When all of this gets reported to various housing authorities – nothing is done about this blatant corruption.
It is very apparent that Social housing landlords are in fact above the law.