The strikes previously reported in Southall by tenants and residents of one Clarion estate (Over 70 Southall Residents Start Service Charge Strike) have spread to a second estate nearby.
Tenants and residents of at least 24 households in Doniford House are withholding payment from their landlord, Clarion, and their managing agent, First Port.
Not Safe and Not Secure
Security on the estate is said to be non-existent. The fobs for internal doors between blocks haven’t locked properly for over a year, allowing people to walk freely into and between buildings. Residents feel perpetually vulnerable with anti-social behaviour and are left paying the cost of repairs and cleaning. Clarion remains in denial of the problem.
“We were told by Clarion that when they do their monthly check they’re always working fine – despite us sending weekly videos of us opening ours and other block doors without fobs.
“This became a major issue this summer when we had multiple instances of anti-social behaviour including illegal drug use in our stairwells, spitting on the floors, leaving rubbish, breaking the lifts, and threatening and chasing our residents.
“All of this has been reported to police and Clarion. Clarion have blamed us, saying we’re leaving doors open and letting strangers in. It’s insulting.”
Doniford House resident
Repairs have been another contentious area. In common with a number of other estates, residents have suffered black mould, although the building is brand new.
Images from Doniford House
The fire vent on the top floor was stuck open for weeks and eventually snapped off in a storm. Clarion botched a repair and the vent is once again leaking. Rain runs down the walls next to residents’ flats, and through corridor light fittings with no switch. When the fire alarm goes off, it is left for days without being reset.
Residents say they live in fear for their safety.
Waste and Pestilence
The estate has a caretaker employed by the managing agent, First Port. Recently, holiday cover was not provided and resulted in bins not being emptied for almost three weeks during a heatwave.
The estate is owned by Clarion and managed by FirstPort
Overflowing bins have attracted pests, which was already an issue on the estate; maggots infested rubbish and the refuse store was left in a disgusting state.
“We’re tired, it’s a full-time job to keep on top of everything. We’ve also reported estate issues through the First Port channels that usually get no response at all.”
Doniford House resident
Residents have been in constant contact with their Housing Officer and the Head of Housing since March 2022, sending reports of new issues every week, as well as chasing the outstanding issues from 2022.
Charges Rise More Than 60%
Despite Clarion’s managed decline of the estate (with echoes of The Green Quarter), residents have faced ever-increasing charges. They have recently objected to fictitious service charges which have included £5,000 for window cleaning that wasn’t happening. The contractors rates are extortionate, and far higher than any private resident would pay.
“Aside from the problems we have, these costs just aren’t sustainable in the current climate. If this happens again, a number of residents will be forced out.
“We’ve repeatedly asked to see the receipts and invoices for these charges and have been fobbed off every time. It’s clear Clarion don’t ask any questions of their managing agents, but just pass on whatever they charge”.
Doniford House resident
Tenants and Residents Organise
Doniford House residents are not willing to tolerate their mistreatment. A leading activist for the group said
“We have a residents WhatsApp and recently set up a residents’ association. We had a meeting with SHAC to explore options and settled on a service charge strike. We persuaded people to join the strike by providing the guidance and information sheets from SHAC to offer some reassurance.”
They are determined to fight on until all the issues affecting their estate have been resolved and service charges are reviewed.
SHAC continues to offer support.
3 October 2023
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