By Jess Owen A major Social Landlord has claimed that housing associations are not bound by some provisions of the 2010 Equality Act. Peabody Trust, which operates over 100,000 Social Homes and “provide care and support services to around 25,000” people in England, claims that, as they are not listed in a schedule of the… Continue reading Housing Associations and The Equality Act 2010
By Michael Savell Nothing less than total reform will cure the problems with housing. For the last several years I have been involved with SHAC as its Treasurer, and have occasionally contributed to the various Whatsapp groups answering questions and commentating on the problems that tenants and leaseholders have with their landlords. It is very… Continue reading Nothing Less Than Total Reform
By Ella Austen It’s a truth universally acknowledged that arrogance and idiocy frequently travel together. “Empty vessels make the most noise” says Shakespeare in Henry V. And while Plus Dane Housing, a housing association primarily operating in the North West, may not share the Bard’s grandeur, it certainly compensates in how flagrantly they display this… Continue reading Beware the Brainless Inquisition
More than 100 activists gathered in person and online on the 11th October to plan a national tenants and residents (housing) union. The event was organised by SHAC as the basis for forming an independent action group that can transform the vision into reality. Attendees included those leading local action on their estates, regional groups… Continue reading Conference Agrees to Build a Housing Union
By Ella Austen The paperwork that ties me to Plus Dane Housing was written in 1989. I was a barely sentient one year old. My name isn’t on it. Plus Dane’s name isn’t on it. Yet somehow, this paperwork legally binds me to pay them money every month for services that aren't delivered. I bought… Continue reading Plus Dane Charging Thousands for Services We Never See
By Michael Savell, SHAC Committee Member It appears that anyone who rents a flat, or was unfortunate enough to have bought a share of a flat through shared ownership, has the same issues. High and unregulated service charges being one of the major complaints that SHAC and other campaign groups receive. What is not generally… Continue reading Invisible Tenants, Forgotten Victims
By George Morris I am a resident of Abbeyfield Chester, a retirement scheme that claims its residents enjoy supported housing with “high standards of accommodation, companionship and a support service designed to promote independence”; at least that’s according to the Abbeyfield website. They also claim to treat residents with dignity and respect. This is all… Continue reading The Great Abbeyfield Illusion
A story of injustice, discrimination against leaseholders, and a broken housing system By Gill Perceval 2008 and Mum was living in a house in Langley. She was active, sociable and hands-on in helping others. After losing her husband and suffering some health issues, she became aware of Extra Care Developments which were to be built… Continue reading Jean’s Story: Life and Death with Shared Ownership
Housing Associations Failing Tenants Despite Ombudsman Rulings By Dean Kennedy Despite falling national statistics in police-reported anti-social behaviour (ASB), social housing tenants continue to suffer disproportionately, and housing associations are persistently failing to act – even in cases where they are found at fault by the Housing Ombudsman. Recent government figures show that while police-recorded… Continue reading Social Housing Antisocial Behaviour Crisis
SHAC’S Response to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman Housing Report for Disabled People In June 2025, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman published a report aimed at reducing barriers for disabled people accessing council housing and homelessness services. The report is written with recognition of the national housing crisis, which includes the… Continue reading Access Denied – SHAC Responds
