Auctions and Sales, Complaints Procedures, Housing Law, Housing protest, Optivo, Regeneration, Southern Housing, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Ruthless Southern’s Threat to Evict Sheltered Housing Residents

Sheltered housing residents have slammed Southern Housing for its ruthless decision to evict them in order to sell their homes By guest writer Gareth Sheppard* Since the abolition of the Housing Corporation in 2008 and the transfer of a reduced set of functions to what is now the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), rigorous scrutiny… Continue reading Ruthless Southern’s Threat to Evict Sheltered Housing Residents

Complaints Procedures, Housing Law, Housing protest, Service Charges, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Lessons from the Housing Ombudsman’s Findings at LJHA

Peter is celebrating his vindication by the Ombudsman, which has upheld his complaint of mistreatment by Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA). The case however highlights weaknesses in this part of the justice system for tenants and residents, and the need for more powerful enforcement when landlords fail. The complaint concerned service charges, diminished services as… Continue reading Lessons from the Housing Ombudsman’s Findings at LJHA

Clarion, Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Rents, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Clarion: Over 70 Southall Residents Start Service Charge Strike

Around 70 residents have notified their landlord, Clarion, that they will be partially withholding payments in a dispute over rent and service charge levels, plus contested service charge items. The residents have formed a collective of some 60-strong households covering their estate in Southall, West London. Shana, a striking resident has explained that the group… Continue reading Clarion: Over 70 Southall Residents Start Service Charge Strike

Complaints Procedures, Fire Safety & Cladding, Housing Law, RAAC, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, Tenant & Resident Democracy

RAAC: The Next Housing Scandal?

Anyone with any eyes on the news at the moment will have caught articles about the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, or RAAC in some buildings. This weaker concrete can crumble if it isn't properly maintained and therefore needs regular inspection. While media commentary has focussed on schools and other public buildings, many members… Continue reading RAAC: The Next Housing Scandal?

Auctions and Sales, Housing Law, Housing protest, Regeneration, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Occupation and Protest Highlights Empty Homes Scandal

Empty Ministry of Justice flats in Islington, north London, were occupied by a group of activists over the weekend to highlight the housing and climate crises. The protest was organised over the scandal of 28 three- and four-bedroom flats owned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) which have been left empty for more than ten… Continue reading Occupation and Protest Highlights Empty Homes Scandal

Complaints Procedures, Damp and mould, Disability, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, Hyde Housing, L&Q, MTVHA, NHG, Notting Hill, Notting Hill Genesis, OHG, Optivo, Peabody Trust, Rent Strike, Rents, Riverside, Sanctuary Housing, SBHA, SBHG, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Shepherds Bush Housing Association, Shepherds Bush Housing Group, Southern Housing, Tenant & Resident Democracy

SHAC Rent and Service Charge Strikes Grow and Collectivise

Rent and service charge strikes are growing across England according to a new report published by SHAC. The snapshot report was published following a survey of members, and sought to identify growth and trends. I am withholding payment because Clarion raised the service charge 20% without informing me any details or reasons beforehand. Nina, Clarion… Continue reading SHAC Rent and Service Charge Strikes Grow and Collectivise

Complaints Procedures, Electricity Charges, Gas Charges, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy, Water charges

Service Charges: Unreasonable Laws

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 says that service charges must be reasonably incurred, and incurred on services or works completed to a reasonable standard. Apart from the fact that certain parts of the legislation apply only to leaseholders but not full renters, and that there is also differentiation in the protections that apply depending… Continue reading Service Charges: Unreasonable Laws

Complaints Procedures, Damp and mould, Housing Law, Housing protest, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

What’s Gone Wrong at Guinness?

By Steve Sheldon*, a Guinness Partnership resident I live on the top floor of a block of flats with more than 60 homes. It’s a building owned by Guinness Partnership, a housing association that has lost its social purpose. Guinness enjoyed a good reputation in the past, but over time, we’ve seen a decline in… Continue reading What’s Gone Wrong at Guinness?

Carl, Carl Davis, Carl Davis blog, Charter, Clarion, Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, Davis, Disability, Disability Charter, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, L&Q, Neurodiversity, OHG, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Behind the Facade

Behind the Facade: L&Q, the G15, and the Fractured Reality of UK’s Social Housing by Carl Davis In the intricate tapestry of the UK's social housing landscape, few threads stand out as starkly as L&Q housing association. Boasting a rich history and grand ambitions, the association is today a microcosm of the very challenges that… Continue reading Behind the Facade

Complaints Procedures, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, OHG, Riverside, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

One Housing Strikers Reject Doubled Service Charges

By guest writer Alan Blackmore* Our absurd and unexpected balancing charge from One Housing Group (OHG) has effectively doubled our service charges for 2021–22. I am one of a group of residents living on the One Stratford estate. One Housing Group (now part of Riverside Group) is the freeholder for some of our homes. They… Continue reading One Housing Strikers Reject Doubled Service Charges