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 Dave Lake, MTVHA Resident and Chair of Royal Mint Court Residents Association My residents' association needs to raise £30,000 to have a fighting chance of success at a public inquiry into the relocation of the Chinese Embassy to our estate. We are fighting to prevent the Chinese government's plans for a super-embassy next to… Continue reading Financial Appeal: MTVHA Residents v Chinese Embassy
With great fanfare in the dog-days of the last government, Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) were introduced amid claims that they would improve "the transparency, influence and accountability" of social landlords. The TSMs have been around a while now, but where is the promised increase in accountability? Measuring Performance The TSMs require all social landlords to… Continue reading So Housing Association Tenant Satisfaction Scores Are Terrible – Now What?
In the last week, SHAC has resisted three attempts at censorship by housing associations indicating that the sector increasingly feels threatened by organised tenant and resident groups. We found out that we are not alone. Tweets Get Hearts Fluttering The first attempt was by landlords unhappy at a series of SHAC Tweets naming senior executives… Continue reading SHAC Uncensored
Residents on The Rise estate have notified their landlord MTVH that they are embarking on a service charge strike over disputed charges and their failure to engage. The Rise estate comprises three blocks near Wembley, west London. Residents had requested a statement of their charges and the invoice pack, and were legally entitled to receive… Continue reading MTVH: Rise Residents on Service Charge Strike
By Yasmin Barnes*, a Northcourt resident This article was for SHAC was promised in July, not long after a meeting between our MP and the chief executive of our landlord, MTVH, over incorrect service charges; a complaint that had already dragged on for ten months. We delayed sending it because we thought it might be… Continue reading North Court Residents Challenge MTVH’s £14k Attempted Overcharge
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
SHAC and FindOthers have published research which highlights the extent and impact of service charge abuse by housing associations. The findings reveal the shocking effects of twin factors, with high levels of inaccuracy allowed to go unchecked by any government regulation or control, combined with a fierce resistance by landlords to addressing inaccuracies even when… Continue reading New Research Reveals Devastation in Wake of Service Charge Abuse
The dispute by the Royal Mint Court Residents Association (RMCRA) in east London is now underway after their landlord, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association (MTVHA), failed to fully address their issues. A small group of RMCRA members notified MTVHA of their intention to strike at the end of 2022 unless a series of concerns over… Continue reading Some Success as MTVHA Residents’ Strike Grows
More than 400 tenants and residents have pledged to support rent and service charge strikes in protest at rent increases and extortionate service charge rises, which will coincide with further hikes in energy bills. The pledges were made by tenants and residents actively resisting sharp rises in housing costs which are threatening the affordability of… Continue reading Rent & Service Charge Strike Pledges Grow
