Housing campaigners began occupying a four bedroom house in Hastings to prevent it being sold at auction by housing association Southern Housing. Southern withdrew another family home from auction earlier this year after a similar protest by members of Housing Rebellion. Protestors are demanding that Southern Housing stop selling off homes and instead rent this… Continue reading Housing Protestors Occupy Southern and Peabody Homes
During the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, we learned of numerous impending legislative changes for the housing sector. Perhaps most relevant to SHAC’s new antisocial behaviour (ASB) campaign is the Hillsborough Law. This law will place a duty of candour on public servants and authorities. It is expressly designed to ‘address the unacceptable defensive… Continue reading ASB and the AntiSocial Social Landlord
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
By Mary Pimm Despite the vile weather on the evening of Thursday 8th February, tenants gathered at a packed housing meeting in Westminster. It brought together those living on various ex-crown estates which had been transferred some time ago to Peabody Trust. The agenda had a single item only: the fact that Peabody proposes to… Continue reading Peabody Crown Estate Tenants Resist 9.4% Rent Rises
A coalition of housing campaigners protested the Affordable Housing Awards on Friday 17th November. The event was held at the prestigious Old Trafford grounds in Manchester. The awards are presented annually to councils, housing associations, and their partners at an event organised by Inside Housing magazine and Reach PLC. Tenants and residents expressed their anger… Continue reading Protestors’ Anger at ‘Affordable’ Housing Awards
A coalition of housing campaigners will be protesting the Affordable Housing Awards which take place from mid-day on Friday 17th November. The event is being held at the prestigious Old Trafford grounds in Manchester. The awards are presented annually to councils, housing associations, and their partners at an event organised by Inside Housing magazine and… Continue reading Protestors Target Housing Awards
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 service charge strike wave continues. A significant number of households from the same Hexagon estate in London are the latest group of housing association residents to inform their landlord that they are withholding payment in a dispute over service charges. The residents describe being forced to take this step as a last resort “in… Continue reading Hexagon Households Start Service Charge Strike
A ‘Notice of Service Charge Strike’ has been sent to the Peabody executive, signed by the residents of 42 flats on an estate in central London. The residents are withholding all or part of their service charge payments over concerns that: Some of the charges appear to be opaque, completely unjustified [and] plucked out of… Continue reading Service Charge Strike Notice Served on Peabody
