Alternative housing awards, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Rents, Service Charges, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Inflation Announcement Risks Social Rent Rises Almost 8%

The Office for National Statistics recently published inflation figures for September 2023. Tenants and residents living in housing association and council homes across the country will pay careful attention to this announcement. It is likely to be used as a basis for their April 2024 rent levels - and it is high. With inflation stubbornly… Continue reading Inflation Announcement Risks Social Rent Rises Almost 8%

Housing protest, OHG, Rent Strike, Rents, Riverside, Service Charges, Tenant & Resident Democracy

One Housing Group Keyworkers Get 11% Rent Rises

One Housing Group (OHG) keyworkers are being told to absorb a shocking 11.1% rent increase this month, according to letters that have been passed to SHAC. Selma*, a teacher on a keyworker tenancy with OHG in London, received one such letter out of the blue in September. Selma questioned the increase as housing association rent… Continue reading One Housing Group Keyworkers Get 11% Rent Rises

Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, Damp and mould, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Second Southall Estate Joins Clarion Service Charge Strike

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… Continue reading Second Southall Estate Joins Clarion Service Charge Strike

HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Rents, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy, Waive The Rents

Five Reasons to Freeze Rents, Cap Service Charges

Unfair rent rises and uncapped service charges are causing financial distress for housing association tenants and residents up and down the country. We're making a stand. The Unfair and Uncapped campaign has launched to amplify the voices of those already struggling in the cost-of-living crisis. We believe that government should freeze housing association rents when… Continue reading Five Reasons to Freeze Rents, Cap Service Charges

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, Damp and mould, Disability, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, Hyde Housing, 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

HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, MTVHA, Rent Strike, Service charge fraud, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Some Success as MTVHA Residents’ Strike Grows

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

Complaints Procedures, Equality Act, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Service charge fraud, Staff Concerns, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Service Charge Strike Starts at LJHA

Tenants and residents of Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) have reported to SHAC with further concerns about their landlord’s conduct, and have announced that they have begun a service charge strike. SHAC published an article in May 2022 (Leeds Jewish HA: a Cause for Concern) which highlighted concerns over the landlord’s service charging mechanisms. The… Continue reading Service Charge Strike Starts at LJHA

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

Clarion Service Charge Strike Victory!

A Clarion tenant has become the first to secure restoration of her previous year’s service charge through strike action. She will no longer need to pay the increase applied by her landlord on the 1st April 2023. Earlier this year, Clarion notified Anna that from 1st April, her payments would rise from £16.39 to £107.96 per week,… Continue reading Clarion Service Charge Strike Victory!

Complaints Procedures, Electricity Charges, Fire Safety & Cladding, Gas, Gas Charges, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, OHG, Rent Strike, Riverside, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Newham One Housing Group Residents Join Service Charge Strike Wave

Almost 30 households from an estate in the London Borough of Newham have begun a partial service charge strike, and are withholding payment of retrospective charges. The strike is in protest at the actions of their landlord One Housing Group, and managing agents Haus Block Management. Simon*, who lives on the estate explained that the… Continue reading Newham One Housing Group Residents Join Service Charge Strike Wave