By Rona Jones* Residents in shared ownership flats in the new Circus Street development, Brighton have found themselves trapped in properties that they can no longer afford due to unexplained service charge increases of up to 170%. The block of flats that I live in are new builds, consisting of a mix of flats that… Continue reading Clarion Housing’s Circus Street: Unaffordable Housing
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
Residents of One Housing Group from different but comparable blocks on the same estate (One Stratford) have pooled information about their service charges and found a level of randomness that defies explanation. It highlights what happens when landlords are allowed to impose charges without any external oversight or regulation. A survey across flats in George… Continue reading Residents Expose One Housing Group’s Service Charge Abuse
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
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%
Exactly one month from today, social landlords will be heading to Manchester for their annual booze up and backslapping. And we will be there to meet them. The UK Housing Awards was an annual self-congratulatory ceremony for housing associations, councils, and their partners. It was cancelled last year after SHAC's petition opposing the event topped… Continue reading Protest the Affordable Housing Awards
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
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
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
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
