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

Clarion Tenants’ Five Point Improvement Plan

Tenants and residents of the UK's largest housing association, Clarion, have written an open letter containing a five point plan and 33 recommendations to improve the landlord's performance after it ignored their appeal for a meeting. Addressed to chief executive, Clare Miller, the letter covers service issues and service charges, complaints handling, disrepairs, routine and… Continue reading Clarion Tenants’ Five Point Improvement Plan

Complaints Procedures, Disability, Fire Safety & Cladding, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Hyde Housing, L&Q, MTVHA, NHG, Notting Hill, Notting Hill Genesis, OHG, Onward, Optivo, Peabody Trust, places for people, Riverside, SBHA, SBHG, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Shepherds Bush Housing Association, Shepherds Bush Housing Group, Southern Housing, Tenant & Resident Democracy

New Research Reveals Devastation in Wake of Service Charge Abuse

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

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, Damp and mould, Fire Safety & Cladding, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rents, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Action on Disrepairs Protest

Rohana* has contacted SHAC. She tells us about the appalling conditions that her sister and her severely disabled nephew are having to endure. Her landlord is Peabody and they are refusing to repair the leak causing the damp and mould. The photos show the kitchen ceiling before and after it collapsed. The kitchen is no… Continue reading Action on Disrepairs Protest

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, Gas Charges, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Regeneration, Rents, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts

Challenging Service Charges: Following The Money

Challenging service charge inaccuracies is a long, bitter annual struggle for housing association tenants and residents. The process appears to be designed to confuse, wear down, and frustrate any attempt at scrutiny, even though the service charge bills are often for hefty payments that households are obliged to make, even when they know they are… Continue reading Challenging Service Charges: Following The Money

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