By Ella Austen It’s a truth universally acknowledged that arrogance and idiocy frequently travel together. “Empty vessels make the most noise” says Shakespeare in Henry V. And while Plus Dane Housing, a housing association primarily operating in the North West, may not share the Bard’s grandeur, it certainly compensates in how flagrantly they display this… Continue reading Beware the Brainless Inquisition
By Carl Davis Social landlords increasingly use 'vulnerability' as the organising principle of their support frameworks. It sounds caring, progressive, human-centred. But in the topsy-turvy world of social landlords, this innocuous word becomes something else entirely. Here, we offer a case study concerning Britain's largest housing association, L&Q, showing how such sleight of hand works… Continue reading Eight Ways That Landlords Subvert Disability Law
By Deborah I was convicted in December 2025 for subletting my social housing - something that is commonplace and legal only after tenants have written permission from their landlord, which I did not obtain. Taking the law into my own hands to keep safe was counter-intuitive and risky but I still cannot say for certain… Continue reading Fear and Subletting in Social Housing
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 Ella Austen The paperwork that ties me to Plus Dane Housing was written in 1989. I was a barely sentient one year old. My name isn’t on it. Plus Dane’s name isn’t on it. Yet somehow, this paperwork legally binds me to pay them money every month for services that aren't delivered. I bought… Continue reading Plus Dane Charging Thousands for Services We Never See
By Arti Dillon My experience tells me that having people shipped off to expensive locations isn't new. As a teenager, we were placed in a hotel room in central London because we couldn't afford a rent deposit after cuts to benefits that would have previously provided rent deposits for low income families. Our new, temporary… Continue reading A Million Empty Homes and a Housing Shortage
It started off with a complaint about serious antisocial behaviour (ASB) by a neighbour, and ended up with the resident taking the extraordinary step of sending court bailiffs to one of the largest housing associations in England (L&Q), to recover the compensation awarded to him by a county court. SHAC member and L&Q resident Dean… Continue reading The Resident Who Turned the Tables and Sent the Bailiffs into L&Q’s Head Office
By Michael Savell, SHAC Committee Member It appears that anyone who rents a flat, or was unfortunate enough to have bought a share of a flat through shared ownership, has the same issues. High and unregulated service charges being one of the major complaints that SHAC and other campaign groups receive. What is not generally… Continue reading Invisible Tenants, Forgotten Victims
By George Morris I am a resident of Abbeyfield Chester, a retirement scheme that claims its residents enjoy supported housing with “high standards of accommodation, companionship and a support service designed to promote independence”; at least that’s according to the Abbeyfield website. They also claim to treat residents with dignity and respect. This is all… Continue reading The Great Abbeyfield Illusion
A story of injustice, discrimination against leaseholders, and a broken housing system By Gill Perceval 2008 and Mum was living in a house in Langley. She was active, sociable and hands-on in helping others. After losing her husband and suffering some health issues, she became aware of Extra Care Developments which were to be built… Continue reading Jean’s Story: Life and Death with Shared Ownership
