Alternative housing awards, Auctions and Sales, Complaints Procedures, Housing Law, Housing protest, Regeneration

Strong Message, Weak Sanctions, Changing Views

It could make pretty depressing reading. A group of the largest housing associations in the UK routinely shrugging off repeated findings of serious mismanagement by the Housing Ombudsman. A sector enjoying the protection of a government too scared to effectively regulate them because they help plug gaps in public housing policy. But tenants, residents, and… Continue reading Strong Message, Weak Sanctions, Changing Views

Complaints Procedures, Fire Safety & Cladding, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, OHG, Riverside, Service Charges, Tenant & Resident Democracy, Uncategorized

OHG One Stratford Residents’ Two Year Battle Over Cladding Continues

A One Housing Resident writes Residents say that after two years of cladding meetings, there remains no foreseeable end in sight for One Stratford residents. June 2024 will mark four years since we, as residents of the One Stratford estate in East London, were officially told that our homes were unsafe and in need of… Continue reading OHG One Stratford Residents’ Two Year Battle Over Cladding Continues

Anti-Social Behaviour, ASB, Autism, Carl, Carl Davis, Carl Davis blog, Clarion, Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, Disability, Disability Charter, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest

No Warning Flags from Disabled Resident’s Death

By Carl Davis The Housing Ombudsman's finding of severe maladministration against Clarion Housing Group, the largest housing association in Britain, over the preventable death of Mark Pearce went almost uncommented upon within the social housing sector. There were no hastily convened press conferences of executives apologising for the mistreatment of Mark. No outpourings of horror… Continue reading No Warning Flags from Disabled Resident’s Death

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

Complaints Procedures, Fire Safety & Cladding, Housing Law, RAAC, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, Tenant & Resident Democracy

RAAC: The Next Housing Scandal?

Anyone with any eyes on the news at the moment will have caught articles about the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, or RAAC in some buildings. This weaker concrete can crumble if it isn't properly maintained and therefore needs regular inspection. While media commentary has focussed on schools and other public buildings, many members… Continue reading RAAC: The Next Housing Scandal?

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

Carl, Carl Davis, Carl Davis blog, Charter, Clarion, Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, Davis, Disability, Disability Charter, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, OHG, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Behind the Facade

Behind the Facade: L&Q, the G15, and the Fractured Reality of UK’s Social Housing by Carl Davis In the intricate tapestry of the UK's social housing landscape, few threads stand out as starkly as L&Q housing association. Boasting a rich history and grand ambitions, the association is today a microcosm of the very challenges that… Continue reading Behind the Facade

Complaints Procedures, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, OHG, Riverside, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

One Housing Strikers Reject Doubled Service Charges

By guest writer Alan Blackmore* Our absurd and unexpected balancing charge from One Housing Group (OHG) has effectively doubled our service charges for 2021–22. I am one of a group of residents living on the One Stratford estate. One Housing Group (now part of Riverside Group) is the freeholder for some of our homes. They… Continue reading One Housing Strikers Reject Doubled Service Charges

Complaints Procedures, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, SBHA, SBHG, Service Charges, Shepherds Bush Housing Association, Shepherds Bush Housing Group, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Shepherds Bush Service Charge Strikers Fight On

We are desperate, this felt like the only way to get them to listen to us” Paula*, Shepherds Bush Housing Group leaseholder These are the words of a frustrated leaseholder at William Perkins Court in Greenford, West London. She and other residents are describing why they felt forced to withhold payment of their service charges.… Continue reading Shepherds Bush Service Charge Strikers Fight On

Clarion, Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, 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