Anti-Social Behaviour, ASB, Autism, Carl, Carl Davis, Carl Davis blog, Charter, Damp and mould, Disability Charter, Equality Act, Housing Law, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Seize the Moment: A Call for Disability Visibility in Social Housing Reforms

By Carl Davis As England's social housing sector undergoes significant regulatory and policy transformations, a crucial opportunity presents itself—one that must not be missed. It's time for focused action on disability visibility and the elimination of discrimination in social housing. This is not just a matter of compliance with the Equality Act 2010; it's about… Continue reading Seize the Moment: A Call for Disability Visibility in Social Housing Reforms

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, Housing Law, Housing protest, OHG, Riverside, 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 Charter, 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

Complaints Procedures, Gas, Gas Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rents, Riverside, Service charge fraud, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy, Water charges

Residents Expose One Housing Group’s Service Charge Abuse

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

Complaints Procedures, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, MTVHA, Service charge fraud, Tenant & Resident Democracy

North Court Residents Challenge MTVH’s £14k Attempted Overcharge

By Yasmin Barnes*, a Northcourt resident This article was for SHAC was promised in July, not long after a meeting between our MP and the chief executive of our landlord, MTVH, over incorrect service charges; a complaint that had already dragged on for ten months. We delayed sending it because we thought it might be… Continue reading North Court Residents Challenge MTVH’s £14k Attempted Overcharge

Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, Damp and mould, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Service charge fraud, 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

Auctions and Sales, Complaints Procedures, Housing Law, Housing protest, Optivo, Regeneration, Southern Housing, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Ruthless Southern’s Threat to Evict Sheltered Housing Residents

Sheltered housing residents have slammed Southern Housing for its ruthless decision to evict them in order to sell their homes By guest writer Gareth Sheppard* Since the abolition of the Housing Corporation in 2008 and the transfer of a reduced set of functions to what is now the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), rigorous scrutiny… Continue reading Ruthless Southern’s Threat to Evict Sheltered Housing Residents

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, Damp and mould, HA Service Charges, 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 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