Housing Associations Failing Tenants Despite Ombudsman Rulings By Dean Kennedy Despite falling national statistics in police-reported anti-social behaviour (ASB), social housing tenants continue to suffer disproportionately, and housing associations are persistently failing to act – even in cases where they are found at fault by the Housing Ombudsman. Recent government figures show that while police-recorded… Continue reading Social Housing Antisocial Behaviour Crisis
SHAC activists can be rightly proud of their campaigning on service charges which has forced one of the biggest associations in Britain to change the way they charge tenants (renters) and residents (leaseholders and shared owners) for services. But the battle is not over yet. Voluntary reform is always unstable and easily eroded. We need… Continue reading SHAC Activists Force Southern Housing Service Charge Reform
By Michael Savell Last week I was invited to address the local planning board for the Royal Borough of Greenwich (where I live) having objected to the removal of 86 mature trees to facilitate an extension of Kidbrooke Village. My challenge was unsuccessful and planning permission was granted. I have to say that it is… Continue reading Greenwich Councillors’ Housing Sell Out
By Carl Davis Fiona Fletcher-Smith, chief executive of London and Quadrant (L&Q), who also chairs the G15 group of large landlords, recently wrote to Michael Gove, the UK's Secretary of State for Housing, to address concerns about the alleged widespread misuse of service charges in social housing. (Inside Housing 10/05/24 and Housing Today 10/05/24). Her… Continue reading G15 Chair wags finger at Michael Gove over service charge abuse
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
A ‘Notice of Service Charge Strike’ has been sent to the Peabody executive, signed by the residents of 42 flats on an estate in central London. The residents are withholding all or part of their service charge payments over concerns that: Some of the charges appear to be opaque, completely unjustified [and] plucked out of… Continue reading Service Charge Strike Notice Served on Peabody
More than 400 tenants and residents have pledged to support rent and service charge strikes in protest at rent increases and extortionate service charge rises, which will coincide with further hikes in energy bills. The pledges were made by tenants and residents actively resisting sharp rises in housing costs which are threatening the affordability of… Continue reading Rent & Service Charge Strike Pledges Grow
When we meet Sonya*, the first thing she says is: There is no transparency, actual spend is ending up between 55% and 197% higher than estimates. We’ve experienced on average 109% increase in service charge over the past eight years, and we no clarification why. We have many questions but no answers.” Despite all our… Continue reading Another Service Charge Strike at L&Q
Optivo Housing Association, now merged with Southern Housing Group, has been accused of racism by community organisation Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL). The allegations were set out in an open letter to the landlord as the group fights the eviction of an Eritrean tenant served with a 'no fault eviction' notice by Optivo. Open… Continue reading Southern-Optivo Race Discrimination Accusation
SHAC has organised a picket of the annual UK Housing Awards after almost 54,600 people signed our petition calling on organisers to cancel the extravaganza. We are encouraging tenants, residents, housing campaigners, and all those opposed to the commercialisation of social housing to join us. The picket will take place from 11am on Friday 25th… Continue reading Protestors to Picket Housing Executives Awards Extravaganza
