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

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

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, Damp and mould, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Hyde Housing, MTVHA, NHG, Notting Hill, Notting Hill Genesis, 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

Carl, Carl Davis, Carl Davis blog, Charter, Clarion, Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, Davis, Disability Charter, Housing Law, Housing protest, Neurodiversity, 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, SBHA, SBHG, 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 Housing, 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

Alternative housing awards, Housing Law, Housing protest, Tenant & Resident Democracy, UK Housing Awards

Obituary: Barry Rowan, Housing Activist

By Niall Mulholland, SHAC Chair SHAC supporters were saddened to hear of the loss of Barry Rowan, who died unexpectedly on 1 April, aged 79 years. Barry was involved with SHAC from its beginnings and was elected to its first committee. Although reserved, Barry’s genuine concern for social housing tenants shone brightly. Barry was a… Continue reading Obituary: Barry Rowan, Housing Activist

Complaints Procedures, Electricity Charges, Fire Safety & Cladding, Gas, Gas Charges, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Riverside, Service charge fraud, 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

Complaints Procedures, Housing Law, Onward, Riverside, SBHA, SBHG, Service Cuts, Shepherds Bush Housing Association, Shepherds Bush Housing Group, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Riverside Suffers Setback on Cap for Disrepairs Compensation

Government has announced that it is to delay limiting the amount in legal costs that can be recovered for housing disrepair cases. The cap was originally introduced following intensive lobbying by housing associations - led by Riverside - as this group of landlords so often fail to make timely and effective repairs. The cap was… Continue reading Riverside Suffers Setback on Cap for Disrepairs Compensation