Complaints Procedures, Housing Law, Housing protest, Service Charges, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Lessons from the Housing Ombudsman’s Findings at LJHA

Peter is celebrating his vindication by the Ombudsman, which has upheld his complaint of mistreatment by Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA). The case however highlights weaknesses in this part of the justice system for tenants and residents, and the need for more powerful enforcement when landlords fail. The complaint concerned service charges, diminished services as… Continue reading Lessons from the Housing Ombudsman’s Findings at LJHA

Clarion, Clarion Housing, Complaints Procedures, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rent Strike, Rents, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Clarion: Over 70 Southall Residents Start Service Charge Strike

Around 70 residents have notified their landlord, Clarion, that they will be partially withholding payments in a dispute over rent and service charge levels, plus contested service charge items. The residents have formed a collective of some 60-strong households covering their estate in Southall, West London. Shana, a striking resident has explained that the group… Continue reading Clarion: Over 70 Southall Residents Start Service Charge Strike

Complaints Procedures, Damp and mould, Disability, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, Hyde Housing, L&Q, MTVHA, NHG, Notting Hill, Notting Hill Genesis, OHG, Optivo, Peabody Trust, Rent Strike, Rents, Riverside, Sanctuary Housing, SBHA, SBHG, Service Charges, 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

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

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

Carl, Carl Davis, Carl Davis blog, Complaints Procedures, Damp and mould, Davis, Disability, Disability Charter, Equality Act, Fire Safety & Cladding, HA Service Charges, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Neurodiversity, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Staff Concerns, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Housing Ombudsman on Good KIM

By SHAC with additional commentary by Carl Davis KIM in this context stands for knowledge and information management, and is the subject of a new Spotlight report by the Housing Ombudsman. The report is a combination of casework data and fresh, specially commissioned research. The report is well-evidenced and reaches 21 logical recommendations for social… Continue reading Housing Ombudsman on Good KIM

Complaints Procedures, Damp and mould, Fire Safety & Cladding, Health and Safety, Housing Law, Housing protest, Rents, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts, Tenant & Resident Democracy

Action on Disrepairs Protest

Rohana* has contacted SHAC. She tells us about the appalling conditions that her sister and her severely disabled nephew are having to endure. Her landlord is Peabody and they are refusing to repair the leak causing the damp and mould. The photos show the kitchen ceiling before and after it collapsed. The kitchen is no… Continue reading Action on Disrepairs Protest

Complaints Procedures, Gas Charges, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, Regeneration, Rents, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Service Cuts

Challenging Service Charges: Following The Money

Challenging service charge inaccuracies is a long, bitter annual struggle for housing association tenants and residents. The process appears to be designed to confuse, wear down, and frustrate any attempt at scrutiny, even though the service charge bills are often for hefty payments that households are obliged to make, even when they know they are… Continue reading Challenging Service Charges: Following The Money

Complaints Procedures, Electricity Charges, Fire Safety & Cladding, Gas, Gas Charges, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, OHG, Rent Strike, Riverside, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, 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, Electricity Charges, Gas Charges, HA Service Charges, Housing Law, Housing protest, L&Q, Peabody Trust, Rents, Service charge fraud, Service Charges, Southern Housing, Staff Concerns, Tenant & Resident Democracy, Utilities

Hexagon Households Start Service Charge Strike

The service charge strike wave continues. A significant number of households from the same Hexagon estate in London are the latest group of housing association residents to inform their landlord that they are withholding payment in a dispute over service charges. The residents describe being forced to take this step as a last resort “in… Continue reading Hexagon Households Start Service Charge Strike