"Housing associations" Are you having problems?

[HelenaDove]

Being covered in The Guardian,

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/apr/11/no-one-calls-the-housing-association-repairs-line-theres-no-point#comment-96476391

Right apparently we are 68p in credit. But they are still insistent that we have to pay the rent weekly in advance.

We cant do that as HB is 4 weekly in arrears which they were happy to agree to back in 1994. (it was paid weekly in the early 2000s when we were working) but the rest of the time and in the present day it is paid 4 weekly in arrears.

Whats changed in 23 years? Their computer system....thats what changed.

Our tenancy agreement does say weekly in advance but they have accepted the way its paid for the past 23 years .............until last month.

It's to do with the change over to universal credit. Because there will be a minimum gap in benefits of 4 weeks during the cross over all social landlords are now expecting rent accounts to be 4 weeks in advance.

It may be why they are doing it but there are better ways to deal with it than threatening tenants with eviction and handing out notices to seek possession.

Cider i did wonder about that. I went down to my local council earlier and it turned out i was the second one to pop down there today.

Saw a very helpful young bloke who thought it was an isolated incident until i rocked up. He rang up someone who told him all the HAs are doing it.

If its because of Universal Credit why dont they say that in the letters. And why not more notice instead of saying they suddenly want the rent weekly in advance right now with no notice at all. Not having a go at anyone. Im just bloody annoyed.

Have started a seperate thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2978114-URGENT-Do-you-rent-from-a-HOUSING-ASSOCIATION-Do-you-claim-HB-Then-please-READ-THIS?watched=1&msgid=70400102#70400102

"@HydeHousing 83 yr old male tenant living alone & on high dosage pain relief constantly keeps falling over trying to get into the bath. Light hasn't worked in bathroom for a week. You told him to piss in a bucket and get @age_uk to change the bulb! Communal area of flats is filthy despite being 'cleaned' on 10/7. Also a buggy is blocking the fire exit. The fact that you won't make adaptations to a bathroom to help an elderly man with mobility issues is sad quite frankly"

Had a phone update with the bloke from the council. Hes been very helpful.

Ive also seen some comments elsewhere from people already on UC That is also paid 4 weeks in arrears so everyone in a similar situation is going to have to pay a bit to get ahead.

Make housing associations subject to FoI says industry bosses
by David Sharman Published 18 Jul 2017
0
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A proposed law making housing associations subject to the Freedom of Information Act has won the backing of the regional and national press trade body.

The News Media Association is supporting a bill which has been proposed and drafted by the Campaign for Freedom of Information.

The CFOI is urging MPs who won the right to introduce their own bill in a ballot last week to sponsor their Freedom of Information (Contractors etc) Bill, which would allow the public to see information held by contractors about public services they provide.

The bill would apply to contracts delivered either by commercial bodies or charities, and would also bring local child safeguarding boards and housing associations under the FoI Act.

Parliament 1

For the bill to go forward at this stage one of 20 MPs who were successful in the 29 June Private Members Bill ballot would need sponsor it.

Maurice Frankel, CFOI director, said: “Housing associations have for years actively resisted coming under FOI. The result is that when questions are put to them they can fold their arms, look the other way and refuse to answer.

“Concern about the safety of their premises after the Grenfell fire makes that unsustainable

www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/family-offered-50-after-toilet-collapse-nightmare-1-8162002

"A FAMILY has been left ‘outraged’ after a housing management company offered them £50 compensation for ‘seven weeks of hell’. Wayne Sweeney from Havant rang Guinness Partnership reporting a leak like ‘a waterfall’ had streamed down the walls of his 
living room and hallway but after survey it was deemed safe"

"He said: ‘I’m still concerned for the safety of my family as they assured me my ceiling was safe and two weeks later the ceiling collapsed and 
our toilet fell through the floor. ‘It was only by the grace of God my wife who is 36 weeks pregnant or my eight-year-old son with cerebral palsy were not sitting on it at the time.’ Wayne reported the incident to the Guinness Partnership and waited for a contractor. He said: ‘They finally sent someone round who said he was a windows and doors man and had no idea what he was looking for."

"We have had this going on for seven weeks with them not coming round and not answering our calls. ‘My wife, Stacey and son, Cohen have had their summer holiday ruined because they have had to wait in for these people to come round.’ When the young family had a contractor round to fix their bathroom, Wayne explained: ‘The plumber said the chipboard that had been used was not waterproof. ‘They also said the extractor fan had been installed the wrong way, the pump was incorrect and the shower tiles had not been grouted. ‘Basically everything that could be wrong, was.’ Wayne spoke to the Guinness Partnership and he said: ‘They offered me £50 in compensation. ‘That is all they thought my family was worth. ‘My wife had to go to the hospital due to the stress these people have put us through.’ A spokeswoman for The Guinness Partnership said, ‘We’re really sorry that Mr Sweeney has had problems in his home. ‘We’ve now almost completed the repairs and we will be meeting with him next week to check that he is happy with the work and to discuss any further issues."

www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=4126

Blimey, this is a bit like being at work. I dread it when I get a referral for a client that's an HA tenant, because I know that the housing officer will be impossible to get hold of, disrepair will be an insoluble issue and their rent management system will be bonkers.

At one time, I'd have referred some of the worst cases to a housing solicitor at an advice service, but because of cuts in legal aid/legal services commission funding, they hardly have any capacity and can only take on a very limited range of cases.

All I can advise is to use the HAs formal complaints procedure and take cases to the housing ombudsman.

This is five years old but ive only just found it. Social housing workman sets fire to row of houses after using blowtorch on guttering.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2202025/Bungling-workman-burns-row-houses-tries-fix-gutter-blowtorch.html

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-pensioner-died-pain-after-10448865

"Shocking injurys to my mother after Keepmoat left there tools unattended in here home in 2015.a shovel went through her face to the back of her head and a elec saw went through her knee cap.she wos on chemo to extend her life as she had brain tumors and lung cancer.she wos registered 50 percent blind.they left there tools a elec saw plugged in and a shovel left standing on its handle blade side up in her home outside her bathroom and toilet.they had finished there work it wos ddinner time I saw them go past the front window leaving for there dinner.we didn't know they had left there tool's behind my mother went to the toilet her foot got caught in the elec saw wich went on and went straight through her legs to the bone.she landed on the shovel her face wos sliced in half it went to the back of her head wich exposed her scull.other workman for keepmoat heard our screams from outside her front door I had to slide my mother in her own blood to get the door open all the workman pilled in our home grabbed all there tools took them and left me and my mother on the floor and just watched I had to scream for other ppl to help me.she could not have no more chemo because of her injurys her leg wos still open to the bone 9 month's after it happened I tried to get health and safety out to the sheltered accommodation your homes newcasle were my mother lived.keepmoat were doing restoration on it.my mother died never being able to walk again her face disfigured and life expectancy made short.that wos in feb 2015.we'v never had no apologies my number had been blocked and ignored from the civic centre and your homes newcasle when it happened it has been in the local papers twice I carried my mothers claim on and have only just had offer of £9.970 disgusting I think ill take my chances in court with them"

Steve Topple‏Verified account
@MrTopple
1h1 hour ago
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Umm, hello @AffinitySutton. We've had major electrical issues since 11.30pm last night, meaning no fridge/freezer and no shower. Sadly, your repairs service is not open at weekends. So, what are you going to do about it? Many thanks.
4 replies . 15 retweets 11 likes
Reply 4 Retweeted 15 Like 11 Direct message

Steve Topple‏Verified account
@MrTopple
3m3 minutes ago
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No, really @AffinitySutton - what if we were reliant on breathing equipment? Or insulin dependent? You would actually be putting our lives at risk by not having an emergency repairs number

Replying to @MrTopple @AffinitySutton
We had similar fault, even with emergency number we were still without for DAYS and then HA billed us for calling emergency no despite it being because we had NO ELECTRICITY!

Jude‏
@faybijou
11h
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Is that what it's come to? No emergency number!! 😮
1 reply . 2 retweets 3 likes
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Steve Topple‏Verified account
@MrTopple
10h
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Yup. What would someone who relied on breathing equipment do, @AffinitySutton - just out of interest? Would you let them die, or...?
1 reply . 3 retweets 3 likes
Reply 1 Retweeted 3 Like 3 Direct message

Jude‏
@faybijou
10h
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Can you contact .... not sure 'what' they are.. local power company. If we have a power cut Western power have an emergency number we can call. Bypass the HA/council? Or phone your local councillor?
1 reply . 0 retweets 1 like
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Nicola Jeffery‏
@NicolaCJeffery
9h
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Unfortunately if we attempted to we would then be in breach of our tenancy agreement...? x x x
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Jude‏
@faybijou
Follow Follow @faybijou
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Replying to @NicolaCJeffery @MrTopple @AffinitySutton
😮 That's disgraceful! WTH @AffinitySutton ? Come on... you must have SOMEONE working today to cover emergencies? @scullyp can you help this family

Steve Topple‏Verified account
@MrTopple
3h
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Nearly 48 hours in, and still not sorted..

Nicola Jeffery‏
@NicolaCJeffery
3h3 hours ago
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Replying to @NicolaCJeffery @faybijou and 2 others
On a lighter note, fridge-freezers now fully defrosted. Shame about the food that was lost. Its not good enough, I pay my increased rent. X
0 replies . 0 retweets 2 likes
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Nicola Jeffery‏
@NicolaCJeffery
3h3 hours ago
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Replying to @faybijou @MrTopple @AffinitySutton
Although have been told not to use any appliances, my heating is working as are some light-switches, still NO large appliances tho. :(

Steve Topple‏Verified account
@MrTopple
2h2 hours ago
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Replying to @MrTopple @AffinitySutton
Well, it's 4.30pm, hour 66 and still no electrician to restore us to full power.

Steve Topple‏Verified account
@MrTopple
1h1 hour ago
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"Replying to @MrTopple @AffinitySutton and 10 others
So, now hour 71 and an electrician has been. Says one of the RCD's has gone, but he can't do anything about it as he's a contractor. So, will have to wait until the morning for @AffinitySutton to fix it. He noted that this should have been an emergency call in the first place..."