anyone aware if there is a housing association ombudsman??

the_devil_made_me_do_it · 8 February 2007 at 8:50PM

I live in housing association property, and have been plagued with a variety of aged children recklessly playing football close to my house. I wouldn't normally be concerned, but after my last car was damaged by footballs, I deceided (once I bought my new car) to report these incidents to the housing association.

This problem has been going on since spring 06, and so far, the housing association has done nothing. The tenancy agreement states that anyone living or visiting a tenant, the tenant is responsible for their behaviour especially when in infringes on the peace of others. I have repeatedly pointed this out to the housing association, and still they do nothing.

Any advice would be appreciated.

alwaysonthego_2 · 8 February 2007 at 9:04PM

have you tried contacting the enviromental health department responsible for dealing with anti social behavour

GeorginaAlexi · 8 February 2007 at 9:04PM

only way the HA will listen is of you get MP involved, amasing the speed that things get done once higher up are aware of any problems.

the_devil_made_me_do_it · 8 February 2007 at 9:06PM

alwaysonthego wrote:

have you tried contacting the enviromental health department responsible for dealing with anti social behavour

Yes but because I had the housing association involved, they wouldn't take the problem onboard.

I think I may try again tho' because ha told me they were closing the case as they couldn't see the problem.

alwaysonthego_2 · 8 February 2007 at 9:09PM

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote:

Yes but because I had the housing association involved, they wouldn't take the problem onboard.

I think I may try again tho' because ha told me they were closing the case as they couldn't see the problem.

yes,you should ensure they take you seriously, good luck.

the_devil_made_me_do_it · 8 February 2007 at 9:29PM

alwaysonthego wrote:

yes,you should ensure they take you seriously, good luck.

that seems the problem, I don't think the HA is taking my concerns seriously. They say they have asked others in the area, and have received no responses which correspond with my complaint. Yet, I know from speaking to other people in the area, that they too are sick of the ball games, so I'm not sure whether the HA have actually carried out door to door questioning, and if they have, they've no doubt knocked on the doors of the parents whos children are causing the problem.

skintas_2 · 8 February 2007 at 11:34PM

do your housing association have wardens mine do, i can phone them up and report a problem, they can come out and take staments and get evidence of anti social behaviour. take photos discretley so then you have proff if none of the other neighbours ar prepared to give statements

Savvy_Sue · 9 February 2007 at 12:38AM

They do, but you have to exhaust the HA's complaints procedure before you can go higher up the chain.

Ask for their complaints procedure and it should include the fact that if the problem is not resolved you can take it higher.

note you are making a complaint about their failure to deal with the ball games, not a complaint about the ball games. IYSWIM.

CFC · 9 February 2007 at 12:59AM

Have you reported the behaviour to the HA in letter form rather than phone call? Please remember you may be the only one to report it as it is possible that other people are intimidated by reprisals from the gang of youngsters. Don't forget to mention that in your letter as well.

Next step - keep a log of all the times that the children have caused a nuisance. Do this religously, then approach your local copshop and ask to speak to your local beat manager. Write to the HA again, saying that you have discussed the issue with your local beat manager, and enclose photocopies of the logs. I think you'll find that the HA stop just ignoring you and are then willing to open discussions with you.

PS Environmental health are not the right route in this kind of situation. Forget about trying to get them interested.

the_devil_made_me_do_it · 9 February 2007 at 8:11PM

No we don't have wardens.

I believe I have already exhausted the complaints procedure, that's why I'm considering approaching the ombudsman.

I have been sent logs to fill in and have spoken with the local police, but still nothing has been done, because they say other tenants haven't got any problems, so they've closed the case. Obviously I can't pursuade tenants to feel the way I do about protecting out property, but I'm 99% sure that the police and HA have only spoken with tenants whose children are involved in the behavour, that's if they've actually spoken with anyone at all.

I just sometimes think is it just me, or am I gonna get a shock when someone's car window is smashed??

Buster_Danog · 9 February 2007 at 8:23PM

Sorry, I have kind of skim read this thread. My only advice is to be careful with the local ombudsman if you do find one. If he finds in favour of the housing association they will use it as a stick to beat you with. Make sure you have exhausted other avenues first including your MP, and possibly a local paper.

I empathise as I live on a council estate the type of thing you describe is a daily occurence.

anyone aware if there is a housing association ombudsman??

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