Housing Association Advice (for a mate) All assistance welcoem

d_brat81

A friend of mine has been renting from the Housing Association for 15 years.

Over the years they have been introducing new policies etc and most of the old tenants are being replaced with new ones.

She has paid her rent on time and have never had a repair. The house in in tip top condition.

The tiles in the bathroom are falling off and a few have almost hit the kids. They were notified and did nothing.

They are modernizing properties on the street however they said that they are not doing my friends because it doesn't need doing.

My friend works and they needed to change and paint the doors. They gave no notice and just showed up, obviously no one was in so they left a letter stating they came and no one was in.

A letter was sent to them stating the obvious that no one is home during the daytime because of employment/school etc and could sufficient notice be given to enable her to arrange time off work etc.

The next week a letter is hand delivered stating that the workmen would be visiting the next day. Another letter is written stating that its not sufficient notice etc.

This has been going on for the last year or so. My friend has tried her best to accommodate them but they are still just turning up and not giving notification.

They have gone so far as to falsify information stating that they are being 'refused access'.

They have now involved solicitors and threatening eviction.

Any advice, Acts, templates or pointing in the right direction welcomed.

Regards

vivatifosi

Hi there,

You may find this document useful in working out how to complain to/about a housing association:

http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/upload/pdf/Complaining_about_a_HA_March_07.pdf

Good luck!

Rebchappers

Have they tried actually speaking with someone from the housing association? Or even with the contactors/maintenance people directly? Rather than via letter, which can be delayed? You would have thought that it would be in their best interests as well as your friends to sort out a mutually convenient time. If they are threatening eviction, i would suggest paying the citizens advice a visit. They should be able to help. It doesnt seem fair, and highly OTT for the sake of arranging a convenient time!! Good luck

d_brat81

Rebchappers wrote: »

Have they tried actually speaking with someone from the housing association? Or even with the contactors/maintenance people directly? Rather than via letter, which can be delayed? You would have thought that it would be in their best interests as well as your friends to sort out a mutually convenient time. If they are threatening eviction, i would suggest paying the citizens advice a visit. They should be able to help. It doesnt seem fair, and highly OTT for the sake of arranging a convenient time!! Good luck

They have tried calling them and speaking to various people with no result.

I have told her to go CAB which she will doing on Monday.

Thank you both.

vivatifosi

Good luck for Monday, please let us know how you get on...

tbs624

If its been going on for almost a year it probably would have been better for some personal contact to have been made by your friend (ie visit/phone call) before things got to this stage.

Does your friend have copy of the HA's Tenant Handbook, which should set out the procedure for repairs? It is usually 24 hours minimum notice, except for emergency repairs. It is difficult when people work but many tenants would love their LL to get on with repainting the outside of their properties and your friend could maybe have looked at arranging for someone else to be there for the ps&ds if she couldn't be ?

If your HA is registered with the Housing Corporation, they have to have a "fair & effective" complaints procedure in place.(some are registered, some aren't). Even if not registered the HA should have some form of complaint system. Ring the HA straight away and get a copy of it.

Is there a Tenant's Association in the area?

You should encourage your friend to seek advice from Shelter if eviction is being threatened 0808 800 444 (7days 8am-8pm)

d_brat81

tbs624 wrote: »

If its been going on for almost a year it probably would have been better for some personal contact to have been made by your friend (ie visit/phone call) before things got to this stage.

Does your friend have copy of the HA's Tenant Handbook, which should set out the procedure for repairs? It is usually 24 hours minimum notice, except for emergency repairs. It is difficult when people work but many tenants would love their LL to get on with repainting the outside of their properties and your friend could maybe have looked at arranging for someone else to be there for the ps&ds if she couldn't be ?

If your HA is registered with the Housing Corporation, they have to have a "fair & effective" complaints procedure in place.(some are registered, some aren't). Even if not registered the HA should have some form of complaint system. Ring the HA straight away and get a copy of it.

Is there a Tenant's Association in the area?

You should encourage your friend to seek advice from Shelter if eviction is being threatened 0808 800 444 (7days 8am-8pm)

I have been helping her at times and believe me she has tried everything, she has written, called, tried to visit. Its easier said than done especially when they are trying to evict you and replace you with Vietnamese.

All of them on that street have been there for 12+ years with no problems at all. When this new set of people took over one by one alleged problems started popping up and one by one they were evicted as a result and replaced with Vietnamese (the owners of the HA are Vietnamese).

There are just 4 original tenants left in those properties and strangely enough each are having alleged problems which HA are refusing to rectify and threatening with solicitors and eviction.

I will let her read the comments herself.

Thank you.