Service charge but no service from HA

Aygo

I moved in to a new build street a year and a half ago and I rent from a Housing Association. A service charge is added to the rent for CCTV. There have been several break ins now including cars broken into on the drives, enquires to HA found that the images would not be clear enough to make anyone out, day or night and the camera's were not manned.
In the past week there have been 3 break ins on the street (broad daylight) and I went out and bought a burglar alarm since I work all day. Ive since noticed that everyday for a week now though could be longer, the camera is facing one house, hasn't moved at all even though the HA know about the break ins. The positioning of the camera will only pick up one house and not two sides of the street (approx 26 houses). I have my doubts that this camera is even working as have other residents on the street. Does anyone know rights regarding service charges? Ive did an online search but haven't found anything, I will contact the HA but need some advice first as I have more faith in my burglar alarm and is a one off payment rather than paying every month for a service that clearly im not getting. Many thanks for reading and any advice.

AlwaysWorking

Hi. Could you possibly ask the HA to detail exactly what the service charge covers? I know that owners often contact me in my job thinking their management fee only covers say gardening when there are usually other things included. Then I would speak to my neighbours to find out what they think. I'd request a meeting between the residents and the HA to discuss matters.

property.advert

It is incredulous that new cameras do not produce pictures of sufficient resolution but that is unfortunately an area where those deciding upon the specification are unqualified to do so. Quality colour recordings to hard drive with permanent or semi permanent long term storage is easy and relatively cheap these days. Future upgrades should be to cameras only as the storage system should be expandable and future proof. Essentially, you can do it on a PC with backups to DVD.

As for the HA and service charges, you need to find out exactly what it covers. There will be a document detailing this. Once you have that in your possession, you can pull them up on non performance.

Aygo

Thank you both for your responses, the charge was listed as loft aerial maintenance, grass maintenance and CCTV. One of the neighbours did have a word with the area housing officer after writing to the Council and complaining about the clarity of the camera. The response was that it was against people's "Civil Rights" to be filmed or words to that effect. Checking today the camera still hasn't moved, that is now 10 days since I started looking on my way to work and back.
Thanks again for your help.

Fire_Fox

A friend of mine has a good quality colour CCTV camera on his property, it cost £10K I think. AFAIK you can film people in the street, as he has used the evidence in a licensing hearing, but not on their own property/ in their own homes. Just because the camera hasn't moved proves nothing, it might be a fixed camera!

property.advert

Fire_Fox wrote: »

A friend of mine has a good quality colour CCTV camera on his property, it cost £10K I think. AFAIK you can film people in the street, as he has used the evidence in a licensing hearing, but not on their own property/ in their own homes. Just because the camera hasn't moved proves nothing, it might be a fixed camera!

I have a 4 camera system, colour, reasonably high definition (good enough for face recognition and police action), infra red sensors, low light capability and can be set to permanent record or motion sensitive (variable) and recorded to hard drive with 1 month 4 camera recording which cost me around £400/500. Not sure of prices in the UK but nowhere near £10k for sure.

blckbrd

Aygo wrote: »

The response was that it was against people's "Civil Rights" to be filmed or words to that effect.

That's just weak opinion being given as fact.

Couple of questions - Is your street part of a bigger estate where there are other cameras of similar/better quality? Are they working?

The charge may relate to a wider provision of service than the camera in your street but if none of the cameras are effective then there may be an argument for having the charge removed. There's strength in numbers so maybe you and your neighbours can complain as a group.

If you are being charged for a service then it should be provided. Intermittent failure - like the camera breaking down for a few days - may not lead to a reduction in charge but a total absence of provision should. I'd say cameras that can't take useful pictures is a total absence.

Initiate the HA's formal complaints process and continue through the stages until you achieve your desired outcome. If you are still not satisfied, refer the matter to the Housing Ombudsman http://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/canda.aspx?nm=18 . The site's a bit gippy at the moment - use the links on the left-hand menu for more info.

You might consider doing a CCTV Subject Access request so you have evidence of the picture quality. Wander round in the sight-line of the camera(s) and provide the HA with the date and time. Should be interesting viewing.

poppysarah

property.advert wrote: »

I have a 4 camera system, colour, reasonably high definition (good enough for face recognition and police action), infra red sensors, low light capability and can be set to permanent record or motion sensitive (variable) and recorded to hard drive with 1 month 4 camera recording which cost me around £400/500. Not sure of prices in the UK but nowhere near £10k for sure.

Our CCTV captured a fireworks fight between youths. They got fined by the police because of it

Aygo

This area is being developed, old houses being knocked down and new builds put in place. There are 3 camera's in the 3 areas. Each are on a high fixed pole in the middle of the street that can view the houses on either side if fixed to the straight ahead position and the camera's are small round devices that circle 360 degrees. I have heard though that the police asked the HA for a DVD of the day of the last break in and were told they couldn't as the camera's weren't working. In regards to the quality, the video will not make out faces and will be less than useless in the dark.
A few good suggestions though and thanks for them, I will pass this info to my neighbours as well and probably have a meeting with the HA.