So what are the contractors like when doing work in my flat.

It stuck me that we have had Balfour undertake some Decent Homes work in our flat. Though they very much saved the day. Here is the story -


We have had our bathroom done already. Initially the contractor (not Balfour) appointed by the council was really bad. The agreed plan of work was ignored. The workmanship questionable.Even though I asked him to leave. The council did nothing. After an hour of initially asking him to leave I told him I was going to call the Police and have him removed. Then the council started to act.

Then the council decided to use Balfour Beatty to complete the work, as they were appointed to do the Decent Homes work.

Our experience of having Balfour in our home is a very positive one. The team are very friendly, understanding and hard working. The standard of work is very high. They are very aware they are in your home.

They had to undo much of the work of the previous work and start afresh. Though we were told two weeks. It was completed before time. Often there were many different skills working along side to get the work done.

The team we had would be welcome to undertake any works in our flat, even with all the disruption, they actually relieved much of the stress.

When it comes time to have the Kitchen & rewiring done. We hope the same team come back.

I thought the Childrens Play area would remain in part.

I am sure that the plan for the Children's Play Area on the estate. As mentioned at the residents meeting in October 2007. That the rear would be used by Balfour Beatty and the rest would be left for the children to play in.

However Balfour seem to have cordoned off the play area and are using it as a car park!

Though today, (29th January 2008) Balfour have put up ye more signs around there site office and seem to be gearing up for the major upgrade. We noticed deliveries and the first noticeable presence of the contractors today.

I will email our contact at the Council but my emails have hit a wall of silence of late.

Chief Executive of H&F Homes resigns

There have been reports. In the press and on the websites Inside Housing and Cllr. Stephen Cowan's blog. That the Audit Commission. Has given the housing department of the council a very bad review.

Prompting the resignation "by mutual consent" of the Chief Executive of H&F Homes.

We are supposed to be represented on the H&F Board

We are supposed to be represented by a tenant from our area on the Board of H&F Homes.

I believe our representative is one Janet Gaston. No doubt she does a good job.

But surely the whole point of having representation. Is that you can raise concerns/issues with your representative.

However there is no way to get hold of her via email and her address is not published.

So please leave a comment if like me you feel unrepresented as a tenant.

Heathrow Expansion. Have your say

All residents should have received a letter about the Public Meeting on the 12th February 2008 at 7.00pm concerning the plans for the expansion of Heathrow.

The meeting is taking place at Hammersmith Town Hall.

You will also have received a flyer to complete. Fill this in even if you are unable to attend to register your view.

Click here for the Councils Press Release

The website for the expansion on BAA's Heathrow Airport web site is here.

Government consultation can be found here.

There are may website against and for just by doing a search of te internet. Here are two AGAINST, FOR.

Annual Gas Safety Check.

Robert Heath Heating are undertaking the Annual Gas Safety Check for the council. The Council has a statutory obligation to get every flat checked once a year to check everyones gas supply and appliances are safe.

This year if you allow the gas check to be done on the FIRST APPOINTMENT will be entered into a draw to win £100.00.

Easier web site name to remember.

I have set up http://www.lbhf.info which will direct to this site. Plus it is easier to remember.

Still waiting for response ...

Still have recieved no email response on either the outstanding Decent Homes issues or the Overhanging trees.

Trees

The trees due to be cut back yesterday haven't been. I await an answer from Estate Services as to when.

Police Pay Award.

If you want to show your support for the Police Pay award. You mught consider signing the petition on the 10 Downing Street Website : Click Here

It closes for signatures on the 10th March 2008.

Do you sometimes feel like a "doorman" for your block?

Is there a tenant in your block who repeatedly goes out without their keys only to return and buzz every flat trying to find someone to let them in? More often or not it is you that opens the door.

Or are you the tenant who thinks it is ok to go out without your door keys because someone will let you in anyway?

I am not talking about the odd occasion when someone has genuinely misplaced their key here. I am talking about those who do it at least once, if not more, a week!

If you have lost your key to the main door one can be obtained from the Housing Office for about £10.00.

If you expect others to always let you in. You are creating a nuisance and maybe in breach of your tenancy agreement.

I don't open the door as I am more than fed up with the culprit in my block. It may sound less than neighbourly but I am not a doorman. If you don't mind going out with your key you clearly are not that bothered about getting back into the building.

Don't let them in .....

In order to keep security tight in your building where you have a main door with a door entry system here as some suggestions -

• If you don't know the person who has "buzzed" your buzzer. DON'T let them in.
• If they say they are after a specific flat and they are getting no response. Suggest they telephone the person in question. Most have a mobile phone now. Of course if they are getting no reply from the flat in question. It is pointless you letting them in as there is clearly no one in. DON'T let them in.
• Often Gas Suppliers will call saying they are from "British Gas" or it is about the "Gas". DON'T let them in. If there was a problem with your gas it would be your gas provider at the door and you would be expecting them. Or it could be the council. Typically these people try to frighten the vulnerable into switching to their gas company. They are sales people and on a commission. They have probably buzzed every flat and you were the only one who answered. Once in. They will then knock on every door. The same happens with the telephone & electric.
  
• DON'T let anyone into your home without being sure they are who they say they are. Most people like the meter readers or council will have a Name Badge. If in doubt take there name and ring their company to get confirmation. They can wait outside until you are happy about their identity. If they get short tempered. Close the door and do not let them in. Those that are genuine will not mind you checking up on them.
• If in doubt call the Police (999).
  
• Invest in a shredder. A machine that will shred all your confidential documents bank statements etc. That you would normally throw out in the bin.
  

Noise - a problem?

Living in dense housing. Noise is always going to be an issue. This is covered in your Tenants Handbook depending on which version may apply to you.

Current Tenants Handbook Page 88.

Remember you are responsible for your visitors as well.

Pruning of Overhanging Tree's

Please note the following :


Dear Tenant/ Resident


The shrubs overhanging the car park are going to be cut back on the afternoon of Thursday 24th January 2008.

To enable the operatives free access to the area we will require your vehicle to be parked in another location for a few hours.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but we will try to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Thanking you in anticipation for your co-operation.


Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.


Yours sincerely








Estates Services Manager, South Fulham.

Manhole cover missing.

There is a manhole cover missing near the childrens play area. I called the housing office last week to let them know. They duly covered it with two bollards.

Hopefully they will recover it soon.

Given the cost for scrap metal. It was probably stolen.

I will email them again to get them to look at replacing it & removing the graffiti.

Decent Homes small kitchen cupboards

The Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes) replied to my email of 20th November 2007.

The base & wall units are of standard size. Speak to Balfour and ask if they can use 700 rather than 600 units. Though this is unlikely.

Still awaiting my re-survey (17th Jan 2008)

Do you have a FreeSAT or Sky satellite Dish? You might have to take it down.

For Backgound/History see post "Introduction to Decent Homes meeting 16th October 2007.

The council submitted a planning application for this reference 2007/03566/FR3. I submitted an objection detailing the issues I have with this planned change. Though my objection is not noted.

I objected as follows :

Aerial.

On the basis that assurance has not been given with respect to our own personal aerial on the roof of the building. That we will continue to enjoy exclusive access to this after the works. We have written to the council on this, 3 Years ago.

Satellite.

That the installation of a communal satellite system and subsequent removal of existing Sky/Satellite dishes is being done where

a) Every flat that wants Sky has a dish thus making this expenditure a waste.
b) Dishes have existed for many years without the council objecting to there erection. This creates a custom/precedent for allowing such additions. I understand that the council introduced a policy some three years ago on this mater. However any dish erected before this date would be exempt as erms cannot be retrospectively applied.
c) No advice has been given to tenants with respect to their liability with Sky, and any subsequent removal of the individual dish and connection to a communal facility.
d) Would the council be responsible for any financial cost on a per existing sky customer/flat basis for a tenant breaking any term of an existing Sky contract that moving to a communal solution might incur?.
e) What about those tenants who have/use Sky Multiroom or Sky+ that requires 2 LNB's or more for the purposes of using the service.
f) What about tenants who do not use Sky and use Free-to-Air satellite services?

Is the council going to write to those who have existing permission to install this equipment? Is a survey going to be undertaken of households to see how many would be interested in using a communal satellite system? What is there is a problem with the dish and or connection? Who does the repair? What is the reporting line?

The Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes) is aware of my objections as they concern the Decent Homes Project. There is also correspondence going back three years on this issue.

Apparently there is a policy regarding the installation of Satellite dishes. Mentioned by the Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes) at the meeting of the 16th October.

I emailed the Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes) on 29th October 2007 asking for either a copy of the policy or instructions as to whom I need to approach to get one. I have chased this again on the 20th November 2007 & 15th January 2008. The policy still hasn't been produced.

The council basically require resident to have explicit written consent otherwise they will have the resident compelled to remove any dishes. However given that many may have moved in, seen the dishes on other flats. Assumed it was ok. Have had the dish for years without the council or their housing officer ever having raised it as an issue. They may loose there own system.

If the communal sky system goes wrong. It goes wrong for many under this new system.

Introduction to Decent Homes meeting 16th October 2007.

At this lively meeting. Council tenants were given details of the Decent Homes project coming to the estate.

From my notes there were some issues. Namely,

• Insurance - This should be ok but if you have Home contents insurance inform them of the works.
• Satellite dishes /TV aerials - these will be removed subject to certain conditions. In favour of a communal dish. TV aerials are to be upgraded to facilitate digital tv broadcasting/Freeview. This specifically a problem for me as I already have my own aerial on the roof installed to allow me access to Digital TV. Installed at cost to myself.
• Kitchen Cabinets - A waste of money as they are not deep enough. Many will have to be almost immeditely replaced at cost to residents after the works to their kitchen are complete.
• Lack of Space - In smaller flats. There will be no room for the contents of the kitchen to be placed elsewhere in the property whilst structural works including rewiring if necessary. Is undertaken.
• Survey - People not happy with attitude and results of inital survey. Balfour Beatty made an undertaking to re-survey all flats on the estate.
• Time Frame - 4 weeks notice given before works to a resident flat with works lasting up to 4 weeks though average expected time is 2 weeks.
• Boxes - The Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes) said the council would make boxes available for resident to pack smaller items from bathrooms/kitchens.
• White goods - Balfour would help with the moving of fridges etc. They will undertake a video survey before the goods are moved. Residents need to ask for this.
• Resident Representitives - The Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes) was looking for residents in each block to act as channels for communcation to residents within that block. I am the one for my block thus this blog. The communication line is Resident Representative, then Balfour Resident Liason Officer and then the Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes).
  

Parking on the estate.

There are a number of lined and numbered parking bays on the estate. A few are covered. These bays are allocated to and paid for by residents. They have a permit badge in the window of the car which if they have an allocated bay. Will give the bay number. Those without an allocated bay will have a similar permit without the bay number and can park in other permitted spaces.

Please do not park in a numbered bay if you don't have it allocated to you. This just causes the resident who has this bay anger and frustration. It just causes more problems than it is worth. If you see a bay and you believe it is spare. The office at Fulham Town Hall should be able to help allocate it you you.

As there are no visitor spaces. Visitors should use pay and display on the surrounding streets. If they park on the estate they are very likely to be lifted with a £250.00+ fine to get there vehicle back.

However tell any visitor not to park in a numbered bay. The allocated owner may return and frustrated at not being able to park in their bay that they pay for. Call the Car Removal Service and have the car removed.

Overhanging tree's & parking.

If you have a car parked in an allocated bay. It could be that shrubbery from Claridge Court namely the gardens causes you frustration. Especially when the buds and leaves fall on to your paint work , marking it. Let alone the general filth it leaves on you windscreen etc.

Well the Estates Manager is aware and this is the current situation -

1) The owner of the offending plant is responsible for ensuring these are prunned back.
2) The Estates manager doesn't have the funding to just cut these back , remedying the problem resident drivers have. It would make sense to have this done when the trees are prunned.
3) The owners don't seem to want to keep there plants under control and avoid them becomming a nuisance.
4) The Estate manager has to raise a bill to the offending owner and then schedule the work through the Estates Management Office.

I have been in touch with the Estates Manager and the shrubs from the gardens of Claridge court are due to be cut back.

Hopefully this will now become a yearly event & resident drivers will not have to sue for any damage to the paintwork of their cars.

Recycling Bins & Orange Bags.

I am sure many of you have noticed the increasing presence of Orange Bags filling or even being dumped beside some of the recycling bins on the Estate.

Althought I am all for recycling. I initially objected to bins near main building doors as I was concerned it would make entry ways look more like a rubbish dump than a place we call home.

I have on several occasions emailed the lady at the council who deals with it. Most recently regarding the volume over the Xmas period. I understand from the Estates Services Manager that she will be mailing all residents in the surrounding streets reminding them (again!) that they are not to use our bins.

If you have an issue with this. Email me and I will forward the email address you can complain to. The more we bring this the attention of the council the more they will do to ensure we have the capacity to deal with the recycling on the estate.

Decent Homes is comming! "at last".

Everyone should have had the letter from our Decent Homes Principal Development Manager (H&F Homes) concerning your preference of door type & colour and telling us that the project is due to start this month, January. Only a month and a half late.

I have some issues which I have raised concerning the locks on these doors. Namely who will have a set of keys. Will H&F homes retain a set of keys or a master key. This makes life easy for them but believe they don't have a legal right to hold them. These are our homes and only we should have the keys. I have emailed our project manager and await a response.

I have also asked if you can opt out of having your front door replaced should you wish. I will post a response when I get one.

Remember you preference form has to be in by 15th February 2007. It will no doubt be collated and we will then be informed which type and style we will get depending on which block we live in.

Though I am not convinced that having individual doors of our choice would create a problem as detailed. Surely if one of each type & colour of door exists on an estate within the borough they would have to retain and maintain spares anyway.

Welcome.

Hello,

I hope this doesn't become to busy a blog that it becomes difficult to navigate. I live on this estate and am sure that some of us at some point get frustrated whether it is rubbish building up around the bins, graffiti or probably more immediate. I wanted a place to put the information I have gathered about the Decent Homes project. Share my my concerns, issues I have raised and responses received.

Please feel free to add or comment as applicable or email me if you want a subject covered.

Thanks,

John.