Updates ... been a while ... changes to repairs ....

Finally we have a Children's Play area and social area for residents. I asked, at the start of the Decent Homes project, many years ago now. To move the play area to the green as it was much safer, not least as the area is surrounded by flats allowing parents to keep a watchful eye on there kids. This suggestion was objected to by a few residents. Now we have on with activities for the kids. Open day by the mayor is tomorrow, 5th July.

I spend some of my time running a campaigning website. Activities here and with meetings some local, some even in Parliament have kept me busy.

However as always. Our focus changes when something affects us. Currently I am trying to get a resolution to water leakage problem that has been on-going since the completion of the "Decent Homes" work in our block.

Never ever having a problem with any water leaking in the flat prior to this. It seems that the council has been unable to properly diagnose and institute a lasting repair.

We know from previous investigations this is likely a pipe issue and thus no fault of the tenant concerned. Though establishing this was protracted, it took several months. Then only when the "its a sealant in the bathroom problem" didn't solve the problem.

When it was supposed to be fixed. The first rectification of the structural damage had to be redone within weeks.

The problem is back now, and worse.

Oh and I was told that the structural damage that has re-occurred isn't a repair anymore. Here is an extract of an email I sent to H&F Homes and Stephen Greenhalgh on the 8th June 2010 and have yet to receive a reply from anyone -

"The severe damage from the constant leaking to the wall but mainly the ceiling which has mould etc. I don't want you to deal with that as it will be part of my complaint but I have an issue for clarification. I was told that repairs wouldn't deal with structural repairs that I had to claim off my "contents insurance" ????? that the procedure had changed a few weeks ago.

1) Is this true?

2) When are tennants going to be informed of all these new changes?

3) Contents insurance will not cover structural repairs that is why building insurance exists ? Does the council not have buildings insurance on there estate?

4) Are they aware of how many tennants may not be able to afford insurance and the very quick demise of there estate portfolio as a result of strucutral defects going unrepaired.

I know housing is a media issue in this borough and I think there are many interested in this aspect.

.....

I have copied in our local councillor Mr. Greenhalgh for his input/response into this specific matter."

Did anyone receive information on this?

Well the process of engaging with H&F Homes and the repairs team has been like "pulling teeth".

Last week we had another leak into the flat and I finally decided enough was enough.

Having heard nothing to the complaint emailed, with a copy taken to the office in person. I emailed following this last event.

Within a day I received some replies. I guess when I do engage with the media on this they all want to demonstrate they were not at fault. However this has been going on for over 2 years now.

So this is a project. When I get some answers I will post more.

Also you may be interested in http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/

In the mean time I hope you are enjoying your summer.

External Works .... sorry but we missed ...

Those of you who have balcony's will have been asked to clear them so they can be "overhauled". We have a problem with the "down pipe" that comes from the roof through all the balcony's from the roof, in that is leaks. Apparently it also leaks on other balcony's as well.

When were asked the builders if they were going to fix this before laying the new flooring for the balcony. I was told that not only was this a common problem but that maintenance of the "down pipe's" was not included in the schedule of external repairs to be undertaken. In fact I believe that the council and builders are having to discuss the cost of this necessary work.

So new balcony floors are laid only to be spoilt by leaking down pipes!

Given the lack of up to date information given to council tenants on what is happening with this already overdue project. It is clear that our council is ill prepared to manage such huge undertakings a major infrastructure projects.

I cannot understand why such a key element as drainage was missed from the schedule of external works.

Updates

Scaffolding & Satellite.

I am told that dishes will be moved today and back online. Thursday 22 January 2009.

Front doors.

Tenants are to get new doors. For Leaseholders it will be optional.

Leader Listens.

The council leader is holding an event for residents of the borough today at The Lancaster Court Tenants Hall from 7pm.

Scaffolding and moving Satellite dishes.

Well work has started on erecting the scaffolding to the back of William Banfield House, 19th January 2009.

Well planned? I think not.

Council tenants have been ignored in this project for the last year or so. However we do get the occasional letters telling us what is supposed to happen.

We had such a letter last week, 12th January 2009, from H&F Homes and Balfour Beatty.

There is a FREE phone number for residents to call, that is if you like speaking to a fax machine - 0800 587 60322. This in line with keeping residents in the dark!

It says that any satellite dishes will be moved to the scaffolding and that you will be contacted prior to this. Interesting as we have heard nothing and the scaffolding is going up.

Depending on who you ask the scaffolding is either going all the way up the building today (this may obsure your satellite dish line-of-sight and thus a loss of signal) but only until Thursday. Again this depending on who you speak to, will be the day the dishes are moved. The Balfour genetleman who's mobile number is on the letter also seems to know little about this, his assistant is the person to talk to apparently as he is arranging this.

So what about the Decent Homes team? Did I call them? Yes I did after 3 attempts I did speak to a nice lady but she tried 3 times to put me through to the person I needed to speak to then took my contact details as there is an apparent problem with the phone of our contact.

So "tenant participation", you remember we were promised that, is dead. Unless it seems you are a leaseholder. They have a bill to pay and are in the minority of estate residents. But being a homeowner clearly makes you a more important class of tenant.

Though to be fair, from the leaseholder I have spoken to. Though they get more communication. The situation for them is also just as bad and equally a mess.

If you want to speak to the H&F Homes Decent Homes team call 0208 748 3020 and ask for them.

Its been a while and our Decent Homes is complete ..

Well the nightmare, that was just a kitchen to be done under the Decent Homes Project is all but done.

The workmen we dealt with, those actually doing the work, were pleasant & helpful. Pat their supervisor has been great and a pleasure to deal with. Bringing common sense to into the equation.

The Relationship Managers were also good to deal with.

We did have an issue with one person and this is from where most of our problems eminated. Oir plan done many months ago (last year in fact) and following an agreement from Balfour that it would be redone for all tenants (they forgot us). Was wrong as it hadn't factored in the fact the space would be smaller given conduits & pipes.

I thought having thoroughly agreed and understood all that was going to happen well in advance of the project would have left us with an easy time of it. Clearly wrong.

This such a shame as our bathroom, done last year was such a success.

Hope yours goes well.

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).