Hyndburn Homes - security compromised. - Page 4

katex · 29-07-2011, 16:23

I think this is dreadful, Margaret, and sure you will get it sorted. Know once you get your teeth into something, will not rest until you have had your fill ... as with the Pooh Bins.

I would be scared everytime I came out of my door wondering if some 'no-gooders' were lingering on the stairwell. Best of luck with this.

garinda · 29-07-2011, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Know once you get your teeth into something, will not rest until you have had your fill ... as with the Pooh Bins.

When did this happen?

Who got them back out?

Hope she rinsed 'em off, before poppin' 'em back in.

MargaretR · 29-07-2011, 16:32

Thanks for your concern and good wishes.
So you remember the dog bin saga

- my 5 minutes of fame.
Well it looks like I am to be blessed with another 5 minutes - Ev Telegraph have interviewed 'b rawlinson' and I, by phone and will be visiting, with photographer, this weekend.

I feel like a pit bull who is teeth into something juicy - I wont let go.
Websearching statutory obligations of Housing Associations at the mo.

katex · 29-07-2011, 16:39

Noticed 'Telegraph Reporter' was logged in early afternoon ... just had the feeling was about this

Thing is, Margaret, if they get away with it .. will affect all their properties in the future. A story where I feel no-one will disagree with you.

Re. the satellite dish.. yes, you are correct ... they did state on their retrospective Planning Application that they had removed all the old ones ... this had obviously been missed (or not). Needs sorting.

garinda · 29-07-2011, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

Thanks for your concern and good wishes.
So you remember the dog bin saga

- my 5 minutes of fame.
Well it looks like I am to be blessed with another 5 minutes - Ev Telegraph have interviewed 'b rawlinson' and I, by phone and will be visiting, with photographer, this weekend.

I feel like a pit bull who is teeth into something juicy - I wont let go.
Websearching statutory obligations of Housing Associations at the mo.

As with the poop bins, what they've done is wrong.

I've no doubt with your determined involvement things will be rectified...sharpish.

More power to you.

I know you can't, but if you stood for the council, you'd get my vote.

I admire your grit, and gusto, when battling against something that is wrong.

katex · 29-07-2011, 16:51

Not only the security of tenants, you would think they would wish to prevent their property from any damage by intruders too... crazy.

MargaretR · 29-07-2011, 18:06

I have investigated what constitutes the 'Decent Standard' to which housing association homes should have achieved by 2010.
This government doc details what is 'a decent home'
http://www.communities.gov.uk/docume...pdf/138355.pdf

"5.18 The ages used to define the ‘modern’ kitchen and bathroom are less than those for the
disrepair criterion. This is to take account of the modernity of kitchens and bathrooms,
as well as their functionality and condition. This principle was agreed with local
authority representatives during the consultation on the formulation of the MRA
allocations. This allows for dwellings to be improved to a more modern standard
than would simply be achieved by applying the disrepair criterion."

Annex A of that document shows that kitchens and roofs over 30 yrs old and bathrooms over 40 years must be replaced.
These flats were built early 70s so are nearing 40. I could tell by the chipboard/melamine faced kitchen cupboard doors I replaced that they were worn 'threadbare' and likely original.

and
Decent Homes Standard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The last Audit Commission report was in 2008 and gave them a score of 1 (fair)
Zero would have been poor - 3 would have been good.

"Hyndburn Homes provides a 'fair' service with 'promising' prospects for improvement, according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission. On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the organisation a 'fair' one-star rating, because of improving customer focus and local access to services. The investment programme to improve homes to a decent homes standard is being delivered on time although some major investment decisions still have to be taken."

Ref 'promising' they are good at that!

Hyndburn Homes delivering 'fair' service to tenants - Audit Commission
"However it also highlights some areas where improvement is needed:

The service providing aids and adaptations for people suffering a disability is poor, with confusing information and access arrangements
Limited work has been undertaken to improve the local environment
There are a number of properties with a low level of thermal efficiency, requiring people on low incomes to spend a significant proportion of their income on adequately heating their home
The lack of a comprehensive maintenance programme, for example covering painting
Little work has been carried out to ensure policies and procedures provide fair and equal levels of service

The inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include:

Improving the way assets are managed and maintained
Improving value for money
Improving performance in delivering aids and property adaptations.
Ensuring services meet the diverse needs of all tenants"

From looking at what they should have done, what they promised to do, with what they have actually done, it is clear to me that an audit commission report now would be 'zero'.

The flats have been neglected - we have not had 'fair and equal levels of service'

***Mr D*** · 29-07-2011, 18:11

Good luck with your battle.

Hyndburn Homes seem pretty agressive on the phone in this video.

I think the video poster was a old member.

MargaretR · 29-07-2011, 18:16

I think that video does nothing to support the cause in this thread.

I am glad he doesn't live next door to me

garinda · 29-07-2011, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I am glad he doesn't live next door to me

Having listened to a few further videos, I concur.

‪Lifeinthemix's Channel‬&rlm; - YouTube

(Sorry for the thread wander.)

jaysay · 29-07-2011, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Having listened to a few further videos, I concur.

‪Lifeinthemix's Channel‬&rlm; - YouTube

(Sorry for the thread wander.)

Life in the mix that seems to ring a bell

MargaretR · 29-07-2011, 19:40

The standards that housing associations are required to meet is regulated by The Tenant Services Authority, and the TSA monitor their performance
http://www.tenantservicesauthority.o...show/nav.14449

They operate alongside the Audit Commission and have the power to inspect the practices operating in any housing association where failure to meet standards has occurred.
They appear to have quite a bit of 'muscle' -
"Registered providers of social housing will have to meet our standards. Where they don’t, we will expect speedy self-improvement and where this is insufficient we have a new range of enforcement powers to ensure that tenants get the service they deserve."

"Quality of accommodation

Required outcomes
Registered providers shall:

• ensure that tenants’ homes meet the standard set out in section 5 of the Government’s Decent Homes Guidance by 31 December 2010 and continue to maintain their homes to at least this standard after this date
• meet the standards of design and quality that applied when the home was built, and were required as a condition of publicly funded financial assistance, if these standards are higher than the Decent Homes Standard
• in agreeing a local offer, ensure that it is set at a level not less than these standards and have regard to section 6 of the Government’s Decent Homes Guidance

Specific expectations
The TSA may agree with a registered provider an extension to the 31 December 2010 date where this is reasonable. Providers shall ensure their tenants are aware of the reasons for any extension given."

Since I am now aware that many of our homes have not been brought up to the 'Decent Homes Standard' by the Dec 2010 deadline, Hyndburn Homes must have been granted an extension.
requote -
"Providers shall ensure their tenants are aware of the reasons for any extension given"
I do not recall being provided with any reasons why the programme of proposed improvement work, which was supplied to me a few years ago, hasn't happened.