Camden Council have released a series of short YouTube videos showing how residents can do simple DIY jobs themselves, without having to involve the Council’s Repairs team.
New Build properties aren’t always great
Note these are private leaseholders, not Council leaseholders, but the issues apply to ANY new build property. The basic problem is how the construction industry is run and regulated, not really with these developers.
Camden leaseholders: ‘My £850,000 newbuild flat is now worthless’ – BBC News
Camden District Management Committees to meet with Council
CASP District Management Committee (DMC) Representatives and other DMC reps from across the borough will be meeting with the Council to discuss Camden’s Annual Rent-Setting process.
The meeting is taking place on Wednesday 11 January from 6:30 pm at the Crowndale Centre Eversholt Street (near Mornington Crescent Station).
Camden’s Cabinet (made up of elected Councillors) will meet later in January 2023 to agree the final rent in increase for 2023.
The report is here.
The future of housing?
The Goldsmith Street housing scheme in Norwich, like the redevelopment of Camden’s own Agar Grove estate, was built to Passivhaus standards, a low-energy building approach. Four years since it opened, the approach is really showing its advantages in the recent cold weather, and with the current cost of living crisis.
The residents have been warm with almost no heating, and the ventilation system stops condensation and mould.
Protest against rising social rents
There is to be a protest outside the Department for Levelling Up, on Thursday 06 October at 12 noon.
Several groups are coming together to protest against rising social rents and increasing service charges.
Community Groups call for council rent freeze
Community group Defend Council Housing has issued a statement calling for local councils to freeze council housing rents next year, because of the very high inflation rate and cost of living crisis.
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Open in new tab Several community groups plan to have a demonstration outside the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities on Thursday 15 September.
http://www.axethehousingact.org.uk/news/cost-of-living-crisis-protest-september-15th-2022-london/
Inspections and unlimited fines proposed for social landlords
The government has announced plans to introduce new laws to tackle the problems of social housing landlords providing sub-standard housing.
Councils and housing associations would be subject to “Ofsted-style” inspections, and could face unlimited fines if conditions are found to be really bad and the landlord doesn’t fix the problems.
Notice from Camden Council re recent Flooding
Flooding in Camden – repairs service taking emergency calls only
Dear tenant
You may be aware that there was flooding again in areas of Camden yesterday (Sunday 25 July).
Yesterday’s flooding was less severe than the flooding two weeks ago, but the repairs service are receiving a very high volume of calls for support related to water damage or other issues caused by the heavy rain, so we are currently only taking emergency calls.
If you need emergency repairs to your council home caused by flooding, call us on 020 7974 4444, option 3 then 1. We will get to everyone so please bear with us and stay on the line if you’re struggling to get through. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call the emergency services on 999.
We are currently only taking emergency calls, so please only contact us by phone to report an emergency repair. If your repair is not an emergency, you can report it online as normal using your Camden Account.
Please be aware that if you report an emergency which isn’t an emergency, our repairs staff will not complete your job and you will need to book another appointment.
Contact your neighbourhood housing officer if you need help or support because of flooding. There is more information about the flooding and support for Camden residents on our website.
We have had to cancel some non-emergency repairs this week so that we can prioritise the people whose homes have been affected by the floods. If your repair has been delayed, we apologise for the inconvenience as we know that some tenants have been waiting a long time for non-essential repairs. We assure you we will get to your job as quickly as we can.
Thank you all for your patience.
Danny Waite, Head of Repairs and Operations
Scot Reid, Head of Property Customer Services and Engagement
Agar Grove Redevelopment wins Passivhaus award
The redevelopment of the Agar Grove Estate has won Large Project of the Year at the 2021 UK Passivhaus Awards.
Passivhaus is a type of building (doesn’t have to be a house!) that is super-insulated and energy efficient, has no cold drafts in winter, doesn’t overheat in summer, and has good ventilation. Many people think that this type of building is what all buildings should be like in the future if society is going to drastically cut its greenhouse gas emissions.
https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/passivhaus_awards/uk-passivhaus-awards-2021/
For more information see below:
https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/projects/detail/?cId=100#.XIFRnSj7Q2w
Congratulations to all involved.
Organising for Empty Homes Day of Action
Homes4All are planning an Empty Homes Day of Action in October.
If you would like to take part in the organising for it, see the information below:
Invite to Organising Meeting:
Saturday, 29th May, 11am Empty Homes Day of Action organising meeting
This meeting is for everyone who wants to take part in the October Day of Action for empty homes.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81312365129?pwd=VjhTQjBzMWxIaEdIeXExTnV3RjB2QT09
Meeting ID: 813 1236 5129
Passcode: 015065
https://www.facebook.com/events/1617993971730522?ref=newsfeed
Morag
on behalf of HfA
HFA Contact Details:
Email: info@axethehousingact.org.uk
fb: https://www.facebook.com/Homes4AllUK