10 signatures reached
To: WHY IS THERE NO STATUTORY BODY FOR HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANTS IN DISPUTE TO APPEAL TO? The Housing Ombudsman is futile; NOT being a STATUTORY BODY, therefore DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO COMPEL ANY HOUSING ASSOCIATION TO DO ANYTHING.
HOUSING REFORM; A STATUTORY BODY IS NEEDED TO UPHOLD & PROTECT HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANTS RIGHTS
Unquestionably there is an increasing need for a regulatory and STATUTORY body to be established on behalf of HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANTS; occupying a role similar to that of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, as Housing Associations have clearly demonstrated that they cannot be trusted, nor are morally responsible enough to “police” themselves, otherwise, there ARE real and serious concerns going forward, in regard to tenants and the proliferation, continuation, and escalation of this kind of “semi regulated” autonomy that they enjoy; unsurpassed in any other “regulated” vocation.
In my personal case 27 elected officials and Parliamentarians have “looked the other way” or “turned their backs” upon my dispute, the impact of their lack of due diligence (to me and to others) apparently collateral, motivating the course of action that I now adopt. I have also written to the Chief Executive of the National Federation of Housing Associations, written to the Secretary of State, and Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, AND been referred to the Housing Ombudsman; and yet if this were a Local Council matter, where the Ombudsman had failed in compelling action; and my Local MP proved less than interested, a final avenue of redress exists in the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Being a Statutory body – unlike the Housing Ombudsman; the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (who has NO authority over Housing Associations - I know because I have appealed to them too) HAS, UNLIKE YOUR MP, or the OMBUDSMAN; the power to compel Local Council’s to settle their disputes fairly, CAN adjudicate upon cases, AND, in certain cases, CAN award compensation to victims of unfair treatment - which in referring you to them, your Housing Association is smugly, complacently, and completely aware that either of the above, cannot enforce.
Given the influence, Media and Public interest generated by the article aired on ITN by Mr Daniel Hewitt 25.06.21 regarding living conditions, it is my hope with this TENANTS PETITION FOR HOUSING REFORM, to pave the way to preventing any further abjuration of responsibly, decency, accountability by Housing Associations in any form; defeating and restricting any further postulations of what has become an institutional practise, being distilled into “unfortunate, isolated and random” examples of “maladministration”, when they concur more (with increasing frequency and intransigence) like Dickensian indifference, profiteering, and spite.
Why is this important?
It was not by the “authority” of the Housing Ombudsman; of which I am sure - most if not all of the tenants in the recent and shameful scandal over disrepair and living conditions (deemed adequate and suitable) will have happily been directed to by the relevant Housing Association’s that came under scrutiny; but rather it took exposure to damning Public outcry, vilification, shaming, and the WEIGHT of the gathering, and unfavourable Press to compel these deafened and autocratic Housing Associations to un-trench themselves, and act with decency; eventually withdrawing and retracting THEIR OWN shameful “self-determinations”. Equally NO politician, or local MP forced them to address this long-standing and indolent contradiction prior to this.
Being unlikely to be victims in their OWN properties of mould (exacerbating health conditions), damp, fire hazard, and electrical disrepair; and not being subjected to living in these conditions (or similar) on a daily basis, - indolently encouraging YOU, to be patient, in THEIR enquiries, in absence of any degree of empathy, urgency, or understanding appearing to be forthcoming.
In the absence of any impetus, enthusiasm, or motivation from our elected officials; our “representatives” indolently deeming the current framework for dispute resolution (the “broken” system that WE are THE VICTIMS of any failures or shortcomings in) as “adequate” and “fit for purpose”; out of a need for MORE robust, balanced, and EQUAL representation, and in the absence of any consideration, or concern on this matter being extended by our locally elected officials and MP’s.
I urge and encourage ALL Housing Association tenants that have been, or remain dissatisfied with their treatment and experience from their Housing Association; frustrated and fed-up with the lack of interest or concern demonstrated by paid and elected officials expected to represent and look after OUR interests, to take this opportunity to rally together, make a difference to your treatment, – as vulnerable cash cows having no secure tenure, and sign my on-line petition for this long-overdue housing reform; add your voice (your tenancy), and rebuke your treatment, we need 100,000 signatures to bypass our MPs ourselves, and our struggle to be finally taken notice of and debated in Parliament, calling for the IMMEDIATE forming of a STATUTORY body to represent OUR interests - the average tenant.
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