Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Homes for Haringey Extortion
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Hisky0 on
-
I do feel like this is behind it - we've had some similar issues (which haven't been answered) related to new fire safe doors - costing at the very least, three times the cost of a normal fire-safe door.
It seems like the cllr in the piece is protecting her tenants (surprise surprise) but feck anyone with a bit of spare cash.
Makes me think that full redevelopment through the development vehicle was a good idea in the end.
-
-
This is the only info I found in the article about what the costs are supposedly for:
"The Noel Park residents are facing such high costs because of the need to replace bathroom “pods”, temporary structures erected in the 1970s that are already about 20 years past their intended lifespan. The replacement units will also be temporary.
The works are being carried out alongside repairs to the fabric of the buildings, which have been questioned by residents."
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
-
That they still have temporary bathrooms dating back to the 70s makes me wonder what information the purchasers of these properties got from their surveyors when they went ahead with buying. Having said that the “clarification” given by Haringey in response to the Guardian story seems to imply a cock up
-
-
It's a tough one, but it seems like there must be a better (and far cheaper) option - unless these 'pods' are connected upwards - i.e. stacked, and they all need replacing - the cost of an expensive bathroom redevelopment, including new walls, new pipework and all the fittings was quoted to me at around 10-15k all in - how HFH are coming up with 100k is literally beyond belief.
What's interesting is this part - "alongside repairs to the fabric of the buildings, which have been questioned by residents."
I'd hope that A. the residents have a say in this - B. that as it's the actual shell of the building, surely those are costs to be taken on by the Freeholder?
-
-
I think it's because they're temporary structures rather than just the fixtures and fittings.
Still seems illegitimate.
-
-
We have lived in Wood Green for 13 years and were actually looking to (potentially) buy a flat/small house in Noel Park or in Wood Green/Tottenham more widely. Since seeing this on the Noel Park forum a few weeks ago it has put us off buying in Haringey altogether.
The fact that they have decided to do this (not to mention the timing) is an affront to all residents -not just those living in he affected properties. I am surprised there has not been more of an uproar about it from the wider Haringey community.
How can the borough continue to improve through investment from residents and small business' if the council makes decisions such as this- surely nobody would ever trust them.
-
-
Thank you for the link to this Guardian article.
It is unfortunate that some Councillors appear to believe that "tenants pay the cost of people who own these homes", rather than the other way around.
In reality, the Council’s Housing Revenue Account generates income from two sources:
1) limited tenants' Rent -and- 2) often-exorbitant and seemingly-uncapped Leaseholder charges.
By law, the housing revenue account cannot be subsidised by any other council funds.
This thread is merely a case in point. Fundamental flaws in the leasehold system extend beyond Haringey and this example. The supposed cost of maintaining the council's housing stock is not reasonable. It is routinely and systematically hiked at a large multiple of inflation. Upkeep costs are well above the cost of maintaining comparable buildings in the private sector. It is difficult to imagine a plausible explanation, other than a policy of maximising revenue at the expense of leaseholders.
The so-called 'Service Charge' often exceeds Leaseholders' (other) 'Council tax'. The service charges apply in addition to charges for periodical 'Major' (section 20) works, improvement programmes etc. [In Theory] leaseholders who wish to challenge excessive charges have resort to the First Tier Tribunal...
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
