Homeowners Forced in to Major Debt

Hackney Council could be forcing some 8,000 resident households into insurmountable debt by enforcing charges of tens of thousands of pounds each time ‘Major Work’ is carried out to a council owned block or estate.

Charges are issued to Hackney leaseholders and freeholders regardless of income or ability to pay, forcing many thousands of residents into extreme debt.  There are no caps on the amount that residents can be charged.  There are no caps on the number of Major Works that can be undertaken at any one time.  Often the Major Works are being delivered under the umbrella of the Decent Homes programme, that a private landlord would not be able to claim as ‘necessary’ work.  Hackney Homes Ltd (the Arms Length Management Organization - ALMO for short) were unwilling to disclose how many Hackney residents had in the past lost their properties due to ‘Major Works’ debts but admitted it was possible.

When ‘The Right To Buy’ was introduced in the early 80’s, thousands of residents used their life savings and took on hefty mortgages in order to fulfil the dream of owning their own homes.  Their aim was to provide a safe and secure future for themselves and their families.  Now Hackney Council could be bankrupting leaseholders and their families with ‘Major Works’ charges escalating into tens of thousands of pounds.

There are 8,000 lease and freeholder properties in Hackney run by Hackney Homes Ltd, the Managing Agent for Hackney Council.  Many of these homeowners are already struggling to live on a low income or a meagre pension, but are still being hit with charges that even highly paid professionals would struggle to repay.    These charges come with a short repayment deadline of five years (recently extended from 2 years) and with hefty interest charges on top.

Hackney Homes Ltd boasts that “Hackney’s Decent Homes programme is winning awards”.  Behind the scenes of the Decent Homes programmes, thousands of Hackney residents’ lives are being turned upside down.  The biggest irony of all would be if by forcing homeowners out of their homes, Hackney ends up being responsible for housing these families as rent paying tenants!

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Launch

The brand new interactive site has now been launched.  Keep returning to this site in order to keep up with the issues that effect Leaseholders & Freeholders in Hackney.

Why have a Forum Website?

The aim of this site is to act as an independent & accessible Forum for Hackney Homes Owners.  Experience has shown that those who own their own properties where the Freehold Landlord is Hackney Council, have not been adequately represented when decisions about services and major works are made.  This state seems to have continued into the new Hackney Homes Ltd ALMO era.  Through the use of the internet, the Forum is fostering communication and cooperation between Home Owners in the Borough, in order to share our knowledge, skills and experience; act as a platform for our voice; and get us fair and reasonable treatment.

Forum Agenda 2009

This year the Forum intends to concentrate on the following issues in Hackney:

• Section 20 Major Works
• Service Charges
• Anti-social Behaviour

Blog Here!

Join in the discussion!

You can get involved straight away by heading over to the (click here> forum message board < click) to start discussions with other homeowners.