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Homes work that’s poor quality and too expensive
• FOR more than a year, Islington Leaseholders Association (ILA) has been dealing with complaints from leaseholders over every aspect of the work of Homes for Islington (HfI).
This week, yet another leaseholder, backed by ILA, is taking HfI to a Leaseholders Valuation Tribunal.
It is clear there are grave problems in HfI with regard to major works. The prices are far too high, the quality of the works are far too low. The consultation period can be ignored and curtailed. Complaints are often ignored. When complaints are dealt with, the only concern of HfI is to ensure correct procedures are followed.
Leaseholders are getting a raw deal, to such an extent that an MP is raising the issue in Parliament. Leaseholders want and should demand that they receive fair and reasonable treatment in all their dealings with Islington and HfI.
The ILA will do all it can to help its members.
CHRIS BRIERE - EDNEY
Vice-chair, Islington Leaseholders Association
• THE latest set of proposals by the Lib Dem-run council to relax the leaseholder repayment terms sounds good in the headlines, but when you dig down into the detail of how it will affect the vast majority of leaseholders it amounts to political spin beyond belief.
At last Thursday’s council executive meeting, where Labour members weren’t even present, the Lib Dems proposed that leaseholders 0% payment term be extended from two to three years on outstanding amounts less than £10,000 and to five years above £10,000.
Do the Lib Dems not realise the vast majority of leaseholders are under Partners control and have a cap of £10,000 on any repair work anyway, hence are not eligible for the five-year interest-free repayment option? Many leaseholders, such as myself, whose final bill just falls short of the £10,000 barrier need to pay a high £440 upfront charge, plus interest and loan balance to pay over a five-year period.
The 11,000 Islington leaseholders need a better deal in these tough economic times. Receiving a large service charge bill, with threat of eviction for non-payment, can be the straw which breaks the camel’s back.
I urge the council to think again on this issue and allow all council leaseholders to take balances over the full five-year period, free of interest, regardless of outstanding amount.
RICHARD BUNTING
Deputy chairman, Islington Conservatives
• ISLINGTON Council offers leaseholders one of the most generous support packages in London. This is our third review of repayment options since February 2006. But in the light of the recession, we felt it was only fair to look again at how we can help leaseholders finding it difficult to make ends meet. The council executive has agreed a new package of support increasing the time leaseholders have to pay back major works bills without interest from two to three years. For leaseholders with bills over £10,000, the interest-free period will be extended to five years.
Leaseholders who can’t get a loan for major works will be given the choice of having a charge placed on their home so payment can be delayed until the property is sold. Other leaseholders will be offered an extended 10-year payback period.
This new help will be available to leaseholders getting new major works and leaseholders currently paying a bill. The extension of interest-free periods will help reduce leaseholders’ monthly outgoings and we are cutting the minimum amount they’re expected to pay.
CLLR BARBARA SMITH
Lib Dem executive member for housing
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