Forum Topic

And still it goes on...........

You may remember the sorry saga of trying to help my elderly neighbours 'downsize' from a 3 bed house to a flat in a sheltered unit that was beset by so many problems you really couldn't have made it up. This started in November 2017 they were told to get ready and start packing up last April and then left living out of boxes for months on end while Hounslow faffed with converting previous staff accomodation in the sheltered unit into two more flats. Although Hounslow did eventually help them with storage and getting a cooker that they'd removed - still they sit waiting.First of all it was questions over building regs. and the consultant that had been in charge (consultant really?) then it was questions over fire regs. These of course are both important and vital areas that have to be right - but how long can this possibly take? So from last April when they were told to get ready to move until now, all there has been is excuse after excuse.Elected members have been found wanting, and only one housing officer was of practical help as far as she was able. This is a disgraceful state of affairs, how can a local authority not convert two flats in a sheltered unit in over a year? Hounslow claim they are desperate for family houses - this would free up one, and there's been another empty in the next road since before Christmas, wouldn't you think that some sort of urgency in utilising their scarce properties would filter through somewhere?This is an absolute scandal, not only leaving elderly people in limbo for over a year but failing people who are waiting for a family home. Useless.

Vanessa Smith ● 2399d76 Comments

House of Commons LibraryEmpty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs)Published Thursday, September 5, 2019This briefing paper explains local authorities' powers to tackle privately owned dwellings that have been empty for two years through the use of an Empty Dwelling Management Order.Jump to full report >>What are EDMOs?Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the Housing Act 2004 made provision for local authorities to take over management of certain residential premises that had been empty for at least six months by seeking an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO). Residential Property Tribunals (now First-Tier Tribunals) gained the power to issue EDMOs on 6 July 2006.The aim of EDMOs is to bring empty private sector property back into use. The expectation was that the introduction of EDMOs would persuade owners to bring properties back into use and encourage constructive dialogue between owners and empty property officers around the range of options available. EDMOs were seen as a back-up power to be used as a last resort.On introduction they attracted a good deal of negative media attention; there were reports that local authorities were seizing properties for seven years and that owners had no right of appeal. DCLG issued a statement to refute these claims.Restricting their use 2012On 7 January 2011 the then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, announced an intention to restrict the use of EDMOs in order to “protect civil liberties.” Regulations providing that EDMOs can only be sought where a property has been empty for two years (as opposed to six months), and requiring an authority to give the owner at least three months’ notice of the intention to apply for an order, came into force on 15 November 2012.Critics of EDMOs argue that they are used very rarely, however they were always envisaged as a last resort. Local authorities will normally engage with owners of empty properties and persuade them to bring properties back into use before using formal powers.Statistics published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) put the number of empty homes in England in October 2018 at 634,453. This represents a 4.7% increase on the previous year's total. Of the 634,435, 216,186 were classed as long-term empty properties (empty for longer than six months).Information on wider local authority powers to tackle empty private sector dwellings can be found in Library Briefing Paper 03012, Empty Housing (England).Commons Briefing papers SN04129Author: Wendy WilsonTopic: Empty propertyDownload the full reportEmpty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) (  PDF, 462.33 KB)Share this page

Vanessa Smith ● 2023d

Dear Vanessa Smith Re: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) 2000 ACT RESPONSE I am writing regarding your request for information dated 04/01/2020. You have requested the following: Information required on how many Empty Dwelling Management Orders have been applied for since 2017 by Hounslow. None The response to your request has been dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Copyright and misuse informationMost of the information that is provided in response to a FOI request will be owned by the London Borough of Hounslow and, therefore, covered by the Open Government Licence. However, the copyright of some of the information we share may be owned by another person or organisation (e.g. Ordnance Survey). Individuals and organisations are free to re-use any information covered by the Open Government Licence for commercial or non-commercial purposes, provided the terms of the licence are adhered to. Where the copyright of the information is owned by another person or organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission for re-use.So much for all this cobblers regarding helping the homeless and the housing crisis, why aren't Hounslow using this legislation to take over empty or abandoned properties?

Vanessa Smith ● 2023d

"why they are allowed to keep their position and keep collecting the extra money they get."Well of course they shouldn't!  This seemingly useless so called Lead Councillor, DEPUTY LEADER if you can believer it - should be drummed out of the Brownies and fired - what on earth are the voters doing to keep voting for her?  Why doesn't our LEADER fire her?    What exactly does this woman do?  Anyone got answers??? Here's her chance to speak up for herself, maybe I'm maligning her.Forum Home

Jennifer Selig ● 2031d

There are certain protocols here - one of which is councillors do not intervene in another ward's business unless of course like Cllr. Lambert it was under the remit of his cabinet portfolio. The Leader has been copied in and informed of this all along - so if he can't be a*sed to get involved who can? It is a long and tortured tale of incompetence, missed opportunities and people needing homes being denied them because of things that are not rocket science but could be solved with common sense and organisation. If a cabinet member isn't stepping up to the mark with their area of responsibility - you have to ask why they are allowed to keep their position and keep collecting the extra money they get.

Vanessa Smith ● 2033d

I find this incompetence quite amazing.  You've been telling this story for over two years and still it rumbles on.  I know it's not his department but Brentford Cllr Guy Lambert is pretty vocal on this site and has close links with the Leader and presume Cllr Lily Bath Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Social Inclusion.  She never seems to answer anything but can't Guy Lambert squeeze some answers out of her?  Go to it Cllr GL

Jennifer Selig ● 2034d

Incredibly Hounslow's housing dept. are still making a pig's ear of things. My elderly neighbour who finally manged to move to a sheltered unit which took almost two years, then found the bathroom newly fitted - was unsuitable. Cue a new bathroom was ripped out and replaced at a tremendous cost, her previous 3 bed house now languishes empty - since October! Two doors down from that property a house that should have been occupied months and months ago has been a tortured tale of total incompetence and waste of time, resources and money. That home too will have stood empty since last February, how Hounslow can justify the loss of revenue and not utilising family homes is beyond credibility. The other 3 bed home - empty since 2017 has at least had a new roof put on - it will be interesting to see how long that will take before it gets let.

Vanessa Smith ● 2037d

It can hardly be credited that this sorry saga is still going on - but it is. My elderly neighbour approached by Hounslow about downsizing almost two whole years ago - still languishes in her 3 bed house awaiting works to the nearby sheltered unit to be completed /signed off - which I was told last week would be 'imminent'.Meanwhile the empty property that was being used as a 'site office' still sits empty with an overgrown garden. On the 18 July the 'Director of Residents Services ' e-mailed me to say that scaffolding would be erected around the property as it was going to be the first one of ongoing works around here to externally insulate the council owned houses. This would take place before the end of that month - July. As of today there isn't one scaffold pole anywhere on this estate - never mind around that property. The house that stood empty for a year because it had a stairlift in it from the previous tenant  - finally is being used as a temporary dwelling for someone. Another empty property  - after being left for about two months until Easter suddenly had a bout of ongoing activity with various comings and goings of workmen. This house was supposed to have extensive works before letting, but I understand that is still not the case and it still isn't in a reasonable state.I have run out of descriptive words - incompetent, pathetic, inefficient, waste of space don't even cover this scandalous situation. There have been a couple of notable exceptions of good, caring and professional housing officers who unfortunately don't seem to be able to find a way through the thick fog of excuses for why things are not going to plan. There is even a large compound set up with various parts of plant in order to carry out the insulation works - that has stood empty for a couple of months - so it's anybody's guess how long elected councillors will tolerate this total shambles. Even the Supreme Leader doesn't seem willing or able to bring this misery to a satisfactory conclusion - I'd say it was a joke, but of course it's far from funny if you are one of those families waiting for a home.

Vanessa Smith ● 2163d

You would think that if there is a plausible and reasonable explanation the council would be only to pleased to give it wouldn't you?

Vanessa Smith ● 2316d

So - we're all waiting to hear why it is taking so long and why LBH has empty houses and a long waiting list.

Philippa Bond ● 2317d

Let's see if the director manages to respond.

Vanessa Smith ● 2317d

And another week goes by with no interest from our local councillors at all

Paul Fisher ● 2317d

Thank you for your online Freedom of Information request, ref. FIR001743, which you submitted on 6 April, as follows: I would like to know why when there is a desperate housing shortage two council owned homes can be left empty for months and months end. These have been reported to the Leader and the cabinet member for housing several times. Addresses 6 Worple Ave and 37 Dawes Ave Isleworth. Under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations, you have a right to request any recorded information held by the Council, for example, data, statistics or financial information.  However, as the information you requested does not meet the criteria for a FOI request, I have referred this to the relevant Director as a general enquiry, who will respond to you direct to answer the questions that you have asked.

Vanessa Smith ● 2320d

Jennifer is right - so far we've identified several in just a few roads but if you extend this across the borough how many in total would that be?

Vanessa Smith ● 2321d

Indeed Jennifer and it begs the question why the Councils spokesperson on here Cllr Lambert is so reluctant to get involvedPerhaps it does not suit the bleating about austerity when so much money is being wasted week after week closer to home?

Paul Fisher ● 2321d

Paul you and Vanessa are on about just two empty houses - I wonder how many more flats and houses there are in the Hounslow Borough lying empty and abandoned.  Those existing homes being repaired and made habitable should be a top priority.  WHY ARE THEY BEING IGNORED?

Jennifer Selig ● 2321d

So the response of LBH to the news that it is the worst local authority in London when it comes to processing FOI requests is to design a system which makes them more difficult to submit in the first place.  Why am I not surprised?The utter contempt that these people have for the residents of this borough is palpable.  Is there not one amongst them that has any sense of shame?

Phil Andrews ● 2321d

I have now requested an FOI as to why properties are standing empty, the FOI site has been changed and is now awful, and also says that the request hasn't gone through, when in fact it has! I've also notified the council's communications director of this. They certainly don't make it easy. Paul is right- I have had several exchanges with the Leader and the cabinet member for housing, and also raised this matter at the public Cabinet Question Time - all to no avail. There's none so blind...................

Vanessa Smith ● 2321d

They have been reported numerous times to councillors including the leader and none of them to be frank could give a toss

Paul Fisher ● 2321d

So are these empty homes being reported on the Council website Report It facility or are they reported via Councillors?

Philippa Bond ● 2322d

And yet another week has gone by without a hint of any work being carried outWe all know that Cllr Lambert and his comrades all read this Forum so why do they choose to just ignore this scandal?

Paul Fisher ● 2324d

Perhaps the Council have forgotten they own the two empty houses

Paul Fisher ● 2332d

What is most peculiar is that recently and very unusually two houses opposite me have been vacated one was let within four weeks and the other has already - in the same week as people moving out -  been inspected, which is good news. But - this doesn't explain why there are still two houses standing empty for months and months on end?????

Vanessa Smith ● 2332d

And just over another week gone now with no sign of any work

Paul Fisher ● 2332d

And another week went by without a workman in sight of the property

Paul Fisher ● 2340d

Interestingly on my way to get my daily newspapers I spied a man obviously from an electrical contractor trying to get an answer at this house. I did tell him it had been empty since before Christmas. Work is going on at the house nearest me which was only vacated in February as are the conversion works to the house in Woodstock Ave. which also had s site office notice on it. The original site office house in Dawes Ave is no longer a site office but still empty and no works happening that can be seen. Hopeless and incompetent does not even begin to come into this, but you try getting a response from the cabinet member for housing Cllr. Lily Bath - you'll be in for a long wait!

Vanessa Smith ● 2347d

Still no sign of any work ever being done to house a family at Six Worple Avenue

Paul Fisher ● 2347d

Perhaps if everyone has a whip round (no pun intended)

Paul Fisher ● 2353d

Any truth in the rumour it's going to be an ice cream shop?

Phil Andrews ● 2355d

Number six Worple Avenue still gathering dust since August last year

Paul Fisher ● 2355d

Cllr. Lambert is aware.

Vanessa Smith ● 2357d

Vanessa - I copy and pasted this from Cllr Lambert's newsletter on the front page:-"Anyway, I have the opportunity to put Sam straight and to point out to John that we are busily – via Lampton – buying up properties previously flogged off under ‘Right to buy’ and until recently in the hands of buy to let landlords: they are now back under council control and providing decent homes at truly affordable rent levels for residents who previously had to put up with the precarious and inadequate private rental sector."It seems to be that as he's banging the drum and praising LBH for providing decent homes at affordable rent levels Our local Cllr Guy Lambert is the chap you should be bombarding about your poor neighbours and anyone else waiting for such a property.

Jennifer Selig ● 2358d

Good to hear that there appears to be a proactive Housing Officer working with your elderly neighbours, Vanessa.Not so good to hear that there doesn't seem to be a lot of haste being made in preparing the vacated homes for reuse when there are so many on the housing list.

Philippa Bond ● 2358d

And still number 6 Worple Avenue sits empty with no sign of life whatsoever depriving a family of a homeGreat work Hounslow Council

Paul Fisher ● 2359d

It seems that there has been some misunderstanding in the saga - and all is not lost. It is gratifying that we have an understanding and sympathetic housing officer back on the case and several alternative options are being explored.

Vanessa Smith ● 2360d

I have been told that my neighbours have been informed that the work to the sheltered unit will not not be complete until next Autumn/Winter. The story now is that the whole building has to be re-wired, now, I'm no builder, but it seems to me if you are doing any sort of conversion/refurb. work, especially to do with Fire and Building Regs. that might actually be a fundamental part of this sort of works. On top of that - and this I do find this reprehensible - they have been asked if they have considered a move to Milton Keynes! I have queried this with the Glorious Leader and the cabinet member for housing - it absolutely beggars belief that a council could make such a pig's ear of assisting elderly residents to downsize, especially when they approached them in the first place. I await a response.

Vanessa Smith ● 2361d

To Clair Clark - what a VERY unpleasant and unnecessary remark.  Go away.

Jennifer Selig ● 2363d

Number Six Worple Avenue has been empty since last August when the tenant sadly died and not a sign of a workman since then

Paul Fisher ● 2363d

It will be very interesting to see who does get these tenancies if and when they are finally awarded.  I trust those who live in the vicinity will be able to keep us posted?

Phil Andrews ● 2363d

Yet another empty property is just around the corner from the 'site office' in the Dawes Ave. house. Curiously this one too has a 'site office' notice in the window yet like no. 37 there isn't a workman to be seen working on it. So the Dear Leader claimed that the 'site office' was because another house was being refurbished - which it is - so why is that too a 'site office'? At one time a mobile Groundhog unit would be used for workmen - given the housing problems Hounslow has you would think that speed would be of the essence and that the council would want to get these properties back into use at the earliest opportunity. So that's FOUR empty family homes in one small area, meanwhile my elderly neighbours sit in another house too big for them and a friend's daughter sits in a flat that's too small for her family - go figure.................

Vanessa Smith ● 2363d

Labour politicians in other parts of the country are facing deselection when they fail to properly represent their constituents or to behave in a way which reflects the decent and traditional values of the party.  If ever there was a local party which has long cried out for root and branch reform it is this one.  Anybody listening out there?

Phil Andrews ● 2363d

Yes very pointed I thought - just show the contempt they have for us.

Vanessa Smith ● 2363d

Perhaps you were just one of the "usual suspects" as Cllr Lambert describes those who bothered to turn up in his weekly blog?

Paul Fisher ● 2363d

No. 37 Dawes Avenue (Cllr. Curran's non-existent site office) is still empty and no workman to be seen as usual - you would think that someone would take an interest and get their finger out to ensure that this property and the others standing empty were brought into use for families a.s.a.p. But - this is Hounslow where residents are obviously given to seeing things that aren't there, and get patronised by councillors at a public meeting when they have the temerity to bring these things to their attention.

Vanessa Smith ● 2363d

Are you a somebody then Claire?Vanessa was a councillor for several years, having been re-elected to office by her constituents on a number of occasions.  I can't say I've ever heard of you.  Please feel free to enlighten us if I've missed something obvious.

Phil Andrews ● 2363d

...  should they also be charging themselves more tax for failing to make their own properties available for those on the housing list faster?

Philippa Bond ● 2366d

Still whining cos you're still a nobody, always will be lol

Claire Clarke ● 2366d

At a stab - inefficiency, incompetence, arrogance, denial. perm any eight from ten.......All I know is that there are  people's lives being affected by this.

Vanessa Smith ● 2366d

Who or what is being shielded by this inaction?

Philippa Bond ● 2366d

The other side of this situation is a family stuck in a tower block with one of the children that has learning disabilities, who have also been trying to get a move for four years, and are told by Hounslow houses by rarely become available. They compound this by losing paperwork and medical and professional reports and asking for people to jump through constant hoops. Can you imagine what it must be like for them to see these houses standing empty for months on end and the senior members of the council being in a state of denial that this is happening? That's without the loss of revenue that empty properties mean.

Vanessa Smith ● 2366d

Vanessa's saga is a really good reason for residents of LBH to feel dissatisfied - it is totally incompetent on behalf of everyone from the Lead Councillor down!

Jennifer Selig ● 2366d

Yesterday I took the trouble to take photos of the empty properties on the estate where I live, and I sent them to The Dear Leader, the cabinet member for housing and local councillors. As my word about this was being doubted at the meeting on Wednesday night. The 'site office' house which Mr. Curran reckons is not a site office but a home being refurbished was closed with safety barriers around it and building detritus in the garden, the red 'site office' notice is still displayed. Sarcastically Mr. Curran suggested I get my facts right and pop in for a cup of tea with the workmen - I wish! I contacted a former councillor who lives opposite to ask her if she knew what was going on and she confirmed it has been used as a site office 'for months', and that prior to that once the previous tenant had gone it had been reported 'numerous times' as being a void.Well, if this is a refurb. it may well enter the Guinness Book of Records for the longest time ever as no-one goes nigh or by the site at all.As for the saga of the sheltered unit upgrade - no-one doubts that the building and fire regs. have to be of the highest spec. but please someone explain why you would approach people about downsizing and then take over a year to get work done to the place you've offered them?The saddest thing of all is the dismissive attitude of some smug, pompous councillors to their own resident's questions, and their inability to even consider there may be something that's not working properly and take the opportunity to try and resolve matters.

Vanessa Smith ● 2366d

It is true that deregulation and the fact that Building Regulations here have not been updated have/are causing concern and problems.  How long we will have to wait to be as up-to-date as Scotland - who knows?  There have been some interesting programmes on Radio 4 on the housing situation which I'm sure can be watched again.

Philippa Bond ● 2367d

Spent an evening at Cabinet Question Time and have made a mental note to get a grip and get a life in future, if you want to ask questions and expect answers I hope it keeps fine for you. Even though I had sent the Dear Leader and the cabinet member for housing a picture of the house being used as a site office by the council, I was firmly told by Mr. Curran it was NOT being used as such! Clearly I am delusional and possibly hallucinating - because work is being done on this property to bring it back into use, this in spite of the fact it has a large red notice on it declaring 'Site Office' and the garden is full of building materials, oh! and it's also because there is local work going on? Really? God alone knows where that's happening. Also big laugh of the evening - the turn around time for empty properties is 19 days! This in spite of the fact we have another property that's still empty after approx. eight weeks, and in that time no-one has been near it.Rarely have I come across such a patronising bunch of individuals, still I suppose we ought to be grateful we were allowed in their esteemed presence.As for the plight of my elderly neighbours - it's 'elf and safety' doncha know, hiding behind the awful tragedy of Grenfell as an excuse for their tardy behaviour, they're an absolute disgrace.

Vanessa Smith ● 2368d

Two days on and not a peep from any of the councillors I have contacted - par for the course I fear.

Vanessa Smith ● 2368d

Vanessa Smith ● 2370d

https://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/ajs137/37%20Dawes%20Ave%202_zpshed0uihn.jpg

Vanessa Smith ● 2370d

I have no idea - not sure that these are held that regularly - not enough publicity and barely any information. Some might say they don't want us there?

Vanessa Smith ● 2370d

Does the venue for Cabinet Questions rotate between the different wards?

Philippa Bond ● 2370d

Another empty house seen just down the road today - 3 bed, double fronted being used as a 'site office' for Lampton 360! Have Hounslow so many properties they can let this go on? I have sent pictures to a few councillors including the Dear Leader and the cabinet member for housing asking for some explanation, that's without the 3 bed house just around the corner from me - still empty too. Still my elderly neighbours sitting in a 3 bed house they would like to give up are stuck because Hounslow cannot get its act together to complete work on a nearby sheltered unit. So that's a potential 3 families who could get lovely homes - go figure. Oh! I do hope the cabinet has some answers on Wednesday.

Vanessa Smith ● 2370d

but here comes Cabinet question time...

Philippa Bond ● 2375d

but here comes Cabinet question time...

Philippa Bond ● 2375d

Answer came there none....................

Vanessa Smith ● 2375d

What's the excuse now?

Philippa Bond ● 2376d

Hardly - it is incompetence and inefficiency at the highest level, don't lets get carried away in an attempt to make this something it isn't just to have a pop at Hounslow. Granted they need having a go at, but in the proper context.

Vanessa Smith ● 2376d

"Do you mean the house in Worple Avenue"Yes, that's the one - crisis what crisis? Yet I know someone desperate to move from a tower block with two children one of whom has special needs and who has been trying to move for years..................

Vanessa Smith ● 2376d

Has our beloved local MP nothing to say on this outstanding incompetence by Hounslow Housing?

Robin Dickers ● 2376d

This is Elder Abuse inflicted by an incompetent Council. May I suggest you you let Hounslow Pensioners Forum know about their plight, there is professional support to address these levels of abuse and it can be taken higher, this is a social policy issue.

Philippa Auton ● 2376d

Do you mean the house in Worple Avenue Vanessa as this three bedroom property has stood empty for months now since the tenant unfortunately died with no sign of any builders yet?

Paul Fisher ● 2376d

The 3 bed double fronted council owned house that has been vacant since before Christmas remains empty. Why on earth is there no swift letting procedure? If any work does need doing surely that should be done as a matter of urgency given we have a housing crisis, to get properties let a.s.a.p.? My elderly neighbours meanwhile continue to wait upon the housing department's pleasure for a move from a 3 bed house to a sheltered unit flat they were promised over a year ago.

Vanessa Smith ● 2376d

I did remark that if I wrote it up as a T.V. programme no-one would believe it.

Vanessa Smith ● 2396d

It's unbelievable.  It will make a good piece of journalism.

Philippa Bond ● 2396d

Latest - housing have not even started installing fire doors yet! No-one can give an estimated completion date, and neither of the councillors I e-mailed have graced me with an acknowledgement.

Vanessa Smith ● 2396d

Yes I have, & been inside on a tour round.So I haven’t imagined it, thanks.HAVE YOU? madam

Robin Dickers ● 2398d

No - it is there in all its shiny new glory right on the corner of Lampton Rd. moving in date is March I understand. Rob's point though is well made - a whole new building where apparently the building and fire regs. apply just the same, yet a tiny conversion project seems beyond the same local authority.

Vanessa Smith ● 2398d

I don't think the two things are related.Have you visited this 'brand new plush civic centre' or is it something you've imagined i.e. made up?

Anne England ● 2399d

Disgraceful! and to think the time this has been going on they have managed to build themselves a brand new plush civic centre.You really couldn’t make it up with this council.

Robin Dickers ● 2399d