Forum Topic

Empty Homes

Lifted from Hounslow Council website also in Hounslow Matters."In Hounslow, as many as 10 properties a week become available, and the council does everything in its power to make sure those properties are back in use within a three week time frame.  Most of this time is usually taken up with repairs and decoration to the property as well as identifying and signing up the new tenants. Cllr Lily Bath, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, said she was determined to make this a priority; she said: “Here in Hounslow, our housing team is already making great strides in reducing the number of both private and council empty homes in the borough as well as making improvements to them.  According to the latest National Empty Homes statistics, our number of private empty homes has gone down year on year and now stands at a respectable 191 homes out of a total of over 100,000, one of the smallest number in the London boroughs. However, I am determined to help reduce this number even further and make sure homes which have fallen into poor state, are renovated quickly and re-let for those residents who need them”.How does that fit with your experience Vanessa?

Jennifer Selig ● 2310d17 Comments

This gem was found on Facebook today:"‎Brentford TV‎ to Brentford Today & TV: #Debate Not Hate#3 hrs · COUNCIL LEADER THANKS MRS COYTE FOR DOWNSIZING FROM FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE TO TWO BEDROOM FLAT."We’re very pleased that Mrs Coyte made this decision as there is a severe shortage of four-bedroom council houses." – Cllr Steve Curran.Mrs Coyte is pictured here with Cllr Curran, deputy leader Lily Bath and Kate Davies, chief exec of Notting Hill Genesis. She is the first council tenant to move into the development on the old Civic Centre site.Cllr Curran added: "If you are a council tenant interested in downsizing, please contact your housing officer who would be delighted to speak to you. Mrs Coyte’s daughter, who was with her, said that the whole family was delighted with the move and it was like “winning the lottery.”I would laugh hysterically if this wasn't such a p*ss take."My elderly neighbour - who waited almost two years to downsize - finally moved to a sheltered unit - only to find that the bathroom was not suitable - no safety rails, toilet too low (all new refurbished property). Now it seems most of the bathroom will have to come out to be converted into a suitable wet room. These conversion works were going on for about eighteen months with constant delays and even then Hounslow messed them up and inconvenienced an elderly lady with their total incompetence.And that's not to mention the inordinate amount of time family sized properties have been left empty around here, it is a scandal and these people just seem totally oblivious as to what is going on.

Vanessa Smith ● 2289d

Those were the days!  It seems to be make-it-up-as-you-go-along contracts nowadays with fewer either taking pride or responsibility in their work or being allowed to. (Those who do get greater satisfaction in their work and consequently become gold-dust.)  Cheap contracts can turn out to be poor and badly planned ones - so you end up paying at least twice as much.

Philippa Bond ● 2298d

I have to report that the move to the sheltered unit for my neighbour was not straightforward. No safety rails in loo and bathroom (standard fittings surely in accomodation for the elderly and vulnerable?) Lay out of bathroom not satisfactory and the loo too low, plus shower has a leak! So this means workmen having to return and put things right these things after all these months and months of work and constant delays. It's all very well building control worrying about Fire Safety and we get that - but bloody hell these other things are self evidently basics - aren't they? Where is the Clerk of Works  - or don't they exist in this day and age?

Vanessa Smith ● 2299d

He obviously must want a very quiet life with silent Lead Cllrs.  Most of whom are just that it seems.

Jennifer Selig ● 2299d

I didn't vote for her anyway as she represents a ward at the other end of the borough, the Leader appoints the cabinet members, so it's down to him.

Vanessa Smith ● 2302d

Don't vote for her next time around.

Jennifer Selig ● 2302d

Well - at the Question Time in Brentford apart from a few platitudes about homelessness and how Hounslow turned round empty properties in 19 days I think it was - she said and contributed bugger all. It was Steve Curran who said most about the empty properties that I had photographed and brought to their attention that day, as I said where's the point - if the cabinet member responsible is found wanting?

Vanessa Smith ● 2302d

Exactly - I wonder if she will show her face in Chiswick at the Q&A session.  I can't get out at night much so will have to wait for a transcript of events or a report from someone who does go.

Jennifer Selig ● 2302d

I have to say Steve Curran obviously put a bomb under someone - but what I ask does the cabinet member for housing actually do? Apart from the fanciful propaganda in the 'Hounslow Matters' mag.? I don't think that people should have to e-mail the Leader when there are ward councillors and cabinet members with their own special responsibilities. Like having a dog and barking yourself?

Vanessa Smith ● 2302d

but what a to-do.  Without your badgering I wonder how long it would have taken?  Does Lead Cllr Lily Bath have any answers?

Jennifer Selig ● 2302d

After an e-mail to the Leader I have had contact from the excellent housing officer we have dealt with and the safety rails should be installed this week - fingers crossed.

Vanessa Smith ● 2304d

A shameful lack of coordination.

Philippa Bond ● 2304d

Done that at a Cabinet Question Time last February!Much good did it do.

Vanessa Smith ● 2307d

Now's your chance to beard the Councillor head on:-Cabinet Question Time heads to Chiswick Residents can quiz members of the council’s Cabinet about council services and local matters. The Q&A will take place at St Michael's Church, Elmwood Road, Chiswick from 7pm to 9pm (doors open 6.45pm) and attendees can put questions to them on any aspect of their Cabinet portfolios.All residents are welcome, and admission will be on a first-come, first-entry basis. Questions will be taken from the floor, but if you wish to submit a question to Cabinet in advance of the event, please send it in to communications@hounslow.gov.uk by 12noon on Friday 11 October.The event will be recorded, and the audio will be available on the council website within a week of the event.2019 Cabinet is:Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of the CouncilCouncillor Lily Bath, Deputy Leader of the CouncilCouncillor Candice Atterton, Adults, Social Care and HealthCouncillor Tom Bruce, Education, Children and Youth ServicesCouncillor Samia Chaudhary, Leisure ServicesCouncillor Katherine Dunne, Communities and WorkforceCouncillor Pritam Grewal, Customer Services and Corporate PerformanceCouncillor Hanif Khan, Transport and Corporate PropertyCouncillor Guy Lambert, Highways, Recycling and Trading CompaniesCouncillor Shantanu Rajawat, Finance and Corporate Services

Jennifer Selig ● 2307d

Gets better though - my elderly neighbour who should have moved yesterday is stuck because housing haven't installed the safety handles in the shower and loo, even though they were specifically told about this when the tenancy agreement was signed the other week. Not sure I can find the words to describe such total incompetence. But then they've only had two years to get this right.

Vanessa Smith ● 2309d

Can only presume Cllr Lily Bath has better fish to fry or maybe is away on jolly hols six months at a time - she doesn't appear to be taking her job very seriously.  What stupid people voted for her as a Councillor???  Plainly she's just NOT up to the demands of the job and should be removed, by the Great Leader!

Jennifer Selig ● 2310d

At the risk of being called cynical I'd say that was b*ll*cks! My elderly neighbour finally, finally was able to move to a sheltered unit yesterday after nearly two years had passed since being approached about downsizing by housing. So now there is another 3 bed family house vacant - I wonder how long that will take to be re-furbed and let? The house that was used as the 'Site Office' and has been empty since November 2017 finally saw the scaffolding go up yesterday to do a full refurb. When you consider all this was raised at the 'Cabinet Question Time' back in February, it's hardly speedy is it? I'd be interested to know what is meant by 'great strides'. After all if they have less homes to look after shouldn't they be turning them around much faster?

Vanessa Smith ● 2310d