Forum Topic

Cutbacks? What cutbacks?

I think the lunatics have finally taken over the asylum! Hounslow is giving "grants" of up to fifteen thousand pounds to private landlords so they can improve their properties. In these straitened times,am I the only one who finds this astonishing?

John Kerr ● 4584d30 Comments

I agree. Councillors of all parties should declare their interests and those of their families and companies in which they have shareholdings  so there  is absolute transparency and no suspicion that Councillors are using this policy for personal gain.

David Giles ● 4572d

Several Labour councillors do own second and third properties and are declared. I understand one or two own multiple properties undeclared and in wives names and 'lost'in a myriad of business names.However the tories have nothing to crow about either as several tories were mixed up in the last debacle in the 1980s.This time though, all should be declared. Who the landlords are and they should be completely scrutinised by an independent non political panel.

Raymond Havelock ● 4574d

The whole idea of using taxpayers' money to subsidise private landlords so that the private landlords can add to the value of their properties is highly dubious. It is even more dubious when one knows of the close connections between some of  the ruling Labour Councillors and some private landlords in the Borough.Is this a national scheme using special  central government  funding ?Where is the money coming from?Has this scheme been approved by the Secretary of State for Local Government, Eric Pickles?Will landlords who receive this funding be able to raise the rents they charge after using taxpayers' money to improve their properties?Will landlords who receive this funding be able to sell their properties and make a capital gain after using taxpayers' money to improve their properties?Will the Council publish the details of which landlords have applied for these grants and which landlords have received these grants and the relevant addresses and amounts ?Who will decide who will be given these grants? Will the decisions  be made by elected Councillors from the ruling Labour Group, some of whom may be landlords themselves or who have relatives, friends or party members who are landlords, or will the decision be made by impartial council officials without direction or interference from the elected Councillors ?Why should the Council subsidise landlords who own substandard properties and not subsidise or reward landlords who have invested in their properties and whose properties are of the required standard?Does the Council include in its register of Councillors' interests, a list of properties owned by Councillors and their family members?Is this whole scheme a way of transferring taxpayers' money, contributed by taxpayers from all sections of society, including tenants, pensioners and young people and others on low incomes to people who already own property and who could if they so wish improve their properties using their own funds or loans obtained in the normal way from banks or building societies ?

David Giles ● 4574d

This stinks.Labour Hounslow is a rotten borough.Time for the Conservatives to come to power and sweep all these Labour Councillors out of power

David Giles ● 4574d

He's either a completely naive Mug or there's something very fishy going on.Did something like this not happen before in the last decade and it turned out that the recipients of such grants were multiple landlords who were all related to party members?Surely this is not all going on again?Either way it's an utterly stupid way to help a housing problem.As has been mentioned. Is a landlord who lets a place go empty or keeps properties in unhabitable conditions a fit and proper person to be a landlord for any market private or social?They are almost certainly using the property as a tax loss. If they are decalaring tax on multiple properties in the first instance. Will Cllr. Curran & Co. be ensuring all tax liabilities are declared and payments are vetted?Will the recipient landlords be made public to those funding them?Should they be rewarded and with taxpayers money?What signal does that send out? Stupid and if it's not, it must be some scam.

Raymond Havelock ● 4574d

Its interesting that councillor Curran now feels the need to offer "clarity" regarding this freebie. The council are now saying it only applies to empty properties. There had been no previous mention of this. It sounds like backtracking to me,in order to make this waste more palatable. I wonder how many private landlords have empty properties on their hands? A tiny amount,i should think. A very nice try by the councillor,but I think we know whats going on here.2

John Kerr ● 4574d

I'd like a piece of the pie.How do I do it?Just ask?

Ian Silver ● 4574d

I was beginning to think that this was just a misconstrued rumour until reading Cllr Curran's statement of Clarity.I thought it must be a scheme that has been misunderstood.But Oh No!He has made it very clear now. A complete gift for bad private landlords. and wreckless use of council taxpayers funds.Mr Brandt hit the nail on the head fair and square. - If landlords cannot afford to maintain a property in a fit and habitable state, then they are not fit to be a landlord and should be forced to sell the property. And certainly not allowed to rent to the council . They are as bad as the bed and breakfast operators, many of whom are related to many LBH Councillors past and present going back to the 1980s.To give 50% of the cost of refurbishment of a property is truly foolish. Even with the strings attached the landlord is in a win win situation and will profit from the taxpayer in two ways : A handout from the council and guaranteed rent income ...from the council.Who is going to monitor the true cost of labour, materials and so on?This is thoroughly offensive as it will simply do nothing to solve the affordable homes crisis which this very council has fuelled.It underlines that unfit landlords benefit and profit when they should be prevented from being landlords.It is a kick in the teeth for those landlords who are not greedy and continually fund their rental properties to a high standard.Quite frankly, Cllr Curran, whoever dreamed this up should resign, be it politician of officer.The council should only do business with reputable landlords with a proven history of fairness and quality. 6 months? That's not even a normal shorthold tenancy term. They should also have full access to all accounts and tax declarations if they are to give any money away in such a way.It really is a well meant schoolchild idea that is fundamentally flawed.

Anthony Waller ● 4574d

Hounslow already has a huge waiting list,their first priority should be to house those who already live in the borough,not people who have had to leave other boroughs,however unfortunate that may be.They are also offerimg landlords a 1000 pounds incentive to rent their properties to the council. With the guaranteed rental income that should be more than enough.Any other expenditure should be down to the landlord,most of whom can well afford to bring their properties up to the required standard. And why would the council want to do business with landlords who had previously not met these standards.The council have not said that this money will come from central government.Its still our money,either way!

John Kerr ● 4582d

I think Adam is correct this money quite likely comes from central government for this very purpose.

Vanessa Smith ● 4583d

the asain club strikes again

Robert A Field ● 4583d

I'm abit lost here.Just reading the relevant article on the Hounslow Chronicle website, these grants don't appear to be directed at private landlords to improve their properties for general private renting purposes, but specifically to house people at risk of being homeless.Whether you or I agree with it or not, that is, unless I'm very much mistaken, something that every Council has to do, i.e. it's a mandatory function, so unless you know something I don't I don't quite see why this is so 'outrageous'.

Adam Beamish ● 4583d

Alison.its on the councils news feed,where they mention having to house people from other boroughs,and on the Middlesex Chronicle website,where they don't mention that.

John Kerr ● 4583d

I'm very interested in this so had a look into it, but can't find anything on the council website about it that's up to date. John, where did the story come from? Yes of course if its true then it does seem outrageous and total wrong use of taxpayers money when private landlords should maintain their properties themselves! The stuff I found on their website however, the renvoation grants, seem to be only for owner/occupiers who've lived there 5 years or more, or tenants with responsiblity for repair, and guarantee of staying in the accomodation for 10 years after repairs done. Most of the criteria seem to be for vulnerable (eg elderly) or for disabled to adapt their home. Here's the stuff I could find, http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/discretionary_grant_policy.pdf but maybe this is different to what you're talking about.  I just wondered where the original source is for the story. I think it is worthy of a national newspaper story to out the council if true!

Alison Draper ● 4583d

Which underlines why party politics does not good for a local council or a district's well being.They are all more wrapped up with their world of party politics, ambition and posturing than doing what they should be doing.I don't know what's worse the politicians or the parties!

Anthony Waller ● 4583d

The info that Vanessna has provided is very interesting considering that it is dated from 2007I honestly dont ever recall this when I was part of the administration at the time and it could be a reason why the Conservative councillors are reluctant to comment on the latest newsThe info could have been publushed pre May 2006 of course though when Labour still held the Borough

Paul Fisher ● 4583d

The silence of the local Conservatives is more likely to be down to their current very serious internal difficulties.  Having already lost five of their 25 councillors and with others known to be considering their options, getting involved in an issue like this is probably the last thing on their minds right now.

Phil Andrews ● 4584d

I don't think so Anthony,i suspect the majority of the recipients will be labour voting landlords,helping labour to strengthen their power bases in certain parts of the borough.

John Kerr ● 4584d

Well that's obvious.The conservative counclllors will be the recipient landlords.Why else are they so quiet of so many burning issues?They are all as thick as theives

Anthony Waller ● 4584d

If houses are below standard accommodation then it is down to the owner to pay for the improvements,he is the one who is making money from renting it out.It should NOT be paid by council taxpayers!! At a time when many essential services are being cut back,this policy defies belief.What can we do to stop this happening,where are the Conservative councillors?

John Kerr ● 4584d

If that means that the many long term sitting tenants who live in below standard housing can get a better home to live in then that's fine.But very few have repair responsibility, which is why they live in such poor housing.No-one ever enforces the rather secretive Housing Family Trusts to maintain their stock.When it does happen they get allowed to hike up rents which ends up forcing the tenants out.Which is not the implication of Landlords receiving grants.But it still returns to the fact that Landlords who are not keeping properties properly maintained, should not be allowed to be landlords and certainly not get taxpayers money which they will profit from sooner or later.

Anthony Waller ● 4584d

Renovation / Home Repairs Assistance Grants  Please note that this is under review and we envisage that the new Policy will be introduced in May 2007.  If you own or live in a private sector property in Hounslow, and the property needs repairing to bring it up to a reasonable standard, you may be eligible for a grant from us.Who can apply for this grant?Who will qualify?What works can be carried out?How will the grant be calculated?Are there charges?Is there a limit to this grantHow do I apply?Who can apply for this grant?Applicants applying for grant assistance must be aged over 18 years, and be a UK citizen or ordinary resident in the UK not subject to immigration control, to have a UK National Insurance Number.back to topWho will qualify?To qualify for either grant;◾·The property must be in the London Borough of Hounslow. ◾·The applicant must be an owner-occupier, or be a tenant with repairing responsibility. ◾·The applicant must have lived and owned the property from the last 3 years. ◾·The applicant / partner or member of the household does not own another property in the U.K. or abroad. ◾·The applicant / partner has not received any other Discretionary Grant in the past 5 years (excluding energy efficiency and minor adaptations) ◾·The applicant has not been a recipient of a partially funded Disabled Facility Grant in the past 5 years. In addition for Renovation Grants;◾Have reached the sufficient points level, which will prioritise properties that are a Health and Safety risk to the occupants. ◾·The property must not have more than two unoccupied bedrooms. ◾·The applicant / partner has not acquired the property under the Right to Buy Scheme within the last 5 years.Please note that priority will be given to properties that have a Council Tax banding of A, B, C and D and acquire adequate points in accordance with the councils point assessment system.back to topWhat works can be carried out?Renovation Grants:◾Structural stability◾·Dampness◾·Toilet provision◾·Electrics◾·Drainage◾·Bathing◾·Kitchen facilitiesHome Repairs Assistance:A typical Home Repair Assistance Grant will include works for securing the basic fabric of a property from wind or rain, protecting the occupants from immediate danger, insulation, replacement of lead pipes, repair to windows or doors and minor adaptations.Once you have contacted Private Sector Housing Unit, a technical officer will be sent to you, who will evaluate the works required and whether you are eligible for the grant assistance.back to topHow will the grant be calculated?This is a discretionary and a means-tested grant and all resident household members will be subject to a means test. The amount of grant will be the difference between the amount of the assessed contribution and the total cost of the eligible work.back to topAre there charges?The grant given will be registered on the Local Land Charges for 5 years and the whole grant will be repayable if the property is sold within that period.Please be aware that you will not get any grant if you start work before the council approve the application.back to topIs there a limit to this Grant?The Renovation grant will be capped at a maximum of £15,000 and the Home Repairs Assistance grant will be capped at a maximum of £5,000.back to topHow do I apply?You can now fill out the Renovation or Home Repair Grant - Preliminary Questionnaire online.If you would like a paper form, please contact:Private Sector Housing UnitCivic CentreLampton RoadHounslowMiddlesexTW3 4DNTel: 020 8583 3876/3877Fax: 020 8583 3990Minicom: 020 8583 3900E-mail: privatesectorhousing.grants@hounslow.gov.uk

Vanessa Smith ● 4584d

These schemes always have strings attached and it is always the same types who get the cash and they are always connected in some way with the usual suspects.I recall something like this happened before, I was at school at the time but remember reading in The Hounslow Recorder hoe a landlord got a whole wad of cash for an improvement scheme for a load of houses in, I think Bulstrode Road.Turned out recipient was the husband of a councillors sister.  I think the paper revealed several of them at that little game as well as approving planning applications for relatives who used maiden names and so on.I though this had been stamped out but I'll wager that it will be fiddled again.As someone else said, They must be soft in the head. These are the sorts of landlords that we need to eliminate and what signal does that send out to the Landlords who are not greedy and constantly maintain their rental properties?Will the council be insisting on rent caps for this handout?Will they be insisting on full presentation of accounts and checking to see that tax is being paid?Yes this needs full clarity as it's taxpayers money.Come on councillors, What the heck is going on?

Anthony Waller ● 4584d

With all the bad publicity lbh have had recently,Private Eye and all,you'd think that further controversy and policies that might be open to speculation about ethical standards is the last thing that they would want.This policy would seem on the face of it dodgy in the extreme and open to abuse.I wonder what Miliband thinks of this.

Keith Iddon ● 4584d

"Free money to anyone who wants it"Yeah

Ian Silver ● 4584d

Phil,i don't think the identity of the landlords is particularly relevant,this appears to be free money to anyone who wants it! Surely there are more worthy beneficiaries of this largesse than private landlords,the elderly,the disabled,to name but two. This is truly disgusting!

John Kerr ● 4584d

I don't know what the Conservative Group at LBH thinks, if indeed it still exists, but I do feel an FoI request coming on to find out whether we can establish the identities of the landlords in question.

Phil Andrews ● 4584d

I can understand how the Labour councillors,some of whom obviously have their own political agenda going on,think this is clever,but what have the Consevatives got to say about this farce? I emailed Peter Thompson two days ago,but have had no reply.

John Kerr ● 4584d

"This council must be soft in the head. A Lunatic idea.  I suspect the recipients of the funds will be the usual selection of friends and families of certain councillors and officers."Absolutely and then when discovered it will be swept under the carpet as every scandal at Hounslow Council is

Paul Fisher ● 4584d

Landlords who cannot afford to maintain their properties are not fit for purpose and should not be allowed to rent properties and should be forced to sell.This is wholly unfair to the many landlords who do ensure their properties are up to scratch and look after the property properly.This council must be soft in the head. A Lunatic idea.  I suspect the recipients of the funds will be the usual selection of friends and families of certain councillors and officers.They were at it 30 years ago and it seems the same old stuff is going on.Maybe they will make public just who gets a grant this time round?

Michael Brandt ● 4584d