Forum Topic

what will candidates do about A2D?

There is an appalling record of failure of duty of care  and poor service by A2Dominion in this borough which affects a wide range of local residents. Some people are being treated as third rate citizens.So far both local MPs and the portfolio holder for housing as well as candidates have kept very quiet about the issue.So given that it is becoming a big issue over a wide area ( A2D receive huge local authority and central govt funding as well as preferential planning and land access with executives hiking up salaries into 6 figure sums,) What do the current councillor holding the housing portfolio , prospective councillors and local MPs  propose to deal with such organisations?

Anthony Waller ● 4280d15 Comments

Absolutely,  Especially when it comes to local taxpayers funding their ventures, profits and the excesses of the directorsSo why has Steve Curran not recommneded action given that this scurrilous Housing Association makes the antics of Hounslow Homes look like a drive in the park? And it has been known about for quite some time.Is he out of his depth? Or is he being suppressed by his masters?Why ? One wonders.

Anthony Waller ● 4277d

If the council is paying them funds and there are a high level of complaints then they should stop paying. Things would improve!  Action in terms of non-payment or court must be taken.That is what I would do and I would be fully committed to seeing a positive outcome.

Ryan Thomas ● 4277d

This is disgraceful and I have already questioned Ruth Cadbury about it. Steve Curran is the housing portfolio holder in Hounslow and should be shed some lights on this.

Emanuele Sozzi ● 4277d

Looks as though A2D are going to handle the Alfa Laval site as well!That's on the opposite corner to GWQ at the Ealing Road/GWR junction.http://www.a2dominion.co.uk/rte.asp?id=1260&task=Search&proptype=23&borough=13

Jim Lawes ● 4278d

These organisations are more slippery than eels. They intimidate and evade. If you are unfortunate enough to have a landlord or estate managed by A2D then you are already aware. They know exactly how to evade the law because those charged with monitoring and taking action won't lift a finger.It has been made hugely complex and would drain the funds of any ordianry mortal to bring about a case.

Anthony Waller ● 4278d

If they are breaking the law, lease conditions or other contractual obligations then they should be taken to court. End of.

Ryan Thomas ● 4279d

Are the election candidates aware of all this directly Emanuelle?My understanding is that some of them are for sure.Why though are they not getting involved .    An authority could suspend any funding to A2D until they meet the required standards.  And just who is it at LBH that keeps giving A2D preferential planning and site and development access when they have such a poor existing standard?Is it bad advice or fingers in the pie?

Anthony Waller ● 4280d

Hi Anthony We know about freeholders unlucky enough to be managed by A2 dominion! And A2D do not even even have a freehold property department! The leasehold property manager is in charge. A2D are now managing all tenures and do not even understand the difference in terms of rights and obligations. In Trico house they have put together in the same block social tenants and leaseholders when these categories have different leases! In all GWQ Trico house is the only block with mixed tenures.

Emanuele Sozzi ● 4280d

Anthony you speak very wisely here. You might also ask why Labour is getting into to bed with Tesco's developers over the tower block at Hounslow East, and why supporters of the NHS feel so unconfident in Labour that they have to form their own party.

Ian Speed ● 4280d

I would have thought that the excesses of A2D executives, it's move from being a social housing association into a developer whilst completely unable to maintain and provide adequate basic standards to it's existing tenants, would be more than enough for Labour to be screaming foulIt goes to the very roots of fair socialism.But no. Labour say nothing and do nothing on such issues.Not that other mainstream parties are saying or doing much either.I'm just glad I'm now a freeholder, the first in my family, and no longer at the mercy of corporate landlords.

Anthony Waller ● 4280d

Mary Macleod MP certainly knows about A2D. So does Seema Malhotra MP and so does Cllr. Steve Curran as Cabinet housing portfolio holder.And what have any of them done?  One guess. They have even evaded questions from the media.They have all made promises and assurances to get to the bottom of what is clearly a big problem of greed, corruption and sheer arrogant incompetence.One of my old schoolmates is having a nightmare with A2D and has told me enough to make one rage with anger.There are some awful stories about the failings in duty of care to ordinary hard working people of limited means. Yet none of these elected representatives has made an iota of difference.If you are affected either by A2D and other Housing Associations that seem to have forgotten why they came into existence.  Get in touch with your MP and the boroughs Housing portfolio councillors whatever borough you live in.One thing we do know is my mate is not alone. There are thousands of hard working tenants being treated worse than refugees who get treated better.

Raymond Havelock ● 4280d

I have first hand experience of Notting Hill Housing Group who also leave a lot to be desired, both in their understanding of all but the most routine housing problems and in the general perception they have of their tenants.When I was Lead Member I spent a lot of time with the Chair of the federation which represents these associations and he was very switched on, but I think it is a positivity which has failed to permeate through to the service providers generally.

Phil Andrews ● 4280d

This sounds appalling, although it's the first I've heard of it specifically, a canvassed voter did mention to me about her own housing association elsewhere. It's the kind we in the ICG would want looked into if we got in.

Ian Speed ● 4280d

- faulty CCTVs and likely to be not properly maintained- no lease enforcement against bad tenants not respecting the rules - fly tippin- ASB- intruders - vandalism - illegal parkingResidents have been in touch with local MP and councillor

Emanuele Sozzi ● 4280d

Very well said Anthony.Here at GWQ in Brentford in 5 years we have seen pretty much anything:- outages of hot water and heating - repairs such as roof leaks not fixed after 3 years- very low quality repairs that become cyclical - entry and communal doors faulty every week- never received a proper set of service charge account- fuel poverty: residents have been forced into pre-paid smart readers with higher tariff than open market -

Emanuele Sozzi ● 4280d