Understanding Service Charges (again)…
Service charges enable the maintenance and management of shared spaces within residential developments—in theory, at least. However, there is a growing concern regarding service charge abuse, leaving many residents questioning the fairness and transparency of these fees. Service charges should reflect the services provided, from cleaning and maintenance to utility costs and repairs. Yet when these agreements are mismanaged, residents bear the burden of rising costs for inadequate services. When services aren’t delivered, leaving residents to pay for something they don’t receive, one could call it fraud. With little oversight, these charges are increasing to levels that are making affordable housing quickly become unaffordable.
Service Charge Factor - The straw to break the camel's back?
With the start of the new financial year, residents of affordable and shared ownership homes have been sent their service charge bills, with many of us being dismayed at the hike in fees. Service charges are often a bone of contention; many of us dispute the value for money we receive for this charge when, more often than not, services are woefully neglected.
Launching #SafeWarmDry A Community-Led Project for Safer Homes in Oxford
At Housing Sector, we're thrilled to kick off this February with a dedicated initiative aimed at making homes in Oxford safer, warmer, and drier. The #SafeWarmDry campaign is more than a project, it’s a community-driven movement to empower residents and address housing challenges. Join us in creating positive change and ensuring every home in Oxford is safety warm and dry.
UK Government's Social Housing Reforms: What You Need to Know
In August 2018, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a green paper titled "A new deal for social housing," outlining five principles to create a new, fairer deal for social housing residents. The government's response to the call for evidence highlighted concerns about safety and quality, poor handling of complaints, and tenants feeling unheard. The government published a social housing white paper on 17 November 2020, which set out measures to reinforce the regulator's objectives, empower residents, and encourage investment in neighbourhoods. Although the white paper was generally well received, stakeholders expressed concerns over the pace of the proposed reforms, tenants' representation, and resource implications for social housing providers.