| Advice |
The HLA's advice centre has closed temporarily for lack of funds despite having handled over 500 cases over a previous two-year period. Efforts are currently being made to reopen it. In the meantime the HLA cannot give professional advice on individual leaseholder problems.
The HLA will continue to represent leaseholders as a group at Council level. Of course we always listen sympathetically to the stories of our membership. See also the Leasehold Advisory Service under links. |
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| Latest News |
Happy Birthday HLA
The HLA has been around helping us help ourselves for a decade!
We've had a few downs over the last ten years - hasn't everyone? - but we've also had a lot of ups, especially over the last few years. If we look back to 2004 when we achieved prominence as an association by taking on Haringey Council in a massive courtcase - and lost - we have surprised the pundits by coming back, practically from the dead as it were, to notch up the following signficant successes:
1) A change in policy regarding the installation by leaseholders of their own windows. This was as a result of an HLA campaign.
2) We negotiated improved payment options for leaseholders for major works.
3) We played our full part in the campaign that led to the Council backing down over digital aerials, thereby reducing the extortionate charges many leaseholders face and giving some choice over what is installed.
4) Leaseholders are able to opt in to gas servicing carried out on Council tenants' properties by the Council's contractors at a reduced cost.
5) At our request the Council are now looking at allowing leaseholders to opt in to the repairs service which tenants receive which should be more convenient and cost less.
6) At our request Homes for Haringey allow leaseholders to buy kitchens and bathrooms from the Decent Homes contractors at the reduced price they have negotiated. Leaseholders are responsible for their own installation though.
In the meantime we have strengthened and grown as an organisation by:
a) Acquiring for the first time a comprehensive database of all Haringey leaseholders as a result of our challenge in an LVT hearing.
b) Growing the subscriber membership from zero to over 200 in just over two years.
c) Winning the respect of senior management at HfH for the responsible and effective way we have put the case for leaseholders. They have to take us seriously now as witness the mention we got in their last Annual Report.
d) Changing and updating our constitution while retaining our core mission of representing the interests of all leaseholders whether or not they pay a subscription to us.
e) Bringing the HLA to the point where Homes for Haringey have offered to increase our annual grant substantially from £700 pa to £10,000. This is something you, the membership, will be asked to decide.
So all in all here's to the next ten years of the HLA and, in the meantime, congratulations to Sue Brown, our Chair, on having recovered from a serious illness earlier this year. Sue has been with the association from the very beginning. It's fair to say that without her it simply wouldn't be here. Let's hope she enjoys the cake!!!!!
10th birthday cake!!
Resident Board Member Elections
Congratulations to Peter Gilbert, one of our members, who is standing for the board. He has done a lot of outstanding work for leaseholders. He has stood his ground and taken up issues with HfH for some years now. As a subscriber and supporter of the HLA we wish him well and endorse his candidature.
We note that the other candidate has stated that she was Vice Chair of the HLA. This should not be taken as an endorsement by the HLA. The HLA cannot endorse her as, since resigning after her brief tenure in post, she has called for the HLA to be derecognised by HfH, thus depriving leaseholders in the borough of a voice. It is important to have someone on the board who will give leaseholders a chance.
Created on 01/23/2009 09:31 PM by admin
Updated on 09/04/2010 02:00 PM by admin
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