Two housing associations which also build and sell private leasehold retirement properties are planning to merge. It is claimed that the proposed merger would make both organisations more efficient and allow economies of scale in employing contractors. A leaflet sent to residents of the associations says of the merger: “A new bigger organisation would be […]
Now Anchor wants to grab a £160,000 house manager flat … for £10,000
October 15, 2014 By
After Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation revealed that Hanover had sold 21 house manager flats, the cash-strapped Anchor is proposing to do the same. Residents at Welland Mews, in Stamford in Lincolnshire, were this morning asked whether they want to continue with a resident house manager as the post is vacant. If they agree to […]
Hanover: 21 house manager flats sold ‘after taking advice’
September 22, 2014 By
The Hanover housing association has no set procedure for selling off house manager flats at its 104 retirement sites. It has already sold 21 flats – more here. As leases vary, each site is assessed individually and advice is obtained, Hanover has told Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation in a statement: “There is some variation […]
Mounting concern as Hanover has sold 21 house manager flats
September 11, 2014 By
Hanover residents are becoming increasingly concerned that the supposedly not-for-profit housing association is mining value out of their sites by flogging off the house manager flats. Leonard Hackett Court in Bournemouth had its house manager flat sold in June for £105,000, while others report Hanover seeking planning consent to enhance value before putting the properties […]
£750,000 lost in SmartSource Water scandal
August 29, 2014 By
Following up the Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation story of Hanover losing £500,000 over the SmartSource Water scandal, it now emerges that Housing 21 lost £250,000. Inside Housing, the newspaper for social housing providers, says SmartSource Water was like a “pyramid scheme” which has left several housing associations among creditors facing millions of pounds of […]
Hanover housing association faces mutiny at Leonard Hackett Court
August 1, 2014 By
– House manager’s flat sold for £105,000, with £15,000 paid into reserve fund – Unexplained ‘goodwill payments’ over management disputes – Hanover addresses disastrous £500,000 loss in Smartsource Water – Former executives say ‘it wasn’t our fault’ – Grumbling over exclusive Hurlingham Club beano for Hanover staff Residents at Leonard Hackett Court, in Bournemouth, […]
Why are housing associations exempt from Freedom of Information Act?
July 10, 2014 By
Why are housing associations exempt from Freedom of Information Act? Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation has received inquiries concerning a disastrous investment by the Hanover housing association of £500,000 in Smartsource Water. The supplier offered 8.3 per cent “guaranteed savings and price protection” to consumers, but it went bust in October last year. Some Hanover […]
Exit fees: what to do after the OFT/Tchenguiz deal
October 1, 2012 By
OFT website outlining the agreement is here http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2012/77-12 After a three-year investigation, the Office of Fair Trading finally expressed its view earlier this month that exit fees on sale were “likely” to be unfair … but that they still need to be paid. The announcement came in the form of a deal with the Tchenguiz […]
OFT promises ‘substantive announcement’ on exit fees in August
July 19, 2012 By
A letter to a Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation activist reveals that the Office of Fair Trading, whose seemingly interminable investigation into exit fees has lasted three years, will be making a “substantive announcement” in August. The news comes in a letter of July 11 from Martin Harvey, of the “Retirement Homes Investigation Team”. But […]
