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Colchester: 'Why won't they fix our windows'
Residents today demanded action following problems with rats, rotting window frames and overgrown weeds.
And one tenant has claimed he has waited for a year to get rotting windows at his housing association flat replaced.
Residents at the block of flats in Frank Clater Close, Colchester, say they have spotted rats in overgrown weeds, brambles and shrubbery behind the property, have rotting window frames and battle to keep mould at bay.
Councillor for the St Anne's area Mike Hogg said he asked for answers in a full council meeting as to why much-needed refurbishments were not being carried out in February.
Fellow ward councillor Helen Chuah said one resident had been paying throughout the winter for heating that was "disappearing out of the rotting windows."
The tenant, who did not want to be named, said he had approached landlords Colchester Borough Homes a year ago.
"Someone came to see me a year ago and said something would be done to clear the overgrown area behind the fences here, but so far nothing has been done," he said.
A Colchester Borough Homes spokesman said: "We appreciate being told that there is a problem in the area. We will now investigate the situation."
Karen Loweman, Colchester Borough Homes' director of housing management, said: "We are looking into the condition of the windows at the flats in Frank Clater Close. We would encourage all our tenants to look after their gardens properly. We also offer people advice on what they can do to cut condensation - and mould - in their homes. We think it is important that tenants understand their responsibilities for their homes."
10:50am Friday 9th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: D Poole, Rowhedge on 3:45pm Sat 10 May 08
they won't fix the windows because its costs the council money, simple as
they won't fix the windows because its costs the council money, simple as
Posted by: Feisty CBC, Colchester on 10:05pm Sat 10 May 08
They are quick enough to take rent and council tax though
They are quick enough to take rent and council tax though
Posted by: Mandy, Colchester on 10:31am Sun 11 May 08
Telephone your complaints to Tim Young he is Chairman of Colchester Borough Homes 01206 795343. Although there are strong rumours that Colchester Borough Homes doesn't have any money for these repairs and neither does Colchester Borough Council after they bailed out Colchester Borough Homes nearly £4 million pounds after the coack up on the Decent Homes project.
Finally does anyone know how the Lib Lab partnership is goingto work when they were saying just last week that they couldn't trust each other?
Telephone your complaints to Tim Young he is Chairman of Colchester Borough Homes 01206 795343. Although there are strong rumours that Colchester Borough Homes doesn't have any money for these repairs and neither does Colchester Borough Council after they bailed out Colchester Borough Homes nearly £4 million pounds after the coack up on the Decent Homes project.
Finally does anyone know how the Lib Lab partnership is goingto work when they were saying just last week that they couldn't trust each other?
Posted by: Private Tenant, Shrub End on 3:53pm Sun 11 May 08
In comparison to private renting, council house tenants get a very good deal, so they should'nt really moan about this.
Also, the council tax, we all pay, is not meant to pay for repairs on council owned property.
I think the answer is to increase the rent on council houses (Col Borough Homes) to a more realistic level, but I don't suppose those in council housing will want to pay any more!
If they did pay a realistic rent there might be enough cash available to fund these essential repairs.
Those of us in privately rented houses do not stand a chance of getting on the council housing list and I am paying £700.00 a month for a 3 bed semi, without a garage.
In comparison to private renting, council house tenants get a very good deal, so they should'nt really moan about this.
Also, the council tax, we all pay, is not meant to pay for repairs on council owned property.
I think the answer is to increase the rent on council houses (Col Borough Homes) to a more realistic level, but I don't suppose those in council housing will want to pay any more!
If they did pay a realistic rent there might be enough cash available to fund these essential repairs.
Those of us in privately rented houses do not stand a chance of getting on the council housing list and I am paying £700.00 a month for a 3 bed semi, without a garage.
Posted by: norris cole, col on 4:00pm Sun 11 May 08
There are plenty of flats available to rent in Colchester. Anyone not happy with the condition of their council house are free to give notice and rent somwhere else.
There are plenty of flats available to rent in Colchester. Anyone not happy with the condition of their council house are free to give notice and rent somwhere else.
Posted by: Spam, Colchester on 7:34pm Sun 11 May 08
Why not get a job and pay for it yourself?
Why not get a job and pay for it yourself?
Posted by: dee brooks, colchester on 11:05pm Sun 11 May 08
are tenants allowed to make repairs? or would there be some kind of health and safety issue
are tenants allowed to make repairs? or would there be some kind of health and safety issue
Posted by: funny, colchester on 8:30pm Mon 12 May 08
[quote][bold]Private Tenant[/bold] wrote:
In comparison to private renting, council house tenants get a very good deal, so they should'nt really moan about this. Also, the council tax, we all pay, is not meant to pay for repairs on council owned property. I think the answer is to increase the rent on council houses (Col Borough Homes) to a more realistic level, but I don't suppose those in council housing will want to pay any more! If they did pay a realistic rent there might be enough cash available to fund these essential repairs. Those of us in privately rented houses do not stand a chance of getting on the council housing list and I am paying £700.00 a month for a 3 bed semi, without a garage.[/quote] Ahh poor you without a garage, my heart bleeds for you. I live in a council house on shrub end and i work full time, and i love the council rent lol
Private Tenant wrote:
In comparison to private renting, council house tenants get a very good deal, so they should'nt really moan about this. Also, the council tax, we all pay, is not meant to pay for repairs on council owned property. I think the answer is to increase the rent on council houses (Col Borough Homes) to a more realistic level, but I don't suppose those in council housing will want to pay any more! If they did pay a realistic rent there might be enough cash available to fund these essential repairs. Those of us in privately rented houses do not stand a chance of getting on the council housing list and I am paying £700.00 a month for a 3 bed semi, without a garage.
Ahh poor you without a garage, my heart bleeds for you. I live in a council house on shrub end and i work full time, and i love the council rent lol
Posted by: welfare state, colchester on 11:12am Sat 17 May 08
Tenants cannot expect the Council to do their gardening for them. This is for the residents to look after and to be dealt with if they don't. Expecting the welfare system to bail them out with everything is a lazy attitude. Residents could pay someone private to get the job done. Tax payers are not responsible for footing the bill of their gardens.
Tenants cannot expect the Council to do their gardening for them. This is for the residents to look after and to be dealt with if they don't. Expecting the welfare system to bail them out with everything is a lazy attitude. Residents could pay someone private to get the job done. Tax payers are not responsible for footing the bill of their gardens.
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