August 2014

You may recall the consultation in which many of us took part.

The Government's response is now finally published on the DCLG (Dept of Communities and Local Gov) website under housing, see attached report. DCLG has come up partially with the goods.

From 2015/16, Local Authority leaseholders will be capped at £15000 in London (and £10000 outside) for major works within a 5 year period as long as:

1) The leaseholder lives at the flat at the time works start and its their principal residence and home

And

2) If their local authority landlord has received an eligible public grant from 2015/16 onwards. Obvioulsy the big question is what constitutes an eligible public grant.

The report does provide additional guidelines in support of leaseholders eg re giving access to summaries of Tribunal decisions, recognition of tenants associations, more information on what it means to be a leaseholder before purchase, etc.

Our current understanding is that LB of Haringey has not applied for such grants (Decent Homes Backlog Fund) from 2015/16. This means that the cap is not currently applicable to Haringey leaseholders. This situation may change. We at HLCG will continue to monitor the situation.

Important - Help To Keep An Eye On Homes For Haringey!

The Residents Scrutiny Panel is recruiting. The Scrutiny Panel is a fully independent and completely resident-led
body that holds Homes for Haringey to account by checking and challenging what they do, ensuring that HfH improve their services for residents.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interactive, competency-based recruitment event on Saturday, 13 September 2014.

For an application form email governance.team@homesforharingey.org or call 020 8489 4667.

The application deadline is Friday, 19 September 2014