CHELMSFORD: Chelmer Village residents criticise landlords' maintenance
RESIDENTS of an estate in Chelmer Village are fed up with their landlords after they claim a lack of housing maintenance has left them with massive heating bills.
Thirty occupants of Swan Housing Group's estate on Eglinton Drive, Rennie Place and Clements Close, have signed a petition to get their windows replaced and improved insulation fitted.
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The residents of the terraced houses say they have put up with, amongst other things, mould on the windows, draughts and leaking window panes – even though the houses were only built ten years ago.
However, they claim that not only have Swan ignored their petition, but have ignored other complaints.
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Sue Yew, mother of two, lives in Rennie Place and says that she asked Swan Housing to replace her insulation.
"They hired a contractor, but they just put a small square of insulation around the loft, not even covering the whole floor."
Occupant Tracy Clarke of Rennie Place, said: "My little one's been under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital since birth, he's got water on the brain, and he's permanently got coughs and colds.
"My gas bills are £500, and every time I get a bill I have to pay.
"Even today I need to have the heating on, but I've had to turn it off because I can't afford the bills.
"The mould on the windows I have to wipe down every day, and I have complained but nothing has been done.
"When I first moved in, Swan Housing got things sorted straight away, but now they don't."
Susan Davies of Clements Close said she intends to pay to have her home investigated using thermal imaging during winter to prove the massive amount of heat being lost.
Swan Housing said it has received two formal complaints from residents regarding mould, and has "agreed steps" with residents aimed at solving problems.
Swan said in a statement: "All windows were refurbished using a correct paint system.
"We have received resident feedback following these works which give positive comments; none made any reference to the problems now being raised."
Swan does not accept that the same issues exist in houses on all three streets.
"Properties at the estate already meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard ... the existing timber framed double glazed windows will be replaced with UPVC units before they reach the end of their life cycle."
Residents claim the apportioned "life cycle" of the windows means that they won't be replaced until 2016, but for many in Chelmer Village, they just want a quick end to deteriorating windows, high bills and chilly rooms.
Comments
by Rave, London
Thursday, November 18 2010, 3:32PM
“Below ia another web site about Swan Housing. More dissatisfied Swan Housing residents.
http://swanhousingdissatisfied.blogspot.com/”
by Rave, London
Tuesday, November 16 2010, 4:33PM
“George Galloway was right to mention Swan Housing in an Early Day Motion.
Residents are not happy with Swan Housing. See below the link about Swan Housing.
http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=3936”
by Rave Broker, London
Tuesday, November 16 2010, 4:28PM
“George Galloway was right to include Swan Housing in an Early Day Motion. Resdents are not happy with Swan Housing. See Link below about Swan Housing.
http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=3936”
by Gary, Maldon
Saturday, September 25 2010, 11:18AM
“''but for many in Chelmer Village, they just want a quick end to deteriorating windows, high bills and chilly rooms''.
Don't we all? The difference is that private owners have to pay for everything themselves, not expect everyone else to foot the bill.”
by Carl, Ex Chelmsford,now Yorkshire
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:11PM
“H...erm evidence itself that "care in the community programmes" are not indeed failsafe....”
by Carl, Ex Chelmsford,now Yorkshire
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:11PM
“H...erm evidence itself that "care in the community programmes" are not indeed failsafe....”
by George, Chelmsford
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 4:52PM
“....and what rights are those exactly ? Getting a gas bill you may like ?
If you dont like the place you are renting ...then MOVE !”
by Carl, Ex Chelmsford,now Yorkshire
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 12:47PM
“Oh of course George....hey why don't we just keep going with the thoughtless comments and suggest they all simply win the lottery as well. People have a reason for renting and whatever the cost of rent,they deserve standards friend.
Would you move from laid down roots,keep mvg your kids to new schools,and upheave your life everytime you didn't get what you'd paid for? No,of course not. People must stand up for their rights as these people are rightly doing.”
by George, Chelmsford
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 3:52PM
“These Swan Housing homes are all rented to tenants at cheap rents, no ?
If you are unhappy with your rented house, just move ....why should Swan worry about your heating bills ...?”