Islington Conservatives write to ODPM over leaseholder repair bills

Chris Skidmore has written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to request that HfI's high repair bills be investigated. He has also called for a cap to be placed on bills that the vulnerable- pensioners, those on income support- will not be able to pay.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to ask if the ODPM might investigate the charges that Islington leaseholders are being threatened with by Homes for Islington. I understand that many of the buildings need basic repair work, but the plans HfI have in place go far beyond the Decent Homes Standard.

I have received many complaints from leaseholders who will simply not be able to pay these bills. I would ask the ODPM to consider if a cap might be put in place. At the same time, I have received further complaints from leaseholders whose properties have already undergone repair, but to a very insufficient standard.

I am very concerned that the same companies that committed this shoddy work will continue to let down those who are paying too much for their repairs. Homes for Islington does not seem to have a competitive tendering process, and I wonder if you might be able to investigate how this could be put into place.


Yours sincerely,




Chris Skidmore
Chairman
Islington North Conservatives

Islington Conservatives supporting important new leaseholder websites

Islington Conservatives are proud to advertise any local initiatives that are helping to make our community of Islington a better place to live.

Two new websites, for the Highbury Quadrant Leaseholders Association and the the Spa Green Estate, have been set up. Please take a look in our links section. These highlight the disgusting state of disrepair Islington Council have allowed their housing stock to fall into over the past thirty years. Now they are attempting to pass the buck onto leaseholders. Some are being forced to pay astronomical amounts for works they will simply not be able to pay for.

The council should face up to a problem that is of their own making. Leaseholder groups such as these are raising awareness, and we will do everything we can to support these worthy schemes.

We will be attending leaseholder meetings this week at King's Park estate and at Sparsholt Rd. If you know of any leaseholder meetings that we can attend, please let us know. We are here to listen and lobby on your behalf.

Welcome!

Welcome to Islington Conservatives new blog site. Here you will be able to access details of what we have been up to, the local projects that we support, our policies for a better Islington, and all relevant local news.

This site is here for you. We want to know how we can make Islington a better place to live- but we need your help to do this. If we can help you or your local community please get in touch. Any ideas are very welcome: we are here to listen. Post your comments here, or contact us at islingtonnorth@yahoo.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Chris Skidmore
Chairman, Islington North