Today's most viewed
| ECHO NEWS | |  | | | | | | | | FEATURES | | | | | | | SOUTHEND UNITED | | | | HEALTH | | | | | | | COMING UP IN YOUR ECHO | |
|
|
|
Council homes Catch-22 may mean two-year wait
 |
| Mess - Debbie Paul is disgusted with the state of her home in Hornby Avenue |
FAMILIES living in council housing across Southend could be waiting two more years before £60million of improvements are made to their homes.
The borough's housing stock is run by South Essex Homes, although the council still owns the properties.
South Essex Homes took over the running of the former council homes in October 2005 and was told that it needed to achieve a two-star rating from the Audit Commission to get £60million of Government funding.
But a report from the commission says the council is unlikely to achieve the decent homes standard by 2010.
South Essex Homes spokeswoman Lynsey Stephenson was more hopeful.
She said: "South Essex Homes has been making strides in our performance following our one star inspection last year.
"Our next inspection is in due in November and we are confident we are on target to achieve our two star status which will unlock the funding to meet the decent homes standard."
The inspectors report said there were problems with rent arrears and maintenance.
It said: "The council and South Essex Homes are working in partnership through a joint improvement plan to improve the existing housing stock and overall performance.
"The public housing stock is reasonable and energy efficiency is better than average, although remaining challenges include the rising level of rent arrears and dissatisfaction with repairs and maintenance."
Mark Flewitt, Southend councillor responsible for housing, said the council was working with South Essex Homes to achieve the two star rating as soon as possible.
He said: "The release of the £60million which is available once a two-star rating is achieved will mean a great deal to the quality of life for all our tenants and we hope to be at this level very soon."
I found a rat when I moved in
A MUM who has complained about the quality of her council house is dismayed it could be another two years before money is released for repairs.
Debbie Paul, 50, moved to Southend from Basildon but has been unable to live in her two-bedroom home because of damp. She has been staying with friends until repairs are carried out.
Miss Paul said: "They just seem to be penny-pinching all the time. It's not good enough. It's very bad management. When I looked at the house it was OK. But when I came to move in there was a rat there. It was horrible."
South Essex Homes spokeswoman Lynsey Stephenson said: "South Essex Homes has been in continuous dialogue with the resident, who is also receiving compensation.
"We are currently in the process of agreeing the extent of the work that needs to be carried out and this is all currently on schedule."
1:53pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 2:11pm Wed 7 May 08
Not meaning to sound mean but maybe if the people living in these houses took better care of them this wouldn't be a problem. Im not saying everyone is the same but there does seem to be a distinct lack of respect for the council property near me. The houses are modern but look scruffy due to neglect. It's not hard adding a lick of paint or doing general repairs to guttering people! Just because you dont own it, doesn't make it someone else's problem. It is a privilege living there, not a right!
Not meaning to sound mean but maybe if the people living in these houses took better care of them this wouldn't be a problem. Im not saying everyone is the same but there does seem to be a distinct lack of respect for the council property near me. The houses are modern but look scruffy due to neglect. It's not hard adding a lick of paint or doing general repairs to guttering people! Just because you dont own it, doesn't make it someone else's problem. It is a privilege living there, not a right!
Posted by: The Vicar, Dewsbury Moor Estate, Basildon on 2:33pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote:
Not meaning to sound mean but maybe if the people living in these houses took better care of them this wouldn't be a problem. Im not saying everyone is the same but there does seem to be a distinct lack of respect for the council property near me. The houses are modern but look scruffy due to neglect. It's not hard adding a lick of paint or doing general repairs to guttering people! Just because you dont own it, doesn't make it someone else's problem. It is a privilege living there, not a right! [/quote] But looking after the house would take precious time away from appearing on Jeremy Kyle, taking drugs, drinking white lightning, feeding the baby mcdonalds chicken nuggets, getting pregnant by the recently released violent offender who's just moved in next door, filling in bad back forms, smoking cannabis to relieve stress and going to the toilet in the middle of the living room! :)
Partyboy wrote:
Not meaning to sound mean but maybe if the people living in these houses took better care of them this wouldn't be a problem. Im not saying everyone is the same but there does seem to be a distinct lack of respect for the council property near me. The houses are modern but look scruffy due to neglect. It's not hard adding a lick of paint or doing general repairs to guttering people! Just because you dont own it, doesn't make it someone else's problem. It is a privilege living there, not a right!
But looking after the house would take precious time away from appearing on Jeremy Kyle, taking drugs, drinking white lightning, feeding the baby mcdonalds chicken nuggets, getting pregnant by the recently released violent offender who's just moved in next door, filling in bad back forms, smoking cannabis to relieve stress and going to the toilet in the middle of the living room! :)
Posted by: Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea on 2:35pm Wed 7 May 08
Spot on with your comments and views there Partyboy.
I fortunately or unfortunately (depends how you want to look at it) live nearby to the kursaal estate and the neglect i see from the tennents is astounding!
Why is it council tennents always seam to have a front garden occupied by rusting motorbikes and and old matress!
For gods sake you have been given housing for next to nothing, the least you could do is make a token effort to keep it clean and tidy!
Dont these people realise that their neglect adds to increases in council tax for the cost of its upkeep!
Spot on with your comments and views there Partyboy.
I fortunately or unfortunately (depends how you want to look at it) live nearby to the kursaal estate and the neglect i see from the tennents is astounding!
Why is it council tennents always seam to have a front garden occupied by rusting motorbikes and and old matress!
For gods sake you have been given housing for next to nothing, the least you could do is make a token effort to keep it clean and tidy!
Dont these people realise that their neglect adds to increases in council tax for the cost of its upkeep!
Posted by: APR, Benfleet on 2:45pm Wed 7 May 08
Of course, we shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush.
There are some (probably the majority of)tenants who do look after their properties. It's a shame they often live next door to a bunch of no hoper's
Of course, we shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush.
There are some (probably the majority of)tenants who do look after their properties. It's a shame they often live next door to a bunch of no hoper's
Posted by: Anonymous, Southend on 3:10pm Wed 7 May 08
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?
Posted by: Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea on 3:38pm Wed 7 May 08
"elitist" i take that as a compliment, cheers!
oh and by the way, sitting at my desk in my office, at work.
just one more thing, if the complaining council tennents went to work then their wouldnt be a story here would there!
"elitist" i take that as a compliment, cheers!
oh and by the way, sitting at my desk in my office, at work.
just one more thing, if the complaining council tennents went to work then their wouldnt be a story here would there!
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 3:45pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Anonymous[/bold] wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?[/quote] Actually, Im sitting in my nice posh office, looking out over the gherkin with not a council house in sight so get back in your box and crack open another bottle of white lightning..
Anonymous wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?
Actually, Im sitting in my nice posh office, looking out over the gherkin with not a council house in sight so get back in your box and crack open another bottle of white lightning..
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 3:45pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Anonymous[/bold] wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?[/quote] Actually, Im sitting in my nice posh office, looking out over the gherkin with not a council house in sight so get back in your box and crack open another bottle of white lightning..
Anonymous wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?
Actually, Im sitting in my nice posh office, looking out over the gherkin with not a council house in sight so get back in your box and crack open another bottle of white lightning..
Posted by: Anonymous on 3:53pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Peter Pantsless[/bold] wrote:
<b> "elitist" i take that as a compliment, cheers!
oh and by the way, sitting at my desk in my office, at work.
just one more thing, if the complaining council tennents went to work then their wouldnt be a story here would there!</b>[/quote] You're not helping your case by not knowing the proper uses of "their" and "there".
Peter Pantsless wrote:
<b> "elitist" i take that as a compliment, cheers!
oh and by the way, sitting at my desk in my office, at work.
just one more thing, if the complaining council tennents went to work then their wouldnt be a story here would there!</b>
You're not helping your case by not knowing the proper uses of "their" and "there".
Posted by: Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea on 3:55pm Wed 7 May 08
WoW! what a come back, you got me there!
give yourself a pat on you back and crack open a can of stella to celebrate!
WoW! what a come back, you got me there!
give yourself a pat on you back and crack open a can of stella to celebrate!
Posted by: Linda, Basildon on 4:05pm Wed 7 May 08
Firstly Peter Pantsless, I do hope you are on your coffee break and not posting in work time! Secondly to all the negative comments, my mother is 86yrs old and is a tenant(that's how it is spelt Peter)of Southend council.She has no motorbike or mattress on her front lawn, just well mown grass and neat flower beds.South Essex Homes fitted her a new kitchen recently even though she was happy with the old one.Apparently it was an improvement.If one of the many "fitters" had possessed a spirit level or even a decent pair of spectacles it might have been better.Before you make sweeping judgements, stop and think who you may be offending,after all, I don't assume that everyone who works in an office can't spell!
Firstly Peter Pantsless, I do hope you are on your coffee break and not posting in work time! Secondly to all the negative comments, my mother is 86yrs old and is a tenant(that's how it is spelt Peter)of Southend council.She has no motorbike or mattress on her front lawn, just well mown grass and neat flower beds.South Essex Homes fitted her a new kitchen recently even though she was happy with the old one.Apparently it was an improvement.If one of the many "fitters" had possessed a spirit level or even a decent pair of spectacles it might have been better.Before you make sweeping judgements, stop and think who you may be offending,after all, I don't assume that everyone who works in an office can't spell!
Posted by: devil's Advocate, boozledon on 4:09pm Wed 7 May 08
Here we go again! Just good natured banter eh?
You really love to ram it up people worse off than yourselves don't you? Yes there are a high proportion of no-lives in council houses, but you talk about the tenants doing it themselves? Perhaps you could spare some time from your busy "office work?"(gazing at the wally/gherkin) to point out how this lady is going to deal with the dampness in her house, more especially if it is rising! Of course, I don't doubt that most of you could just throw money at it to fix it, but, being as you put most "working people" out of collar, took their money for the iron gates on your property and the two Mercedes in your twin garage, put Maggie in power and created the "independent" woman with her Quickie divorces, you must take some of this responsibility on yourselves! Perhaps the government should think about grants for some of the poorest of these people and purchase detached houses in better off areas like say, Thorpe Farm (Bay). This would allow some of these people to learn how nice life could be sharing your housing Estates!
Here we go again! Just good natured banter eh?
You really love to ram it up people worse off than yourselves don't you? Yes there are a high proportion of no-lives in council houses, but you talk about the tenants doing it themselves? Perhaps you could spare some time from your busy "office work?"(gazing at the wally/gherkin) to point out how this lady is going to deal with the dampness in her house, more especially if it is rising! Of course, I don't doubt that most of you could just throw money at it to fix it, but, being as you put most "working people" out of collar, took their money for the iron gates on your property and the two Mercedes in your twin garage, put Maggie in power and created the "independent" woman with her Quickie divorces, you must take some of this responsibility on yourselves! Perhaps the government should think about grants for some of the poorest of these people and purchase detached houses in better off areas like say, Thorpe Farm (Bay). This would allow some of these people to learn how nice life could be sharing your housing Estates!
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 4:37pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]devil's Advocate[/bold] wrote:
Here we go again! Just good natured banter eh? You really love to ram it up people worse off than yourselves don't you? Yes there are a high proportion of no-lives in council houses, but you talk about the tenants doing it themselves? Perhaps you could spare some time from your busy "office work?"(gazing at the wally/gherkin) to point out how this lady is going to deal with the dampness in her house, more especially if it is rising! Of course, I don't doubt that most of you could just throw money at it to fix it, but, being as you put most "working people" out of collar, took their money for the iron gates on your property and the two Mercedes in your twin garage, put Maggie in power and created the "independent" woman with her Quickie divorces, you must take some of this responsibility on yourselves! Perhaps the government should think about grants for some of the poorest of these people and purchase detached houses in better off areas like say, Thorpe Farm (Bay). This would allow some of these people to learn how nice life could be sharing your housing Estates! [/quote] Firstly, If you read my post I was not branding all council house tenants with the same brush. Merely stating that a proportion of them do take their housing for granted and treat it like dirt. You cannot deny this is a problem, especially in the Vange and Kursaal areas. As for the ladies damp problem, maybe it would not have become such a problem if the previous tenant gave a ****? If it was that bad that she could not move in it must have been there for an age!
I would also love to take some time out from my busy worklife to help deal with problems and decorating etc, especially for the elderly and unable but unfortunately this country needs higher earners to pay large sums of tax to support social housing and benefits or the economy would collapse and where would we be then? And just a further note, I was far too young to have voted for Thatcher and my modest flat definitely does not have iron gates. But I am proud of what I have and work **** hard for it. Maybe other people in society should try having the same attitude!
devil's Advocate wrote:
Here we go again! Just good natured banter eh? You really love to ram it up people worse off than yourselves don't you? Yes there are a high proportion of no-lives in council houses, but you talk about the tenants doing it themselves? Perhaps you could spare some time from your busy "office work?"(gazing at the wally/gherkin) to point out how this lady is going to deal with the dampness in her house, more especially if it is rising! Of course, I don't doubt that most of you could just throw money at it to fix it, but, being as you put most "working people" out of collar, took their money for the iron gates on your property and the two Mercedes in your twin garage, put Maggie in power and created the "independent" woman with her Quickie divorces, you must take some of this responsibility on yourselves! Perhaps the government should think about grants for some of the poorest of these people and purchase detached houses in better off areas like say, Thorpe Farm (Bay). This would allow some of these people to learn how nice life could be sharing your housing Estates!
Firstly, If you read my post I was not branding all council house tenants with the same brush. Merely stating that a proportion of them do take their housing for granted and treat it like dirt. You cannot deny this is a problem, especially in the Vange and Kursaal areas. As for the ladies damp problem, maybe it would not have become such a problem if the previous tenant gave a ****? If it was that bad that she could not move in it must have been there for an age!
I would also love to take some time out from my busy worklife to help deal with problems and decorating etc, especially for the elderly and unable but unfortunately this country needs higher earners to pay large sums of tax to support social housing and benefits or the economy would collapse and where would we be then? And just a further note, I was far too young to have voted for Thatcher and my modest flat definitely does not have iron gates. But I am proud of what I have and work **** hard for it. Maybe other people in society should try having the same attitude!
Posted by: dave turner on 4:41pm Wed 7 May 08
Devils Advocate said we like to ram it up people worse off than themselves.
When I was out of work in 1955 I got 6 months unemployment which did not cover my living costs for the period of 6 months then it automatically STOPPED.
So you did the other thing and found employment a word not in many peoples vocabulary don't write about those people not well enough to work because they are on Disability allowance due to being either drug addicts or /and alcoholics, especially when the nanny state wants to mother them.
Devils Advocate said we like to ram it up people worse off than themselves.
When I was out of work in 1955 I got 6 months unemployment which did not cover my living costs for the period of 6 months then it automatically STOPPED.
So you did the other thing and found employment a word not in many peoples vocabulary don't write about those people not well enough to work because they are on Disability allowance due to being either drug addicts or /and alcoholics, especially when the nanny state wants to mother them.
Posted by: Marshwalker, Shoeburyness on 4:42pm Wed 7 May 08
Unfortunatly some of us have no option than to live in Council housing. After working for 45 years, being made redundant 4 times, having to give up two homes on mortgage, because of the former. To keep employment to earn my pension I had take two Jobs with tied houseing. Lost pension funds to employers going into liquidation. Now force to live in council sheltered houseing because all the hard work I did in the past has taken its toll. I would to see how some of the former will feel when they get into their 60's. By the way you are very fortunate if you can afford to buy you own home on mortgage nowadays, My son had to move to the Midlands to find affordable housing.
Unfortunatly some of us have no option than to live in Council housing. After working for 45 years, being made redundant 4 times, having to give up two homes on mortgage, because of the former. To keep employment to earn my pension I had take two Jobs with tied houseing. Lost pension funds to employers going into liquidation. Now force to live in council sheltered houseing because all the hard work I did in the past has taken its toll. I would to see how some of the former will feel when they get into their 60's. By the way you are very fortunate if you can afford to buy you own home on mortgage nowadays, My son had to move to the Midlands to find affordable housing.
Posted by: Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea on 4:43pm Wed 7 May 08
Linda, no need to be on a coffee break, would only have to report myself to myself!
i work and study hard so that i dont have to rely on handouts.
Maybe thats a concept many in council tenancy dont grasp?
I base my opinions on what i see driving past the Woodgrange/Kursaal estate to and from work each day...
Underage drinking, unlincenced vehilcles/motorbikes
, pregnant teenagers pushing twin pushchairs, tattooed chavs with can of special brew in one hand and staff/pitbull type dog in other, piles of rubbish overflowing onto streets.
Oh, nearly forgot to mention all the ladies of the night that seem to appear around dusk (i wonder if that means some of the council properties are being used as brothals too?)
One thing we seam to agree on that, yes it is all Thatchers fault!(maybe not for the same reasons though)
Linda, no need to be on a coffee break, would only have to report myself to myself!
i work and study hard so that i dont have to rely on handouts.
Maybe thats a concept many in council tenancy dont grasp?
I base my opinions on what i see driving past the Woodgrange/Kursaal estate to and from work each day...
Underage drinking, unlincenced vehilcles/motorbikes
, pregnant teenagers pushing twin pushchairs, tattooed chavs with can of special brew in one hand and staff/pitbull type dog in other, piles of rubbish overflowing onto streets.
Oh, nearly forgot to mention all the ladies of the night that seem to appear around dusk (i wonder if that means some of the council properties are being used as brothals too?)
One thing we seam to agree on that, yes it is all Thatchers fault!(maybe not for the same reasons though)
Posted by: The Vicar, Basildon on 4:57pm Wed 7 May 08
Mr. Pantsless is right, I'm afraid.
Unfortunately when you do think of the biggest dumps in your area they are invariably council estates.
Look at all the money being wasted on Craylands. The majority of people there will just turn it straight back into a dump a year down the line. Why should we have to pay for such contemptuous actions?
Perhaps less money spent on lottery tickets and a Sky subscription and more on paint and paintbrushes.
Mr. Pantsless is right, I'm afraid.
Unfortunately when you do think of the biggest dumps in your area they are invariably council estates.
Look at all the money being wasted on Craylands. The majority of people there will just turn it straight back into a dump a year down the line. Why should we have to pay for such contemptuous actions?
Perhaps less money spent on lottery tickets and a Sky subscription and more on paint and paintbrushes.
Posted by: John on 6:32pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Anonymous[/bold] wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?[/quote] what's it to you?
Anonymous wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren't you at work?
what's it to you?
Posted by: Bob, esex on 7:00pm Wed 7 May 08
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite..
When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt...
you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite..
When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt...
you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.
Posted by: Silky, Rayleigh on 7:22pm Wed 7 May 08
As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes.
As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes.
Posted by: sam, essex on 7:36pm Wed 7 May 08
i love reading all these comments your all amazing nothing like a good banter to get everyone on thier high horse
i love reading all these comments your all amazing nothing like a good banter to get everyone on thier high horse
Posted by: Kim Gandy, Rayleigh on 8:00pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]sam[/bold] wrote:
i love reading all these comments your all amazing nothing like a good banter to get everyone on thier high horse [/quote] ...or knock 'em off it as the case may be, Sam.
I would LOVE to see what would happen if all the people who regularly post here were to meet in a pub one night.
I bet there'd be a few surprises in store.
SOME people here have me down as a horrible harridan, yet others who know me know I'm just a pussycat and very nice really.
On occasions when people who know of me have actually met and spoke to me, they are often surprised I don't have horns and a tail and am actually quite nice.
Really!
The Echo should organise such an event. Regular letters page writers should be invited too.
What an interesting evening that would be!
sam wrote:
i love reading all these comments your all amazing nothing like a good banter to get everyone on thier high horse
...or knock 'em off it as the case may be, Sam.
I would LOVE to see what would happen if all the people who regularly post here were to meet in a pub one night.
I bet there'd be a few surprises in store.
SOME people here have me down as a horrible harridan, yet others who know me know I'm just a pussycat and very nice really.
On occasions when people who know of me have actually met and spoke to me, they are often surprised I don't have horns and a tail and am actually quite nice.
Really!
The Echo should organise such an event. Regular letters page writers should be invited too.
What an interesting evening that would be!
Posted by: evilc, essex on 9:13pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Bob[/bold] wrote:
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite.. When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt... you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.[/quote] Bob
YOU ARE WRONG MATE!!
I would never expect the COUNCIL (namely us)to provide help.
Do as the immigrants do travel 1000's of miles to find work!!
We have far to many expectant lazy welfare scroungers!
Bob wrote:
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite.. When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt... you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.
Bob
YOU ARE WRONG MATE!!
I would never expect the COUNCIL (namely us)to provide help.
Do as the immigrants do travel 1000's of miles to find work!!
We have far to many expectant lazy welfare scroungers!
Posted by: evilc, essex on 9:15pm Wed 7 May 08
DIY
DIY
DIY
Posted by: Anon on 10:02pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Anonymous[/bold] wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren\'t you at work?[/quote] everyone is entitled to an opinion on here, a mum, student, a worker a person on the dole, anyone, so who are you to question what a person does. GET A LIFE.
Anonymous wrote:
To the elitist complaining commenters: this story just appeared on the site. It is an afternoon and a weekday. Now, why aren\'t you at work?
everyone is entitled to an opinion on here, a mum, student, a worker a person on the dole, anyone, so who are you to question what a person does. GET A LIFE.
Posted by: Jack, on my laptop on 10:53pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Silky[/bold] wrote:
As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes. [/quote] If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things.
Silky wrote:
As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes.
If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things.
Posted by: miserableoldgit, Benfleet on 1:03am Thu 8 May 08
I am very disappointed to see so many negative comments about the occupants of council, or more appropriately social housing.
There seems to be a general opinion that to live in this type of accomodation automatically means that you are a scounger, layabout etc.
Some of you really are supersillious aren't you?
Not everyone can be a high-flyer or receive an obscene wage. Many people have to exist on a pittance and they do the best that they can to survive. Not everyone has the skills to dig themselves out of the morass that they find themselves, and to look down on them can only serve to make their situation worse.
If there was a little more equality in this world, then everyone would be comfortably off and there would not be such a massive gap between the haves and have nots (which incidently is getting wider).
So many of this countries problems are caused by greed. Greed by individuals, greed by business & greed by those who govern us.
What we need is some compassion for those who often cannot help themselves.
I shall put the soapbox away now and get it out again later.
I am very disappointed to see so many negative comments about the occupants of council, or more appropriately social housing.
There seems to be a general opinion that to live in this type of accomodation automatically means that you are a scounger, layabout etc.
Some of you really are supersillious aren't you?
Not everyone can be a high-flyer or receive an obscene wage. Many people have to exist on a pittance and they do the best that they can to survive. Not everyone has the skills to dig themselves out of the morass that they find themselves, and to look down on them can only serve to make their situation worse.
If there was a little more equality in this world, then everyone would be comfortably off and there would not be such a massive gap between the haves and have nots (which incidently is getting wider).
So many of this countries problems are caused by greed. Greed by individuals, greed by business & greed by those who govern us.
What we need is some compassion for those who often cannot help themselves.
I shall put the soapbox away now and get it out again later.
Posted by: Confused on 1:12am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Bob[/bold] wrote:
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite.. When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt... you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.[/quote] [quote]moribund hemaphrodite[/quote]
Are you sure you know what that means?
Weirdo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!
Bob wrote:
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite.. When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt... you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.
moribund hemaphrodite
Are you sure you know what that means?
Weirdo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!
Posted by: evilc, essex on 6:53am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Jack[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Silky[/bold] wrote: As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes. [/quote] If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things. [/quote] Council tenants hate to admit the truth !But who pays for the administration costs alone employing Council employees to work on the housing Dept Or is there some dividing line in an office that says 'Oh you cannot do that job because that is a Council tenants payment' I do not think so !! also who clears up all the crap left about by SOME parasites on these estates Oh am I imagining it when I see Council employees,paid for by us rate payers and non benefit takers. unlike private property estates whose tenants truly have to pay a annual maintenance fee AND IT IS AN AWFUL LOT AND KEEPS GOING UP!!
Council Houses should be for the truly poor, the well off should be chucked out into private rentals market even if that means giving up their BMW's and Sky Television.
Them some of these houses could be put to better use for low paid income groups, which was the original purpose of Council Housing.
Having lived on an estate in younger years, everyone knew then and now who was taking the P155.
Jack wrote:
Silky wrote: As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes.
If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things.
Council tenants hate to admit the truth !But who pays for the administration costs alone employing Council employees to work on the housing Dept Or is there some dividing line in an office that says 'Oh you cannot do that job because that is a Council tenants payment' I do not think so !! also who clears up all the crap left about by SOME parasites on these estates Oh am I imagining it when I see Council employees,paid for by us rate payers and non benefit takers. unlike private property estates whose tenants truly have to pay a annual maintenance fee AND IT IS AN AWFUL LOT AND KEEPS GOING UP!!
Council Houses should be for the truly poor, the well off should be chucked out into private rentals market even if that means giving up their BMW's and Sky Television.
Them some of these houses could be put to better use for low paid income groups, which was the original purpose of Council Housing.
Having lived on an estate in younger years, everyone knew then and now who was taking the P155.
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 8:15am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Bob[/bold] wrote:
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite.. When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt... you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.[/quote] Actually Bob, It's a 3 bed flat. And Im sure I will be fine, but thanks for your concern anyway. Just incase though, can you tell me the name of your hostel so I can avoid the real idiots of society? thanks
Bob wrote:
Partyboy, you really are a self rightous arrogant moribund hemaphrodite.. When the credit crunch really hits you ,and you cant afford your mortage payments on your flash studio flat ..your employer sacks you ,because the company has gone bankrupt... you'll have to go grovelling to the council for a room in a hostel . Welcome to the real world..you vag.
Actually Bob, It's a 3 bed flat. And Im sure I will be fine, but thanks for your concern anyway. Just incase though, can you tell me the name of your hostel so I can avoid the real idiots of society? thanks
Posted by: grillo The Clown, Gherkin Towers on 8:30am Thu 8 May 08
I take it that those of you who had part of their homes funded by the taxpayer are not taking this opportunity to look down on others? (MIRAS Tax relief anyone?)
Or looking down on benefit scroungers while fiddling you tax return/expenses claims, or using the new NI loophole that nets you up to an extra £22 per month if your PAYE?
Or moaning, while claiming a pension and free bus pass? (Both of which are funded by the present tax contribution)
Maybe your claiming Child Tax Credits or Child Benefit?
Remember the parable about houses built on sand.
EvilC I know you live in the past, but the only people paying Rates are businesses, people pay Council Tax, Domestic rates were abolished in 1990?).
I always understood that we live in a society, that means we all have different talents to offer to the wider community. Some people's contribution earns more monetary reward while others get a job with a greater sense of personal satisfaction.
As for the people that are on the fiddle, I hope that they are all caught, prosecuted and sent to prison. But that has to include those people who fiddle taxes too,
For example:
B[italic]illions 'lost to tax avoidance'
A special unit has been set up to tackle the problem
About £10bn is being lost by the government each year to tax avoidance schemes, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
The figure is equal to almost 3p on the basic rate of income tax.
In a bid to tackle the issue, the HMRC has set up a special unit that will investigate such schemes.
But those accused of tax avoidance say they are doing nothing illegal and argue they are merely better at using the tax system than the HMRC is.
BBC Two's The Money Programme reports that the owner of BHS, Philip Green, and his family saved themselves nearly £300m last year by living partly in Monaco, where residents do not have to pay income tax.[/italic]
I take it that those of you who had part of their homes funded by the taxpayer are not taking this opportunity to look down on others? (MIRAS Tax relief anyone?)
Or looking down on benefit scroungers while fiddling you tax return/expenses claims, or using the new NI loophole that nets you up to an extra £22 per month if your PAYE?
Or moaning, while claiming a pension and free bus pass? (Both of which are funded by the present tax contribution)
Maybe your claiming Child Tax Credits or Child Benefit?
Remember the parable about houses built on sand.
EvilC I know you live in the past, but the only people paying Rates are businesses, people pay Council Tax, Domestic rates were abolished in 1990?).
I always understood that we live in a society, that means we all have different talents to offer to the wider community. Some people's contribution earns more monetary reward while others get a job with a greater sense of personal satisfaction.
As for the people that are on the fiddle, I hope that they are all caught, prosecuted and sent to prison. But that has to include those people who fiddle taxes too,
For example:
B
illions 'lost to tax avoidance'
A special unit has been set up to tackle the problem
About £10bn is being lost by the government each year to tax avoidance schemes, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
The figure is equal to almost 3p on the basic rate of income tax.
In a bid to tackle the issue, the HMRC has set up a special unit that will investigate such schemes.
But those accused of tax avoidance say they are doing nothing illegal and argue they are merely better at using the tax system than the HMRC is.
BBC Two's The Money Programme reports that the owner of BHS, Philip Green, and his family saved themselves nearly £300m last year by living partly in Monaco, where residents do not have to pay income tax.
Posted by: IT Nerd, Clown school on 9:25am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]grillo The Clown[/bold] wrote:
I take it that those of you who had part of their homes funded by the taxpayer are not taking this opportunity to look down on others? (MIRAS Tax relief anyone?) Or looking down on benefit scroungers while fiddling you tax return/expenses claims, or using the new NI loophole that nets you up to an extra £22 per month if your PAYE? Or moaning, while claiming a pension and free bus pass? (Both of which are funded by the present tax contribution) Maybe your claiming Child Tax Credits or Child Benefit? Remember the parable about houses built on sand. EvilC I know you live in the past, but the only people paying Rates are businesses, people pay Council Tax, Domestic rates were abolished in 1990?). I always understood that we live in a society, that means we all have different talents to offer to the wider community. Some people's contribution earns more monetary reward while others get a job with a greater sense of personal satisfaction. As for the people that are on the fiddle, I hope that they are all caught, prosecuted and sent to prison. But that has to include those people who fiddle taxes too, For example: B[italic]illions 'lost to tax avoidance' A special unit has been set up to tackle the problem About £10bn is being lost by the government each year to tax avoidance schemes, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The figure is equal to almost 3p on the basic rate of income tax. In a bid to tackle the issue, the HMRC has set up a special unit that will investigate such schemes. But those accused of tax avoidance say they are doing nothing illegal and argue they are merely better at using the tax system than the HMRC is. BBC Two's The Money Programme reports that the owner of BHS, Philip Green, and his family saved themselves nearly £300m last year by living partly in Monaco, where residents do not have to pay income tax.[/italic] [/quote] You're the last person in the world who needs to be preaching to anyone about acting decently, copy and paste boy.
grillo The Clown wrote:
I take it that those of you who had part of their homes funded by the taxpayer are not taking this opportunity to look down on others? (MIRAS Tax relief anyone?) Or looking down on benefit scroungers while fiddling you tax return/expenses claims, or using the new NI loophole that nets you up to an extra £22 per month if your PAYE? Or moaning, while claiming a pension and free bus pass? (Both of which are funded by the present tax contribution) Maybe your claiming Child Tax Credits or Child Benefit? Remember the parable about houses built on sand. EvilC I know you live in the past, but the only people paying Rates are businesses, people pay Council Tax, Domestic rates were abolished in 1990?). I always understood that we live in a society, that means we all have different talents to offer to the wider community. Some people's contribution earns more monetary reward while others get a job with a greater sense of personal satisfaction. As for the people that are on the fiddle, I hope that they are all caught, prosecuted and sent to prison. But that has to include those people who fiddle taxes too, For example: Billions 'lost to tax avoidance' A special unit has been set up to tackle the problem About £10bn is being lost by the government each year to tax avoidance schemes, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The figure is equal to almost 3p on the basic rate of income tax. In a bid to tackle the issue, the HMRC has set up a special unit that will investigate such schemes. But those accused of tax avoidance say they are doing nothing illegal and argue they are merely better at using the tax system than the HMRC is. BBC Two's The Money Programme reports that the owner of BHS, Philip Green, and his family saved themselves nearly £300m last year by living partly in Monaco, where residents do not have to pay income tax.
You're the last person in the world who needs to be preaching to anyone about acting decently, copy and paste boy.
Posted by: Sherry on 9:28am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]sam[/bold] wrote: i love reading all these comments your all amazing nothing like a good banter to get everyone on thier high horse [/quote] ...or knock 'em off it as the case may be, Sam. I would LOVE to see what would happen if all the people who regularly post here were to meet in a pub one night. I bet there'd be a few surprises in store. SOME people here have me down as a horrible harridan, yet others who know me know I'm just a pussycat and very nice really. On occasions when people who know of me have actually met and spoke to me, they are often surprised I don't have horns and a tail and am actually quite nice. Really! The Echo should organise such an event. Regular letters page writers should be invited too. What an interesting evening that would be![/quote] I'll go, you will recognise me, i'm the posh totty, Basildon babe (thinks they've made good), minge munching lesbian, municiple housing scum, snob, stuck up Essex girl, and an insult to my gender.
Kim Gandy wrote:
sam wrote: i love reading all these comments your all amazing nothing like a good banter to get everyone on thier high horse
...or knock 'em off it as the case may be, Sam. I would LOVE to see what would happen if all the people who regularly post here were to meet in a pub one night. I bet there'd be a few surprises in store. SOME people here have me down as a horrible harridan, yet others who know me know I'm just a pussycat and very nice really. On occasions when people who know of me have actually met and spoke to me, they are often surprised I don't have horns and a tail and am actually quite nice. Really! The Echo should organise such an event. Regular letters page writers should be invited too. What an interesting evening that would be!
I'll go, you will recognise me, i'm the posh totty, Basildon babe (thinks they've made good), minge munching lesbian, municiple housing scum, snob, stuck up Essex girl, and an insult to my gender.
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 9:38am Thu 8 May 08
Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.
Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.
Posted by: The Vicar, Basildon on 9:39am Thu 8 May 08
I'll go if Grillo goes.
I'm sure even he would put differences aside and have a glass of whiskey with me. :)
I'll go if Grillo goes.
I'm sure even he would put differences aside and have a glass of whiskey with me. :)
Posted by: Sherry on 9:45am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote:
Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.[/quote] Yes it's me, and all the things i was called on here ;(
Partyboy wrote:
Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.
Yes it's me, and all the things i was called on here ;(
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 9:51am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Sherry[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote: Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.[/quote] Yes it's me, and all the things i was called on here ;([/quote] You shouldn't take it to heart... Just look what Bob the Nob has called me above. Im sure these people wouldn't have the guts to call you these things to your face... Anyway, I think everyone meeting would be a laugh! Maybe Kim Gandy could be the cure to my insomnia ;) Only kidding Kim.
Sherry wrote:
Partyboy wrote: Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.
Yes it's me, and all the things i was called on here ;(
You shouldn't take it to heart... Just look what Bob the Nob has called me above. Im sure these people wouldn't have the guts to call you these things to your face... Anyway, I think everyone meeting would be a laugh! Maybe Kim Gandy could be the cure to my insomnia ;) Only kidding Kim.
Posted by: A Ratepayer on 2:56pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]evilc[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Jack[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Silky[/bold] wrote: As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes. [/quote] If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things. [/quote] Council tenants hate to admit the truth !But who pays for the administration costs alone employing Council employees to work on the housing Dept Or is there some dividing line in an office that says 'Oh you cannot do that job because that is a Council tenants payment' I do not think so !! also who clears up all the crap left about by SOME parasites on these estates Oh am I imagining it when I see Council employees,paid for by us rate payers and non benefit takers. unlike private property estates whose tenants truly have to pay a annual maintenance fee AND IT IS AN AWFUL LOT AND KEEPS GOING UP!! Council Houses should be for the truly poor, the well off should be chucked out into private rentals market even if that means giving up their BMW's and Sky Television. Them some of these houses could be put to better use for low paid income groups, which was the original purpose of Council Housing. Having lived on an estate in younger years, everyone knew then and now who was taking the P155.[/quote] Here here. Annual Means testing should be compulsory for anyone wanting / in a Council house. If they can afford to finance a decent car, have Sky etc then they can afford to pay more rent and should be forcably moved to private rentals. Council Housing should be a safety net for the truly unfortunate - but it has become a lifestyle choice for many who don't want to better themselves.
evilc wrote:
Jack wrote: Silky wrote: As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes.
If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things.
Council tenants hate to admit the truth !But who pays for the administration costs alone employing Council employees to work on the housing Dept Or is there some dividing line in an office that says 'Oh you cannot do that job because that is a Council tenants payment' I do not think so !! also who clears up all the crap left about by SOME parasites on these estates Oh am I imagining it when I see Council employees,paid for by us rate payers and non benefit takers. unlike private property estates whose tenants truly have to pay a annual maintenance fee AND IT IS AN AWFUL LOT AND KEEPS GOING UP!! Council Houses should be for the truly poor, the well off should be chucked out into private rentals market even if that means giving up their BMW's and Sky Television. Them some of these houses could be put to better use for low paid income groups, which was the original purpose of Council Housing. Having lived on an estate in younger years, everyone knew then and now who was taking the P155.
Here here. Annual Means testing should be compulsory for anyone wanting / in a Council house. If they can afford to finance a decent car, have Sky etc then they can afford to pay more rent and should be forcably moved to private rentals. Council Housing should be a safety net for the truly unfortunate - but it has become a lifestyle choice for many who don't want to better themselves.
Posted by: Jack on 2:58pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]evilc[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Jack[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Silky[/bold] wrote: As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes. [/quote] If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things. [/quote] Council tenants hate to admit the truth !But who pays for the administration costs alone employing Council employees to work on the housing Dept Or is there some dividing line in an office that says 'Oh you cannot do that job because that is a Council tenants payment' I do not think so !! also who clears up all the crap left about by SOME parasites on these estates Oh am I imagining it when I see Council employees,paid for by us rate payers and non benefit takers. unlike private property estates whose tenants truly have to pay a annual maintenance fee AND IT IS AN AWFUL LOT AND KEEPS GOING UP!! Council Houses should be for the truly poor, the well off should be chucked out into private rentals market even if that means giving up their BMW's and Sky Television. Them some of these houses could be put to better use for low paid income groups, which was the original purpose of Council Housing. Having lived on an estate in younger years, everyone knew then and now who was taking the P155.[/quote] evilc you should call yourself the idiot. I have seen it explained to you time and again that EVERYTHING to do with housing is paid out of rents. The system is ringfenced, admin, repairs everything, that is the LAW. Have you got that clear now clive. ps if you dont beleive it ask anyone who works in the Housing department, and stop repeateing your poisonous ignorant vitriolic rants. Pps I am not a tenant, I used to be a housing officer until I found a job with more cash.
evilc wrote:
Jack wrote: Silky wrote: As someone who was employed as a building surveyor by a local authority for a number of years I do know a little about this kind of situation. First of all, most older tenants, and I stress most, were fine but some of the younger ones were awful. Some, and I stress some, single mums with dreadful aggressive boyfriends who would destroy everything they were given then disappear. Doors smashed and kitchen units destroyed was normal routine. Most of the "damp" problems were, in fact, condensation caused by their refusal to take advice from those who know about these things, which is mainly caused by lack of ventilation. In other words, open your windows occasionally. I once had someone three floors up who swore he had rising damp because of the black mould on his bathroom wall. Needless to say his window hadn't been opened for years. Now you know where your council tax goes.
If you are telling the truth then you should know that it's all paid for out of rental income, not Council Tax. Housing is run as a completely separate deparment to the rest of the Council and has to pay for itself. Seems more likely to me that you worked for an outside contractor as Council employees would know these things.
Council tenants hate to admit the truth !But who pays for the administration costs alone employing Council employees to work on the housing Dept Or is there some dividing line in an office that says 'Oh you cannot do that job because that is a Council tenants payment' I do not think so !! also who clears up all the crap left about by SOME parasites on these estates Oh am I imagining it when I see Council employees,paid for by us rate payers and non benefit takers. unlike private property estates whose tenants truly have to pay a annual maintenance fee AND IT IS AN AWFUL LOT AND KEEPS GOING UP!! Council Houses should be for the truly poor, the well off should be chucked out into private rentals market even if that means giving up their BMW's and Sky Television. Them some of these houses could be put to better use for low paid income groups, which was the original purpose of Council Housing. Having lived on an estate in younger years, everyone knew then and now who was taking the P155.
evilc you should call yourself the idiot. I have seen it explained to you time and again that EVERYTHING to do with housing is paid out of rents. The system is ringfenced, admin, repairs everything, that is the LAW. Have you got that clear now clive. ps if you dont beleive it ask anyone who works in the Housing department, and stop repeateing your poisonous ignorant vitriolic rants. Pps I am not a tenant, I used to be a housing officer until I found a job with more cash.
Posted by: Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea on 3:05pm Thu 8 May 08
A great idea A.Ratepayer, but no government in this country would ever have the balls to implement such common sense. You could feasibly imagine this happening in france, germany, etc, though couldnt you!
What ive often wondered about is how these benefit scroungers can still manage to afford to have the complete range of gold jewelry from Elizabeth Duke for her, and also he be tattooed from head to toe!
ok, so on second thoughts maybe it isnt too expensive to have the Elizabeth Duke range, but tattooing doenst come cheap!
A great idea A.Ratepayer, but no government in this country would ever have the balls to implement such common sense. You could feasibly imagine this happening in france, germany, etc, though couldnt you!
What ive often wondered about is how these benefit scroungers can still manage to afford to have the complete range of gold jewelry from Elizabeth Duke for her, and also he be tattooed from head to toe!
ok, so on second thoughts maybe it isnt too expensive to have the Elizabeth Duke range, but tattooing doenst come cheap!
Posted by: Sherry, At work :( on 3:17pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Sherry[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote: Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.[/quote] Yes it's me, and all the things i was called on here ;([/quote] You shouldn't take it to heart... Just look what Bob the Nob has called me above. Im sure these people wouldn't have the guts to call you these things to your face... Anyway, I think everyone meeting would be a laugh! Maybe Kim Gandy could be the cure to my insomnia ;) Only kidding Kim.[/quote] Thank you for questioning my first comment PB, i thought that was very sweet :)
I read what Bob wrote, seemed a bit extreme!
You know i would love to meet the person that called me an 'insult to my gender' OMG, all the cr@p i've been through in my life, and what i have achieved on my own, and for someone to say that :-/ Words couldn't express my anger!
Partyboy wrote:
Sherry wrote: Partyboy wrote: Is that you Sherry or someone being a nob? Just to state tho, Not guilty if it isn't you.
Yes it's me, and all the things i was called on here ;(
You shouldn't take it to heart... Just look what Bob the Nob has called me above. Im sure these people wouldn't have the guts to call you these things to your face... Anyway, I think everyone meeting would be a laugh! Maybe Kim Gandy could be the cure to my insomnia ;) Only kidding Kim.
Thank you for questioning my first comment PB, i thought that was very sweet :)
I read what Bob wrote, seemed a bit extreme!
You know i would love to meet the person that called me an 'insult to my gender' OMG, all the cr@p i've been through in my life, and what i have achieved on my own, and for someone to say that :-/ Words couldn't express my anger!
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 3:33pm Thu 8 May 08
Well there's only a couple of hours to go, the sun is shining, get yourself outside a bar and enjoy it :)
Well there's only a couple of hours to go, the sun is shining, get yourself outside a bar and enjoy it :)
Posted by: Sherry, At work :( on 4:15pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote:
Well there's only a couple of hours to go, the sun is shining, get yourself outside a bar and enjoy it :)[/quote] Yeah, it's a beautiful day :)
I'm at Mayfair though :( thank god it's only until tomorrow.
Partyboy wrote:
Well there's only a couple of hours to go, the sun is shining, get yourself outside a bar and enjoy it :)
Yeah, it's a beautiful day :)
I'm at Mayfair though :( thank god it's only until tomorrow.
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 4:45pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Sherry[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote: Well there's only a couple of hours to go, the sun is shining, get yourself outside a bar and enjoy it :)[/quote] Yeah, it's a beautiful day :) I'm at Mayfair though :( thank god it's only until tomorrow.[/quote] Get yourself back over the wharf... It'll be buzzing over there tonight! Remember, Thursday night is Party night in the Henry Addington!!! Woo hoo!
Sherry wrote:
Partyboy wrote: Well there's only a couple of hours to go, the sun is shining, get yourself outside a bar and enjoy it :)
Yeah, it's a beautiful day :) I'm at Mayfair though :( thank god it's only until tomorrow.
Get yourself back over the wharf... It'll be buzzing over there tonight! Remember, Thursday night is Party night in the Henry Addington!!! Woo hoo!
Posted by: Silky, Rayleigh on 7:09pm Thu 8 May 08
I would disagree with those who post on here that everything to do with council house repairs is financed through rents. First of all, a surveyor visiting a property which has been damaged by a tenant or friends would inform that tenant they would be charged for the repairs. Usually answered by a shrug of the shoulders and a reply that they cannot pay because they are on Social Security benefits. The surveyor would then ask the housing department for a reference number which would give no clue as to how the repairs would be funded. The surveyor would then be tied down for some considerable time with all the requisite paper work. The question is, how is all of this eventually paid for and out of what incredibly complicated council budgeting structure does the money come from?
I would disagree with those who post on here that everything to do with council house repairs is financed through rents. First of all, a surveyor visiting a property which has been damaged by a tenant or friends would inform that tenant they would be charged for the repairs. Usually answered by a shrug of the shoulders and a reply that they cannot pay because they are on Social Security benefits. The surveyor would then ask the housing department for a reference number which would give no clue as to how the repairs would be funded. The surveyor would then be tied down for some considerable time with all the requisite paper work. The question is, how is all of this eventually paid for and out of what incredibly complicated council budgeting structure does the money come from?
Posted by: evilc, essex on 8:12pm Thu 8 May 08
TO JACK
I also believe in fairies!!
Was you by any chance a guard for the Mr Hitler!
TO JACK
I also believe in fairies!!
Was you by any chance a guard for the Mr Hitler!
Posted by: Jack on 8:15pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Silky[/bold] wrote:
I would disagree with those who post on here that everything to do with council house repairs is financed through rents. First of all, a surveyor visiting a property which has been damaged by a tenant or friends would inform that tenant they would be charged for the repairs. Usually answered by a shrug of the shoulders and a reply that they cannot pay because they are on Social Security benefits. The surveyor would then ask the housing department for a reference number which would give no clue as to how the repairs would be funded. The surveyor would then be tied down for some considerable time with all the requisite paper work. The question is, how is all of this eventually paid for and out of what incredibly complicated council budgeting structure does the money come from? [/quote] I WAS RIGHT! You ARE, or were, employed by an outside contractor. Who said anything about whether the tenant or you needs to know who pays for repairs? Who do you think pays then? The fairies? In the case of deliberate damage some councils do try to charge/recover the costs from tenants but apart from those RARE exceptions EVERYTHING is paid for from the rents, as any Council employee would know. Please engage brain before leaving meaningless comments please.
Silky wrote:
I would disagree with those who post on here that everything to do with council house repairs is financed through rents. First of all, a surveyor visiting a property which has been damaged by a tenant or friends would inform that tenant they would be charged for the repairs. Usually answered by a shrug of the shoulders and a reply that they cannot pay because they are on Social Security benefits. The surveyor would then ask the housing department for a reference number which would give no clue as to how the repairs would be funded. The surveyor would then be tied down for some considerable time with all the requisite paper work. The question is, how is all of this eventually paid for and out of what incredibly complicated council budgeting structure does the money come from?
I WAS RIGHT! You ARE, or were, employed by an outside contractor. Who said anything about whether the tenant or you needs to know who pays for repairs? Who do you think pays then? The fairies? In the case of deliberate damage some councils do try to charge/recover the costs from tenants but apart from those RARE exceptions EVERYTHING is paid for from the rents, as any Council employee would know. Please engage brain before leaving meaningless comments please.
Posted by: Jack on 8:21pm Thu 8 May 08
What kind of sick perverted tw@t are you evilc? It is LAW that all Council Housing deepartments are ringfenced. That means they must be entirely self supporting. No money goes in except from housing rents and no money goes out, for example for repairs or admin or officers time, that is not paid for from the rental income. The ONLY exception are the odd rare ocassions when a tenant has to pay for damage they have done themselves, but that does not happen very often. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT LAME BRAIN.
What kind of sick perverted tw@t are you evilc? It is LAW that all Council Housing deepartments are ringfenced. That means they must be entirely self supporting. No money goes in except from housing rents and no money goes out, for example for repairs or admin or officers time, that is not paid for from the rental income. The ONLY exception are the odd rare ocassions when a tenant has to pay for damage they have done themselves, but that does not happen very often. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT LAME BRAIN.
Posted by: THE TRUTH on 8:25pm Thu 8 May 08
Forgot to take your medication again clive? Better go see matron now before you get put in the naughty boy room again. Bye.
Forgot to take your medication again clive? Better go see matron now before you get put in the naughty boy room again. Bye.
Posted by: Alan Longford, in my office on 8:38pm Thu 8 May 08
evilc why do you keep leaving comments about Council Housing Depts when you clearly know absolutely nothing about how they work?
evilc why do you keep leaving comments about Council Housing Depts when you clearly know absolutely nothing about how they work?
Posted by: Silky, Rayleigh on 8:55pm Thu 8 May 08
Jack says :- I WAS RIGHT! You ARE, or were, employed by an outside contractor. Who said anything about whether the tenant or you needs to know who pays for repairs? Who do you think pays then? The fairies? In the case of deliberate damage some councils do try to charge/recover the costs from tenants but apart from those RARE exceptions EVERYTHING is paid for from the rents, as any Council employee would know. Please engage brain before leaving meaningless comments please.
You could be wrong on who employed me but that is not important. The real issue is who pays. And I can tell you that the rare occasion you talk about in my experience was pretty **** often. I also think that the tax/council tax payer, such as me, is entitled to know where the money comes from to pay for deliberate damage when a tenant is on benefits. And what about the legal expenses when cases go to court? And why are you so aggressive? Are you hiding something? I find your answer quite offensive as I am only asking a civil question, surely you can answer in a civil manner. I might even accept your answer if you did. The only times I know of when the repair costs were recovered from damaged properties was when the decent tenants admitted it was accidental.
Jack says :- I WAS RIGHT! You ARE, or were, employed by an outside contractor. Who said anything about whether the tenant or you needs to know who pays for repairs? Who do you think pays then? The fairies? In the case of deliberate damage some councils do try to charge/recover the costs from tenants but apart from those RARE exceptions EVERYTHING is paid for from the rents, as any Council employee would know. Please engage brain before leaving meaningless comments please.
You could be wrong on who employed me but that is not important. The real issue is who pays. And I can tell you that the rare occasion you talk about in my experience was pretty **** often. I also think that the tax/council tax payer, such as me, is entitled to know where the money comes from to pay for deliberate damage when a tenant is on benefits. And what about the legal expenses when cases go to court? And why are you so aggressive? Are you hiding something? I find your answer quite offensive as I am only asking a civil question, surely you can answer in a civil manner. I might even accept your answer if you did. The only times I know of when the repair costs were recovered from damaged properties was when the decent tenants admitted it was accidental.
Posted by: Jack on 9:31pm Thu 8 May 08
OK Jack, I thought you might have been that loony evilc. I accept you are genuine and apologise if I went over the top a bit.
The answer to your question remains the same. Repairs can only be paid for from one source - by Law - and that source is the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), the account that all the rent money is paid into. That means that when tenants damage their homes and refuse to pay it is all the other tenants who have to bear the cost.
EVERYTHING to do with Council Housing has to be paid from the HRA. EVERYTHING! I can't say it any more clearly than that. And no monies go into the HRA except the rent money collected. The system is completely self contained.
Must just add that when you were working for the Council sub contractors they may have sent you to all the funny ones as statistically the number of tenants who cause the damage themselves is miniscule. The vast majority of tenants are decent people who look after their homes like anyone else (most are actually elderly). There are of course exceptions and many Councils (although they would deny this) tend to put all the awkward ones in the same place which may give a false impression.
All the best.
ps try the Quote button next time.
OK Jack, I thought you might have been that loony evilc. I accept you are genuine and apologise if I went over the top a bit.
The answer to your question remains the same. Repairs can only be paid for from one source - by Law - and that source is the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), the account that all the rent money is paid into. That means that when tenants damage their homes and refuse to pay it is all the other tenants who have to bear the cost.
EVERYTHING to do with Council Housing has to be paid from the HRA. EVERYTHING! I can't say it any more clearly than that. And no monies go into the HRA except the rent money collected. The system is completely self contained.
Must just add that when you were working for the Council sub contractors they may have sent you to all the funny one
