Swanley pensioners say 'health and safety gone mad' over West Kent Housing doormat and plant pot ban threat
10:00am Saturday 25th August 2012 in News By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter
Victor Watson and fellow Panter's residents vent their frustration to News Shopper
FOR the elderly residents of a sheltered housing complex in Swanley the threatening letters were the last straw.
In July tenants of the Panter's in Hextable received notes from manager West Kent Housing Association stating pot plants and flower baskets outside first floor flats could be banned completely if strict rules were not followed.
These rules allowed only two baskets and two pots per flat, with restrictions on size and how far tubs could extend from the wall.
The letter signed-off with a chilling warning of a "zero tolerance policy" should the housing officer find there was "still a problem" on her next visit.
The officer has still not appeared despite pledging to inspect properties again on July 20, with a number of residents refusing to follow edicts which include the banning of doormats as fire hazards.
Panter's resident Ron Day, 78, said: "It's health and safety gone mad. I think they want it to look like a barracks."
Residents are also angry over West Kent's alleged failure to fix the one small washing machine serving all 40 flats, despite it breaking down more than five weeks ago.
When News Shopper visited we were told a plumber had finally come the previous day but lacked the parts to get the ageing washer working again.
Tenants say they have been left to scrub dirty clothes in their own sinks.
"We are vulnerable people here. What they are doing is despicable," said Victor Watson, 81, who lives at the Panter's with his housebound wife Irene, 80.
Other complaints include the loss of live-in wardens, with access to West Kent officers cut to two hours during a Monday coffee morning - when residents even have to bring their own coffee.
Residents claim response times when emergency chords are pulled can be more than 10 minutes.
On one occasion around three weeks ago Mr Day and Mr Watson say they had to use a hacksaw to cut the door chain of one lady in her 90s who had fallen in her flat.
Paramedics attended but were unable to gain access.
On calling West Kent, who are based in Sevenoaks 13 miles away, residents say they were told the handyman responsible for Panter's was "on holiday".
When contacted by News Shopper, West Kent Housing issued this response: "We are committed to providing safe, decent homes for our residents.
"Clearly, they are unhappy and we will contact them directly early next week to try and resolve the problems."
Comments(8)
Oldchap
says...
1:54pm Sat 25 Aug 12
ksc wrote:I think we all know that pensioners are considered a soft touch
Ok West Kent Housing we all understand the "school bully mentality" but please if you really have to flex your "I'm in charge and don't you forget it" muscles", then flex them with people who deserve it you know the ones, loud neighbours, drunk yobs, fly tippers,rent dodgers, work dodgers etc. You know it's a cheap shot picking on pensioners but you still do it, you say the rules allow for two baskets and two pots per flat, ok then what are the rules on wrecked cars in your front garden or burnt out motorbikes on your front lawn, I've seen a few of them around the area but maybe the owners are a little more frightening than an 80 year old hence you steering clear of that lot. You could always try going after dribbling babies next, have you seen the mess those little beggars make.
Housing associations wouldn't dare upset then ones who use gardens as tips, have loud parties, scream abuse at anyone who objects
Virtual-Monster
says...
2:56pm Sat 25 Aug 12
If you don't like the Landlords rules bugger off and live elsewhere!
ksc
says...
4:03pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Virtual-Monster wrote:Under the same T's and C's West Kent Housing would have agreed to supply a WORKING washing machine for the use of the residence, so for five weeks West Kent have reneged on the same terms and conditions they (and you apparently) expect the residence to abide by, but I suppose it's ok if it's that way around, is it ?
When you sign a tenancy agreement (or lease) you agree to comply with the covenants, terms and conditions or you lose the right to continue to occupy the accommodation, which lets remember DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU.
If you don't like the Landlords rules bugger off and live elsewhere!
Virtual-Monster
says...
4:41pm Sat 25 Aug 12
ksc wrote:If the provision of a working washing machine is explicitly included in the tenancy agreement or lease and the landlord fails to provide that, there are legal remedies available to the residents including a partial reduction in weekly housing charges.
Virtual-Monster wrote:Under the same T's and C's West Kent Housing would have agreed to supply a WORKING washing machine for the use of the residence, so for five weeks West Kent have reneged on the same terms and conditions they (and you apparently) expect the residence to abide by, but I suppose it's ok if it's that way around, is it ?
When you sign a tenancy agreement (or lease) you agree to comply with the covenants, terms and conditions or you lose the right to continue to occupy the accommodation, which lets remember DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU.
If you don't like the Landlords rules bugger off and live elsewhere!
The provision of social housing is heavily legislated to protect both the tenant and landlord.
Both parties have a duty to comply with the terms of a tenancy agreement as it is a legal contract between those parties.
As a foot note, often tenancy agreements do not include provision of ancillary items (such as a communal washing machine), these are provided as a courtesy by the landlord to supplement the tenants experience and so the tenants may not have any protection in law when / if failure occurs.
Oldchap
says...
7:15pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Virtual-Monster wrote:My point was that many people of non-pensionable age behave in an anti social way, yet no action is taken (I could give many examples were the front gardens are full of car parts & other scrap)
When you sign a tenancy agreement (or lease) you agree to comply with the covenants, terms and conditions or you lose the right to continue to occupy the accommodation, which lets remember DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU.
If you don't like the Landlords rules bugger off and live elsewhere!
Yet here we have pensioners threatened over flowers!
Virtual-Monster
says...
7:59pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Oldchap wrote:My point is that rented accommodation belongs to the OWNER whomsoever than may be and they have the right (within the parameters of legislation) to enforce the terms of the tenancy agreement.
Virtual-Monster wrote:My point was that many people of non-pensionable age behave in an anti social way, yet no action is taken (I could give many examples were the front gardens are full of car parts & other scrap)
When you sign a tenancy agreement (or lease) you agree to comply with the covenants, terms and conditions or you lose the right to continue to occupy the accommodation, which lets remember DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU.
If you don't like the Landlords rules bugger off and live elsewhere!
Yet here we have pensioners threatened over flowers!
If you choose to rent accommodation from a landlord you have to abide by the terms of the tenancy or go elsewhere.
You correctly observe that some landlords are less efficient at tackling (or in fact even defining) Anti-Social Behaviour so it may appear to be one rule for some and a different rule for others, but you have to understand that not all landlords have the same tenancy agreements and enforcement policies.
You cannot lump all social housing providers together and likewise you cannot lump all tenants together.
In this case the landlord is taking a reasonable stance to protect their assets and their tenants. It may appear harsh but at the end of the day the landlord is responsible for the safety of their tenants and their property.
I am sure that you and many others would soon be up in arms if in this case a elderly woman in an emergency (for example a fire) was rushing to leave the block, slipped on a mat or tripped over a plant pot and died.
If you want to seek an independent opinion about this, ask any firefighter do they think ANYTHING should ever be stored in a communal area. I know the answer and if you are honest, so do you!
PaulErith
says...
1:15pm Wed 29 Aug 12
Virtual-Monster wrote:I agree with you. Too many people seem to think they can do what they like. A tenancy agreement has terms and one has to abide by these, even if they seem a bit silly. One knows the terms before they sign.
Oldchap wrote:My point is that rented accommodation belongs to the OWNER whomsoever than may be and they have the right (within the parameters of legislation) to enforce the terms of the tenancy agreement. If you choose to rent accommodation from a landlord you have to abide by the terms of the tenancy or go elsewhere. You correctly observe that some landlords are less efficient at tackling (or in fact even defining) Anti-Social Behaviour so it may appear to be one rule for some and a different rule for others, but you have to understand that not all landlords have the same tenancy agreements and enforcement policies. You cannot lump all social housing providers together and likewise you cannot lump all tenants together. In this case the landlord is taking a reasonable stance to protect their assets and their tenants. It may appear harsh but at the end of the day the landlord is responsible for the safety of their tenants and their property. I am sure that you and many others would soon be up in arms if in this case a elderly woman in an emergency (for example a fire) was rushing to leave the block, slipped on a mat or tripped over a plant pot and died. If you want to seek an independent opinion about this, ask any firefighter do they think ANYTHING should ever be stored in a communal area. I know the answer and if you are honest, so do you!Virtual-Monster wrote: When you sign a tenancy agreement (or lease) you agree to comply with the covenants, terms and conditions or you lose the right to continue to occupy the accommodation, which lets remember DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU. If you don't like the Landlords rules bugger off and live elsewhere!My point was that many people of non-pensionable age behave in an anti social way, yet no action is taken (I could give many examples were the front gardens are full of car parts & other scrap) Yet here we have pensioners threatened over flowers!
ksc says...
12:30pm Sat 25 Aug 12