Islington Leaseholders AssociationTo find out when the next works are happening to your (ex-hfi – not partners) property – Please see the Capital Programme Update – Quarter 4 (which is on Pages 35 to 67 of the Consultative Panels Central Reports May 2012)
ILA
Islington Leaseholders Association
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(meeting in public)
Wednesday 13th June 2012, 7pm
Main Council Chamber, Islington Town Hall,
Upper Street N1
Agenda
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1/
Introduction and Annual General Meeting 2011-2012:
7pm-7.30pm
a) Chairs Report
b) Treasurers Report 2011-2012
c) Resolution regarding Audit of Accounts
d) Election of Directors/co-opted directors
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2/
Chair opens monthly meeting 7.30pm
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3/
Guest speaker: Ms Patricia Napier (Barrister) who has been advising leaseholders and acting for them on a Pro Bono basis. 7.35pm-8pm
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4/
Questions and answers from leaseholders 8pm-8.30pm
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5/
Any other business 8.30pm-9pm
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NP:- Please let other leaseholders know about this meeting especially those who do not have email or tweet / RT this event.thank you.
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Hosting the meeting:- Dr B.S. Potter Chairman ILA
Follow us on Twitter @ilaorguk
Like us on Face Book http://on.fb.me/mWzios
By JON DEAN Thursday, May 10, 2012
A woman was horrified when she found the council planned to charge her to replace the windows in her home – even though they were still covered under guarantee.
Vicki Leonard, 55, of Haslam Close, Islington, says the council had no idea about the warranty and was set to charge all the block’s residents for the work.
She called to protest, and says the council officer knew nothing about the 10-year-promise.
A spokesman for the council said: “The council retains guarantees for major works and we apologise that in this case there was an unacceptable delay in dealing with this request.” more
The LVT recently confirmed that it considers Islington council Major Works charges were not reasonably incurred, and that one roof had been replaced & charged for without any clear evidence of inspection by the council, and that leaseholders were entitled to expect that blocks were inspected before substantial costs were incurred.
The LVT upheld it original decision of Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12
The leaseholders concerned saved 10’s of thousands of pounds off their bills.
The council may still appeal again, but the real questions are why is the council wasting taxpayers money in making appeals rather than investigating its contractor(s) and staff responsible for the issues pointed out by the LVT ? and Is the Council going to obtain a full refund for the overcharging from its contractors so all tenants affected can benefit from the LVT decision , or are LBI to pass the cost back onto tenants and leaseholders in increased service charges in future bills ?
You can read the refusal statement LVT Refusal statement 26 April 2012
The LVT upheld it original decision of Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12 see below post LVT – Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12
If your a Leaseholder and you haven’t received your ILA spring 2012 newsletter yet, Please email us on “ilaorguk at hotmail.com” with your name and address and we’ll send you a newsletter.
One of the most important Leasehold Valuation Tribunal LVT decisions to date, from an Islington leaseholder’s perspective, was announced last week, (Merryweather court and Brennand court vs the mayor & burgess of Islington 29.3.12).
Please see the downloadable LVT decision pdf for details on the bill reductions, and to see how Islington leaseholders supported their claims before the LVT, plus the degree of detail they provide in evidence of shoddy workmanship, overcharging and gross mismanagement. LVT – Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12
Examples of the council overcharging identified by the LVT include roof works charges of £208,661 which were reduced to £50,000, i.e. £25,000 per block. and asbestos removal charges of £157,371 that the Tribunal reduced to reasonable expenditure of £15,737.
This is one example, where the Council has authorised expenditure without satisfying itself that the expenditure is really necessary, and it demonstrates what can be achieved when leaseholders have the courage to challenge the bills they are sent, and demand that council officers , councillors and their contractors are made accountable for their actions.”
Since the ILA can only supply ‘useful information’ on our web site, and not “advice”, as always, we suggest that you should obtain ‘professional independent legal advice’ before considering issuing such a challenge.
The Islington Gazette has reported that millions of pounds of public money could have been wasted.
The ILA has already lobbied Islington Council, and, both the leader of the council, and the chair of housing, in regard to applying the reductions obtained by Merryweather/Brennard Courts leaseholders to all leaseholders in the same contract, and insisted that the council also reclaim, on behalf of the public purse, all monies related to tenanted properties in the same contract. LVT – Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12
Please feel free to pass on to other leaseholders you think may be interested
Late News: The ILA understand that LBI intends to appeal the decision.
Wednesday 14 December 2011
Islington Town Hall Chambers
time
7pm – 9pm
Hosting the meeting Dr Brian Potter Chairman ILA
Please tell all leaseholders on your Estates and in Street
properties to attend especially those who do not have email.
Update your memberships here
Dr B.S. Potter ILA Chairman
w. ila.org.uk
t. @ilaorguk