CALL FOR FULL RETROSPECTIVE REFUND FOR ALL HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE HAD OVERCLADDING DONE

All factored homeowners who have paid thousands of pounds for overcladding will want to know that factored homeowners in Milton, Germiston, Govanhill, Bridgeton and the Gorbals are being offered free overcladding by private utility companies (energy companies).  No disrespect to the factored homeowners who are getting free overcladding, but there is a massive social injustice here in that you, as a factored homeower, have been forced to pay thousands of pounds for your overcladding, and to this end we have written letters demanding that all GHA factored homeowners who had overcladding carried out are given a full retrospective refund of all the money they paid.

It is very important you, as a factored homeowner who have paid thousands of pounds for overcladding, come to our public meeting this Thursday, 28 March, at 7 p.m. at the Jury Inn Hotel, Jamaica Street.  If we are to be successful to get the refund, we need you to come to the meeting to give us your support.

INJUSTICE FOR HOMEOWNERS

Between 2005 and 2012, many thousands of GHA factored homeowners have had to pay between £4,000 and £13,000 for overcladding and re-roofing.  Many of these homeowners are still paying instalments over a maximum period of 5 years.  It has come to our notice at the last meeting that GHA factored homeowners and factored homeowners from other housing associations have been offered overcladding, heating systems and new windows without payment.  It has come to our knowledge that the private utility companies are using their massive profits to pay for these home improvements.  This is grossly unfair to the GHA factored homeowners, who have paid out many thousands of pounds over the past few years for the same home improvements.  In particular, the private utlility companies have offered to pay for free overcladding, heating systems and new windows at the following locations:  14 and 16 Eglington Court, homes on Reed Street, Tullis Street, Landressie Street and Muslin Street in Bridgeton; homes in G21 Germiston, including Dinwoodie Street; etc., including Hickman Street, Govanhill, etc.  How many other GHA factored homeowners are being offered free overcladding etc. when the vast majority of factored homeowners have paid out many thousands of pounds?  If you, as a factored homeowner, have paid out thousands of pounds and know of offers of free overcladding to other factored homeowners, then we want to know.  Therefore, please come to our next meeting on Thursday 28 March 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Jury Inn Hotel, Jamaica Street, Glasgow, or phone Sean Clerkin on 07948-010959.

Sean Clerkin contacted the Scottish Housing Regulator this week on the above issue, and was told this is now common practice.  Mr Clerkin as Chairperson of the Glasgow Homeowners’ Campaign, will be writing to the Scottish Housing Regulator to ask to intervene, to demand answers from GHA and other housing associations.  It seems very clear that a great injustice has been perpetrated against many factored homeowers in the City of Glasgow.

RECENT MEETINGS WITH GHA LTD.

Glasgow Housing Association forced homeowners to have meetings to decide on future factoring arrangements when, in actual fact, the homeowners only complained about the factoring management fee.  Suffice to say, a strong unified presence from the Office Bearers helped to win the day, as all homeowners will stay with the GHA as their factor. 

Homeowners have received letters within the last few days outlining charges for the next financial year.  Sean Clerkin has been in touch with GHA and is expecting clarification of what these exact charges will mean in terms of an increase.  Further information will follow.