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Sunday, 2 February 2014

In the Mix

Simon Wadsworth
To Me

14 Jan
Dear Ms Flores

Thank you for your email addressed to M Sweeney at One Housing Group, copied also to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

We are unsure as to why this has been sent to the HCA?

Firstly The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) became the social housing regulator on 1 April 2012.  A new independent Regulation Committee is responsible for regulation within the HCA.  The committee will set and oversee the Regulatory Framework, including the standards required of providers.
A copy of our framework can be found at:

The Role of the regulatory committee is to ensure that social housing continues to be available to current and future tenants and to support the supply of new homes and wider public benefits in a way that represents a fair deal for taxpayers.   The regulator will do this by:

•           Obtaining assurance that providers are governed effectively, financial viable, and focussed on value for money in relation to their social housing assets

•           Where providers are not meeting our economic standards, supporting them to address problems, and where necessary stepping in to ensure the social housing assets are protected

•           Facilitating new entrants to the sector, whilst ensuring they meet its standards and offer good value to the taxpayer

•           Supporting providers to secure private finance at competitive rates, by offering assurance to lenders and working with providers and lenders to develop the lending market

To help social housing tenants get a fair deal by:

•           Setting clear consumer standards for social housing tenants

•           When presented with evidence of serious harm or potential serious harm, addressing the issues quickly and effectively in relation to social housing tenants

So our role is one of primarily an economic regulator. The HCA as regulator does not have a statutory mandate to deal with complainants and cannot mediate in disputes between landlords and tenants or others. Providers have principal responsibility for dealing with, and being accountable for, complaints about their service, and the Tenant Involvement and Empowerment standard requires that they have clear and effective mechanisms for responding to tenant complaints. A tenant or other with a complaint against the landlord should raise it with the landlord in the first instance.

Therefore our role, regulatory remit and framework document relate to social housing and social housing tenants.  It is not clear as to what your relationship is with One Housing Group. If you are not a social housing tenant and the properties in question are not (they seem to be commercial properties) then it is unlikely your issues would fall within the role of the social housing regulator. I would advise in the first instance to review our regulatory framework document. If your matters relate to any commercial or business relationship with One Housing then you will need to continue with your own legal case with any breaches in the contractual agreement you have with them.

However for us to consider clearly what information you are bringing to the Regulator can you confirm the following:
Are you a social housing tenant, social housing leaseholder, commercial tenant or have a contractual agreement with One Housing?
Are you still a social housing tenant with One Housing Group?
From reading our regulatory framework what breaches of our standards to you believe has happened to you if you are a social housing tenant?

Once we have received this information we can assess your concerns more appropriately in relation to our role.

I hope this information assists you.

Regards

Simon Wadsworth 
Referrals and Regulatory Enquiries Advisor
Homes and Communities Agency
The Social Housing Regulator
1st Floor, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT
T: 0113 233 7170
Switchboard: 0300 1234 500
homesandcommunities.co.uk

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PROTECT - COMMERCIAL
From: Scarlet Maguire Gallery [mailto:scarletmaguire@yahoo.com]
Sent: 13 January 2014 15:34
To: lizzie.clifford@housing.org.uk; michelle.smith@housing.org.uk; msweeney@onehousinggroup.co.uk; Monique Jamera; editorial@camdennewjournal.co.uk; Z_mail
Subject: Par for the course - Fw: 106-108 Cromer Street shop availability

Dear Mick Sweeney,

When people come to my humble one bedroom flat that I have had since I was 19 years old fresh out of the care system, they say "I love your flat". I think, 'what is there to love' as they all say it.

When I walk down my street in Tonbridge Street I look at my two shops 'spaceshift' and 'Scarlet Maguire Gallery' and I see some sort of devastation of one of my two shops, somewhat reminiscent of some bombed out town in Northern Ireland, in the day, since it was actually given rent free to a tenant for a year to run almost like a joyrider into the ground, that people in the area used to be proud of in the same way as with my flat and they used to say "I love your shops".

So what am I doing right that has created so much wrong and what kind of a mind have I got to keep on fighting?

Should I just accept in these days of a lack of social justice, corruption and greed that this is all just par for the course? I don't think so... or we would all just be apathetic and accept a life times worth of financial ruination and effectively slavery with an ongoing acceptance of negative mental health born out of real situations and not voices in our head which thus far I am glad to say I have not experienced.

I have from 2008 to 2014 experienced however wrongful eviction for a single day late rent payment, been hauled through the county court for a period of two years, faced legal costs of £400,000, been misrepresented in full at the Court of Appeal, ignored in full by the Supreme Court and now am successfully in the European Court of Human Rights exercising my rights under Article 1 'right to protection of property' and Article 6 'right to a fair trial' and all this I might add I have done without any legal help as I was forced to get my justice by representing myself, which is I must add has been pretty much more than a full time job especially against the top Landlords and Tenants QC's in this country employed by the landlord One Housing Group.

There are a few things about my case that can be safely said;

1) I experienced flooding and leaks that came from the landlords properties that kept putting me out of business. During those times I was still forced to pay rent and business rates.

2) Even though I paid insurance to the landlord against any such incident occurring which would protect me from having to pay rent and compensate me in the event of these types of occurrences my rights conferred in the insurance policy were not exercised by my landlord.

My 10 years lease for 'spaceshift' runs out in April 2014 so I approached the landlord in December to say;


Dear Mick Sweeney,

Historically I am sure your intention was not to ill will me and I have no doubt that it was influenced by the purposes of the insurance company in saving money but nevertheless the deed has been done thus far effectively.

Bearing in mind intention, what do you want for the shop?

After all business is business and I am interested.

Mary Jo VF Flores

To which there was no reply.

I feel like a cat marking territory and generally know what is going on with those shops at all times. An estate agent moved in to 'Scarlet' and I happen to see him marking my shop as his new territory and sure enough, I find out as I always do, he wants it. So I approach him and say look mate, there is £400 pounds worth of copper on the bar, there is a grands worth of glass, there is four grands worth of new boiler and 13 radiators, five grand in wooden flooring laid throughout, apart from you and I no one has put in an interest and those assets are mine. I have just about kept my sanity whilst the last tenant ran the place down. He said to me 'well' and gave me that look as business has no morals, so I said well I will not be happy and "if I am put to fighting for my rights, I'll take this one back as well" maybe it was fate as I may have left him out of it but now I too want to put Scarlet back!

In competition law, the landlord should have replied. Yet another mistake I think Mr Sweeney!!! No justice, no peace, no matter how long it takes.

Jo Flores


spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
104-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7837 6680
mob: 07916 325037

On Friday, 13 December 2013, 12:37, Scarlet Maguire Gallery <scarletmaguire@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Mick Sweeney,

Historically I am sure your intention was not to ill will me and I have no doubt that it was influenced by the purposes of the insurance company in saving money but nevertheless the deed has been done thus far effectively.

Bearing in mind intention, what do you want for the shop?

After all business is business and I am interested.

Mary Jo VF Flores

spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
104-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7837 6680
mob: 07916 325037


Me
To Simon Wadsworth

14 Jan
Hi Simon,

I never forget a name.

The email is for your information at this stage.

I understand that the estate agent is signing for the property today and that does seem very in house. I also refer to policy in letting even of commercial property.
Your interest in public money being well spent as a body albeit a new one is of the place being trashed for a year rent free after all Camden handed over those properties in good faith and with contract issues in place to keep in repair and good governance.

I copy in an old email conversation I had with you before in case you have forgotten.


Alan Williams Snippet unavailable
3 Nov 2008
spaceshift Snippet unavailable
4 Nov 2008
Alan Williams Snippet unavailable
5 Nov 2008
spaceshift Snippet unavailable
5 Nov 2008
Alan Williams Snippet unavailable
5 Nov 2008
Simon Wadsworth Snippet unavailable
6 Nov 2008
Simon Wadsworth Snippet unavailable
7 Nov 2008
Me Snippet unavailable
7 Nov 2008
Simon Wadsworth
To Me
7 Nov 2008
I have again checked with our regulation team.  They have again stressed that the Housing Corporation is not the appropriate body to raise these matters with.  If you feel that their is a fire risk you should be raising it with the Health and Safety executive or Fire Department.  The Housing Corporation cannot assess if what you claim is a fire risk.  For your own issues your course of action is through a legal process.
If you are still dissatisfied with the service you have received from the Housing Corporation then please review our complaint booklet.  A copy is attached for you.  However this will address our service not to look again at your issues with One Housing Group.  Your complaint will be considered through stage 2 of our complaint process.
I can appreciate that this is not the response you were hoping for.  However our regulation team have reviewed your emails and given the appropriate advice for you to follow.
Again please except my apologies for your dissatisfaction.
Simon Wadsworth | Enquiries and Complaints Assistant
Housing Corporation | 1 Park Lane | Leeds | LS3 1EP
Tel: 0113 233 7170 | Fax: 0113 233 7101
Please note: From 1 December 2008, I will transfer to the Tenant Services Authority. From that date, my email address will be simon.wadsworth@tsa.gsx.gov.uk


From: Scarlet Maguire Gallery [mailto:scarletmaguire@yahoo.com]
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:10
To: Simon Wadsworth
Subject: RE: Building advice
As a commercial tenant the complaints procedure does not apply to me. However as a concerned member of the public pointing out a fire risk, I find your attitude appaulling.

 
spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
104-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7278 4404


--- On Fri, 11/7/08, Simon Wadsworth <Simon.Wadsworth@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk> wrote:
From: Simon Wadsworth <Simon.Wadsworth@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk>
Subject: RE: Building advice
To: "spaceshift" <info@spaceshift.co.uk>
Date: Friday, November 7, 2008, 3:04 PM
Thank you for your further email.
I am sorry to hear you are dissatisfied with my response.  However your emails were reviewed by our regulation team, who have advised you as appropriate to seek your own legal advice and One Housing Group's formal complaints process.
Simon Wadsworth | Enquiries and Complaints Assistant
Housing Corporation | 1 Park Lane | Leeds | LS3 1EP
Tel: 0113 233 7170 | Fax: 0113 233 7101
Please note: From 1 December 2008, I will transfer to the Tenant Services Authority. From that date, my email address will be simon.wadsworth@tsa.gsx.gov.uk


From: spaceshift [mailto:info@spaceshift.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:58
To: Simon Wadsworth
Cc: 'Jonathan (Councillor) Simpson'
Subject: RE: Building advice
Dear Simon,
 
Thank you for responding, I did wonder why Housing Corporation didn’t seem to have an interest when I am clearly whistle blowing to whom I believe to has the authority to force this housing association to protect its tenants be it residential or commercial lease holders of a national voluntary organisation.
 
It would seem however that Mick and Peter’s personal relationship is heavily protected.
 
QUOTE
 action that must be taken to protect the interests of the tenants-prima facie evidence of misconduct and mismanagement
 
QUOTE
am worried that the major leak that lasted 3 years in the electricity room (which in May 2008 was finally fixed), exposed that there were 12 water pipes in that common part electricity room. They now need to be sealed (exposed now for 6 months) in a watertight way. Despite me reporting it to the Camden New Journal on June 12th 2008, the fire brigade and the environmental health who both wrote to Mick Sweeney to pass to Oliver Barnett and Monique Jam era about the fire risk concerned, the repair is still outstanding.
 
QUOTE
Surely you are all aware that this is non-compliant with the Housing Act 1996 as well as a breach of para 23 (1) & (2) of schedule 1. This too is ‘Failure over time to address known or potential problems’ which is Housing Corporations own codes of conduct in assessing a housing associations regulatory codes, could have you under supervision for that as well as directors suspended.
 
At this stage I can only offer to show you the dangerous area. The UCH building is minutes walk from our commercial premises so perhaps you won’t find it too much trouble to come and have a look for yourselves, urgently or would it take a fire or a death to prompt any action.
 
My mobile is 07916 325037.
 
I must say Simon I am very shocked at your curt reply.
 
Jo Gavin
 
spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
104-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7278 4404
 
spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
106-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7278 4404
 


From: Simon Wadsworth [mailto:Simon.Wadsworth@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk]
Sent: 06 November 2008 11:49
To: info@spaceshift.co.uk
Cc: AW@onehousinggroup.co.uk
Subject: RE: Building advice
 
Thank you for the copies of emails that you have sent to the Housing Corporation enquiries email account.
 
This matter you have with One Housing Group is not within the remit of the Housing Corporation to get involved with.  Housing associations are independent bodies responsible for their own performance and management. This is a contractual matter that you need to seek resolution through your own solicitors or the Housing Groups own formal complaints process.  There is nothing further for the Corporation to add to this situation.
 
Simon Wadsworth | Enquiries and Complaints Assistant
Housing Corporation | 1 Park Lane | Leeds | LS3 1EP
Tel:0113 233 7170 | Fax: 0113 233 7101
 
Please note: From 1 December 2008, I will transfer to the Tenant Services Authority. From that date, my email address will be simon.wadsworth@tsa.gsx.gov.uk
We welcome your feedback
In accordance with our service standards the information provided should be despatched within 5 working days from receipt of request.
If you would like to provide us with any feedback on the information provided or any other area of our service, please email OtherEnquiries@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk or write to our enquiries and complaints team at the above address.
 
 


From: Alan Williams [mailto:AW@onehousinggroup.co.uk]
Sent: 05 November 2008 15:53
To: spaceshift
Cc: Enquiries ; Gareth Crawford; Oliver Barnett; msweeney@onehosinggroup.co.uk
Subject: RE: Building advice
Dear Jo Gavin
 
I note your comments. The issue of repairs and maintenance are dealt with by Oliver Barnett and no doubt he is acting on these.
 
Regards
 
Alan Williams
Group Development Director
 
one housing group
Tel: 020 7428 4212
Fax: 020 7428 4297
awilliams@onehousinggroup.co.uk
www.onehousinggroup.co.uk


From: spaceshift [mailto: info@spaceshift.co.uk ]
Sent: 05 November 2008 15:42
To: Alan Williams
Cc: enquiries@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk; Gareth Crawford; Oliver Barnett; msweeney@onehosinggroup.co.uk
Subject: RE: Building advice
 
Dear Alan,
Thank you for making your position suddenly so clear.
We have always paid the rent please check your finance dept Clarence Smith, who called me the day after the shops were first repossessed (29th Oct 08) to say cheque’s had regularly got lost recently due to reception losing them.
Yesterday we were broken into again even though we handed in proof of payment Friday 31st Oct to your finance dept.
Today we tried to serve an Injunction at around 8.30 am this morning by handing a Court Order to the One Housing Group Chief Executive Mick Sweeney after shaking his hand, and stating that this was to prevent you breaking into our shops again, but Mr Sweeney’s reply was: “I don’t wanna know about that” and walked away. We then served the injunction by handing the paperwork to Oliver Barnett and were given back keys to new locks by this afternoon, Copy of Injunction is attached.
To date we, as commercial leaseholders, have always paid the rent, put tens of thousands of pounds worth of refurbishment into both properties and have taken much care to provide the local community and young people with art and opportunities over these last 9 years.
Unfortunately we have had to face an incredibly long series of problems to do with the building, whose entire responsibility for solving was that of CHA. The response we received from various departments at CHA was slow and mostly inefficient, which resulted in causing us a lot of business interruption and serious consequential losses. CHA, and more recently One Housing Group have simply tried to continuously hide their initial and ongoing incompetence.
Further to hiding flaws within your organization and trying to buy time, the latest illegal cowboy tactics employed by your Commercial Property Assistant Director Oliver Barnett over the last week can only put further shame to your name: you, or whoever is making decisions here, are now simply trying to make us disappear, in the hope clearly that this will make any outstanding issues around disrepair vanish at the same time! How convenient!
Ignoring a problem, denying responsibility, passing on the problem over to your Insurance, refusing to repair insured damages, using dishonest and blatantly illegal tactics to threaten, blackmail and finally evict your tenants, none of these have made the problem disappear, in actual fact it has just resulted in getting matters much worse, for us obviously but for you too.
I think it is time for CHA and One Housing Group to finally face their responsibilities as landlords and to stop behaving like bullies. I think it may be time for the Housing Corporation, namely Peter Dixon, to step in and deal with this matter on a personal basis, don’t you?
Would you please address the current issues of major dis-repair immediately since we have been unable to trade for 11 months and 6 months respectively on each shop, while having to pay rent!
Jo Gavin.
Director
spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
106-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7278 4404
 


From: Alan Williams [mailto:AW@onehousinggroup.co.uk]
Sent: 05 November 2008 08:00
To: spaceshift
Cc: enquiries@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk ; Gareth Crawford; Oliver Barnett
Subject: RE: Building advice
 
Dear Jo Gavin
 
I am aware that One Housing Group has taken possession of its commercial premises that were leased/rented to you for non-payment of rent. It seems therefore that your grievances stem from that action and you should pursue them in an appropriate way.
 
I am unaware of the status of repairs at the premises but, as you are no longer the tenant, they are clearly no longer a matter for you.
 
Gareth Crawford is the Director responsible for our commercial portfolio and I can only refer you to him.
 
Alan Williams
Group Development Director
 
one housing group
Tel: 020 7428 4212
Fax: 020 7428 4297
awilliams@onehousinggroup.co.uk
www.onehousinggroup.co.uk


From: spaceshift [mailto: info@spaceshift.co.uk ]
Sent: 04 November 2008 21:42
To: Alan Williams
Cc: enquiries@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Building advice
 
Dear Alan,
 
Thank you for your reply. Gareth Crawford is and has been aware of some of the disrepair issues for some time and I have attempted to meet with him, Oliver and the local councillor Mr Jonathan Simpson many months ago about the ongoing danger to ourselves and the residents. Gareth and Oliver both stated that they would meet with my representative Jonathan Simpson but not with me the leaseholder and gave no good reason for this ridiculous teacher/pupil standpoint it was absolutely outrageous.
 
I am worried that I am not being given any advice and wet rot has been for years now growing off my ceiling from no natural or mechanical ventilation what so ever which poses a major structural question to repair, hence your advice, when in doubt go to the top man.
 
I am worried that the major leak that lasted 3 years in the electricity room (which in May 2008 was finally fixed), exposed that there were 12 water pipes in that common part electricity room. They now need to be sealed (exposed now for 6 months) in a watertight way. Despite me reporting it to the Camden New Journal on June 12th 2008, the fire brigade and the environmental health who both wrote to Mick Sweeney to pass to Oliver Barnett and Monique Jam era about the fire risk concerned, the repair is still outstanding.
 
Surely you are all aware that this is non-compliant with the Housing Act 1996 as well as a breach of para 23 (1) & (2) of schedule 1. This too is ‘Failure over time to address known or potential problems’ which is Housing Corporations own codes of conduct in assessing a housing associations regulatory codes, could have you under supervision for that as well as directors suspended. That However is nothing compared to residents or us shop owners burning to death.
 
I hope I can meet with you to discuss the association taking a lead in these ongoing matters of disrepair and to sort them out once and for all in a speedy manner.
 
Many Thanks
 
Jo Gavin.
 
 
spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
106-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7278 4404
 


From: Alan Williams [mailto:AW@onehousinggroup.co.uk]
Sent: 03 November 2008 15:56
To: spaceshift
Subject: RE: Building advice
 
I have referred your e-mail to Gareth Crawford, the Director of New Initiatives (the Director responsible for commercial premises). He will contact you shortly.
 
Regards
 
Alan Williams
Group Development Director
 
one housing group
Tel: 020 7428 4212
Fax: 020 7428 4297
awilliams@onehousinggroup.co.uk
www.onehousinggroup.co.uk


From: spaceshift [mailto: info@spaceshift.co.uk ]
Sent: 03 November 2008 15:07
To: Alan Williams
Cc: enquiries@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk
Subject: Building advice
 
Dear Alan,
 
I need your advice regarding a major structural problem I have at my commercial premises 106-108 Cromer Street .
 
I have previously tried and failed to receive any kind of advice and guidance from ‘One Housing Group’ and thought you may be able in your role to give me the advice I need.
 
I also want to write to Hugh Lake regarding,  action that must be taken to protect the interests of the tenants-prima facie evidence of misconduct and mismanagement but Joylin at his office is away, reception don’t have his number and Leila has not yet called me back.
 
I would like to make you aware that Oliver Barnett and I have a pointless relationship where he does not answer simple enquiries and takes actions that can only be seen as a violation of my rights;
 
Improper inducement to fix my floor 104 Cromer Street , costing £5,000 or he would double my rent. Then served a section 25 despite all the repairs.
 
Refusing to answer my letter stating he owes me £31,000.00 outstanding rent.
 
Serving me with notice to get rid of me as a tenant and then breaking into my shops.
 
I simply want repairs done and cannot deal with this bully who I am now taking to court.
 
Can you please call me back
 
Jo
 
 
 
 
 
spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
106-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7278 4404
 

Best

Mary Flores



spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
104-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7837 6680
mob: 07916 325037
Simon Wadsworth
To Me

14 Jan
Dear Ms Flores

Thank you for your clarification.

Although this will not assist you, our role as regulator has changed dramatically from 2008.  Under the new regulatory framework (link included in my last email)  we cannot get involved in matters concerning commercial properties.  If you would like to see further information on our role please see page 30 onwards of the framework. The issue of a ‘trashed property’ is a matter for the landlord and not for the regulator.  You may send emails regarding your situation to the HCA mail@homesandcommunities.co.uk however unless they are matters that demonstrate a breach of our standards in relation to social housing tenants then there is nothing further for the regulator to action.

I hope this clarifies our position.

Regards

Simon Wadsworth 
Referrals and Regulatory Enquiries Advisor
Homes and Communities Agency
The Social Housing Regulator
1st Floor, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT
T: 0113 233 7170
Switchboard: 0300 1234 500
homesandcommunities.co.uk




PROTECT - COMMERCIAL
Me
To Simon Wadsworth

14 Jan
Clearly, for now.

Thank you.
spaceshift...
in association with Scarlet Maguire Gallery
104-108 Cromer Street
London WC1H 8BZ
UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7837 6680
mob: 07916 325037

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