Living in a ‘horror film’

Published: 25 February 2010

• TOM Foot’s story (Man left to live in ‘horror film’ – February 18) was shocking but enlightening! 
Unfortunately, in this particular case, the onus was placed on the tenants in the house to act after the elderly tenant was not only physically harmed but also after their concerns about the welfare of the tenant were not acted on after 25 years!
The failure of Camden Council and other agencies to have in place at such times appropriate care arrangements does also mean that they stand accused of helping to stigmatise a group of people who might otherwise be supported to live quite happily and independently in their homes and the wider community.
Such situations can also leave other tenants in a house feeling vulnerable and with security compromised.
The nature of street properties mean that tenants (including Camden Council leaseholders) live more intimately than in estate units.
There is less room for anonymity.
Security of the house is based around mutual agreement or goodwill and tensions can quickly develop between tenants when things go wrong.
Most worryingly, a recent report by the council stated that many tenants living in Camden Council street properties do not even know the name of their estate officer.
We know this is true from the feedback we receive from tenants, so just who do tenants turn to when things go wrong, or when situations become desperate?
The report, produced after much campaigning by the association, also helps to identify a number of further issues affecting Camden street properties, including inadequate communication between tenants and different council departments, concerns around the quality and cost of repairs to our properties, community safety issues and the difficulty for some tenants around accessing some services, including a sensitive and responsive noise service.
Unfortunately the report doesn’t stress enough just how much people do enjoy living in their homes, including valuing the small opportunity we now have as tenants to try to influence and improve how services are delivered to our homes, an opportunity our members were denied for years. 
Unfortunately some of the horror stories we hear from tenants living in housing association and private rented properties appear even worse, which is why our homes are worth defending, as well as fighting for services which are fit for purpose.  
However, as one tenant commented at a Camden Association of Street Properties general meeting, “Camden really needs to take ownership of these properties”.
PETRA DANDO
Chair, Camden Association of Street Properties