Decent Homes and the law

Published: 4 March 2010

• FURTHER to your article ‘New Kitchen and bathroom? No Thanks’, February25, I understand the reluctance of tenants to allow access for the Decent Homes upgrade following horror stories about the sub-standard work that are published nearly every week.

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP have received inquiries from concerned tenants regarding the standard of work and who want to seek advice on their position.

While Camden Council must ensure that all work carried out is satisfactory, the fact that 20 per cent of residents are refusing access to allow the upgrade is a concerning trend.

Tenants should be aware that if they do refuse access Camden may be able to absolve themselves of responsibility to carry out further repairs should this become necessary in the future.

For this reason I would urge tenants to allow Camden access and if, when the upgrade is complete, tenants are still concerned about the standard of work, they would then have means of challenging this through Camden’s internal complaints procedure and then, if necessary, by seeking legal advice.
Anna Moore
Hodge Jones & Allen LLP
180 North Gower Street
London NW1 2NB