>Housing & Building Repairs in Covent Garden

7.1 Legal
7.2 Repairs
7.3 Landlords, Housing Trusts & Associations
7.4 Hostels & Homeless Services
7.5 Housing Advice
7.6 Other Housing & Homeless Services

7.1 LEGAL

Tenants and Landlords have legal obligations arising out of the agreement made at the time of taking up occupancy. If you are concerned about your tenancy agreement, obtain specialist or legal advice.

There are several types of housing tenancies and licences: other than council tenancies, the standard

tenancy is an assured shorthold tenancy. A long running letting may be a regulated tenancy giving long term security of tenure.

Residential property can only be repossessed by a court order. Homeless persons, housed by a private landlord through an arrangement with the council will only acquire an assured tenancy from the end of the first year. The rent of a regulated tenancy is registered with the Rent Officer.

Shorthold tenancies are for a fixed term at the end of which the tenant can be required to vacate; the landlord must serve notice, but a new fixed term can be offered and accepted by the tenant. The rights of the landlord and tenant will depend on the facts of the agreement and not whether it is called a licence or tenancy. In the event of a dispute the Court will decide the true nature of the agreement. Alterations to the terms of a tenancy agreement can only be made by mutual agreement between tenant and landlord or through the Rent Assessment Committee, who can.

Information on private tenants rights of security and rents and leasehold enfranchisement is available from the CGCA for a small fee.

If you believe the rent payable for your accommodation is too high, contact the fair rent office service. Hearings with both parties present can be requested. Comparisons with rents of other properties will be made:

Camden Rent Officer Service
1 Angel Square,
Torrens Street,
EC1V 1NY (between 09:30-16:30 Mon-Fri)
tel 020 7278 0632 (between 09:00-17:00 Mon-Fri)

Westminster Rent Officer Service
Chesham House,
150 Regent Street, W1.
287 3043.

If you are not satisfied with the rent set by the rent officer you can appeal to:

London Rent Assessment PanelWhittington House,
19-30 Alfred Place, WC1.
446 7700.

If you are unsure of your rights or about the terms of your tenancy, the following agency will advise:

Central London Community Law Centre
19 Whitcomb Street, W1.
839 2998.
Housing Enquiries: Weds, 3-7pm.

If you wish to complain about maladministration with regard to legal services contact the Director:

Ombudsman of Legal Services
22 Oxford Court,
Oxford Street,
Manchester.
0161 236 9532.

If you are a Council, Housing Trust or Housing Association tenant with over five years tenancy and you are required to vacate your home for renovation or rebuilding, you are entitled to Home Loss Payments, a fixed sum for the loss of your home and Disturbance Grants, to cover the cost of the move. You must keep receipts to support your claim.

For more information about regulated tenancies and to discuss your problems with campaigners against the large increases in recent years, please contact Helen Holdsworth of the Fairer Fair Rents Campaign on tel 603 3837.

7.2 REPAIRS

Contact names and telephone numbers for emergency and non-emergency repairs for major landlords, housing trusts and associations are set out in 7.3. Confirm requests for repairs in writing, keeping a copy of your correspondence, and keep a record of telephone calls. Maintenance services are listed below. CGCA does not accept responsibility for work undertaken by people, organisations and companies listed herein.

Always ask for proof of identity before you let anyone enter your home. If in doubt telephone the police (999) and ask for assistance.

If the condition of home or business premises is affecting the health of yourself, your family or staff ask the Public Health Inspector to visit. A report from your Environmental Health Department will usually ensure a swift response from your landlord.

CAMDEN:
Environmental Health Department
Camden Town Hall,
Argyle Street, WC1.
278 4444.

WESTMINSTER:
Environmental Health DepartmentCouncil House,
Marylebone Road, NW1.
641 3402.

It is inadvisable to undertake repairs through a private maintenance service, and deducting the cost from your rent, without taking legal advice. Failure to pay rent may result in an eviction notice being issued and property being repossessed.

COUNCIL REPAIRS

In the first instance, contact the estate manager either in person at:

Holborn District Housing Department
28-30 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8NX.
Mon-Fri 9am-12.45pm;
Tues & Thurs 2-4pm.
Or by telephone: Estate Manager 278 4444 ext. 3575; Area Team Managers 413 6302;
Emergencies and out of office hours 278 4444.

You can complete a repairs request form, available at reception during opening hours, which should be acknowledged by letter from the estate manager, including an order number and the date for the repair. If written notification is not received within a few days, contact the Area Team Manager. The letter will include a slip for you to return to the Council if the work has not been undertaken within the time indicated or the work is not completed satisfactorily.

Contact the Covent Garden & Soho estate management office. Within a few days, notification of the repair order should be sent to you, sometimes via the caretaker, indicating a date for the work. If you do not receive notification contact the estate manager at the same office.

Covent Garden & Soho Housing Office103 Berwick Street, W1.
Mon 9am-1pm, 1.45-4.30pm;
Tue-Fri 9am-12noon.

Housing Management Officers
641 3065.
Emergencies 641 6000.

If the Council fails to respond within a reasonable period you may be entitled to a rent reduction. To apply write to the Director of Housing at:
London Borough of Camden, Bidborough House, Bidborough Street, NW1.
City of Westminster WestminsterCity Hall, Victoria Street, SW1.

PRIVATE MAINTENANCE SERVICES:

AERIAL SERVICES
TVI Commercial Information
44 Earlham Street.
379 1056.
5 Star Aerials
2 Bedford Square.
224 5303.

BUILDERS
Hutchings & Keasley Builders Ltd
10 New Row.
836 9431.
Pat Devine Contractors
22 Woodland Drive,
St Albans AL4 0EU.
01727 861391.

DECORATORS
Paul Abrahams
38 Gt Russell Street, WC1.
637 7800.
Sykes & Son Ltd
23 Devereux Court.
353 9651.

ELECTRICIANS
Phase Two Electrical
188-189 Drury Lane.
405 2368.
Alliance Electrical Company Ltd
9 Betterton Street.
836 2708.
London Electric Company
27 Newton Street.
831 9899.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Heatsave Ltd
32 Wellington Street.
379 7255.

GLAZIERS
Caledonian Glass & Glazing Co
251 Caledonian Road, N1.
607 4939.
Preedy Glass
Stanley Works,
Coronation Road, NW10.
0181 965 1323.

IRONMONGERS
F W Collins & Sons
(also stocks timber)
14 Earlham Street.
836 3964.
Robert Dyas
97 St Martins Lane.
836 0611.
Burgess & Galer
51 Brewer Street, W1.
437 4989.

LOCKSMITHS
V & P Fox
23 Cecil Court.
836 2902.
Kingsway Lock & Key Co Ltd
6 Sicilian Avenue, WC1.
836 4536.
24hr emergency service: 0831 401381.

PLUMBERS
T Nolan21 Cubitt Street, WC1.
837 6534.
D O'Halloran
0181 889 9596.
A &B Plumbers Heating Contractors
0181 856 0466.

SKIP HIRE
Camden Municipal Engineering Group
413 6956.

TIMBER MERCHANTS
Latchfords
24-27 Warner Street, EC1.
837 1461.
Travis Perkins
11 St Pancras Way, NW1.
387 6104.

TV REPAIRS
Fast Electronics
20 Hanway Place, W1.
636 2520.
F J Trading Company
6a Gerrard Street W1.
434 3843.

7.3 PRIVATE LANDLORDS, HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS AND TRUSTS

Principal private landlords, public authority housing and housing associations with property in Covent Garden and their agents where applicable:

PRIVATE LANDLORDS & SERVICES

Austin Marshall
020 7240 0777
"We are a highly motivated firm of Chartered Surveyors based in Covent Garden, who specialise in reducing occupiers property costs."
Email: austin.marshall@conneelytribe.co.uk
Web: www.conneelytribe.com

Freemasons
Freemasons Hall,
Great Queen Street.
831 9811.
Property in Gt. Queen Street. E A Shaw act for the Grand Charity of Freemasons, dealing with property lettings and management. Tel: 240 2255.

Covent Garden Estates
7 Stafford Street, W1.
629 8989.

Guardian Properties
Royal Exchange, EC3.
283 7101.
Soho Housing Association administers Guardian Properties residential property in the Central Market Piazza, Russell Street and James Street.

Kleinwort Benson
20 Fenchurch Street, EC3.
623 8000.

Hayler Osborne Chartered Surveyors
manage property in Thomas Neal's.
491 1223.

MEPC
12 St James Square, SW1Y 4LB.
911 5300.
(E A Shaw act for MEPC. 240 2255).

Mercers' Company
Mercers' Hall,
Ironmonger Lane, EC2V 8HE.
726 4991.
Property in Mercer Street, Long Acre, Shelton Street, Langley Street and Neal Street. Contact: Colette O'Shea.

National Provident Institution
48 Gracechurch Street, EC3.
623 4200.
E A Shaw act for NPI's interests in Covent Garden, dealing with all aspects of property letting and/or management. Contact 240 2255.

Rugby Estates PLC
14 Garrick Street
WC2E 9BJ
Tel: 632 2200
Fax: 632 2222
http://www.rugbyestates.plc.uk
Residential and commercial properties in Bedford St, Strand and Earlham St.

Shaftesbury PLC
Pegasus House,
37 Sackville Street, W1.
333 8118.
The Thomas Neal's complex, parts of Neal's Yard, Comyn Ching Triangle, properties in Earlham Street, Tower Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Chandos Place and St. Martin's Lane.

Burford Property Group
20 Thayer Street, W1.
224 2240.
Jubilee Hall, Theatre Museum, property in St Martins Lane, including Wellington House.

Cecil Gascoyne Estate
Property between Charing Cross Road and St Martins Lane, including Burleigh Mansions and Talbot House.
For details contact:
Cluttons Daniel Smith,
45 Berkeley Square, W1
408 1010.

Housing Associations are funded by;
The Housing Corporation
149 Tottenham Court Road, W1.
393 2000.

An Ombudsman Service is available on 437 1422. If you feel the service given by your housing association is unsatisfactory contact the Housing Corporation. It supervises over 2,300 registered Housing Associations, ensuring that Associations provide well-managed homes at affordable rents.

Community Housing Association
100 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH.
267 7020.
Property: Short's Gardens, Matthew's Yard, Endell Street, Shelton Street.
Report faults at above number between 9.30am-5.30pm.
Outside office hours: 0181 840 7000 (ask for Pager number 2821389).

Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association
93 Shepperton Road, N1.
226 3753.
Property: Thurston & Holland Buildings, Newton Street. Report faults to above number during office hours. Outside office hours refer to tenants handbook.

Peabody Trust
Wild Street Estate Office:
836 3880.
Head Office:
45 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1.
928 7811.
Property: Wild Street; Bedfordbury; Nottingham House, Short's Gardens; Bruce House, Drury Lane; Faraday House, Charing Cross Road.
Report faults to the Estate Manager on 836 3880. The Wild Street estate office deals with repairs to properties in WC2. If not satisfied with the response by the estate office, contact the head office.

Seven Dials Housing Co-operative
10-14 Shelton Street.
379 3534.
Property: Short's Gardens, Endell Street, Neal Street, Shelton Street, Mercer Street and limited short-life accommodation.
Report faults to above number Wed & Fri. Answerphone service other times.

St Pancras Housing Association
110 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BS.
209 9222.
Property: Short's Gardens; Drury Lane; Cambridge Court, Earlham Street; Goldsmith Court, Stukeley Street; Shaftesbury Avenue. Managed by Covent Garden Housing Co-op 379 0344 office hours, otherwise 0958 507658.
The Co-op is responsible for rent collecting, maintenance but not allocations.

St Pancras Housing Assoc. offers a handyman service for older or disabled owner occupiers or private tenants in Camden, Islington and the City of London. Cost is £5 per hour +VAT, materials and cost of parking. Contact on 209 9203.

Soho Housing Association
Archer House
8-10 Denman Street, W1V 7RF.
437 9141.
Property: Driscoll House, Southampton Street; Sandringham Flats, Charing Cross Road; The Alcazar, Stacy Street; Pendrell House, New Compton Street; Stukeley Street; Wellington Street; Floral Street and Russell Street.
Report faults to above number between 9am and 5pm. Answerphone service outside these hours gives details of contact numbers depending on fault.

LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING:
Camden properties at Dudley Court, Newton Street, Neal Street, Betterton Street, Endell Street, Drury Lane, Mercer Street, Macklin Street, among others.

Holborn District Housing Department (South Team)
Bidborough House,
38-50 Bidborough Street, WC1.
413 6302.
Mon-Fri (except Wed): 9.30am-12 noon and 1pm-3pm.

Westminster properties at Odhams Walk, Siddons & Stirling, and Martlett Court.
City of Westminster Pimlico Estate Office
641 2088.
City of Westminster Covent Garden Estate Office
641 3065.
City of Westminster Customer Services and Housing Information Unit (private sector) 64 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH.
641 3605.
Fax: 641 3602.
Mon, Wed, Fri 9.30am-4.30pm;
Tue, Thurs 9.30am-12noon.

7.4 HOSTELS & HOMELESS SERVICES

If you have left home and want to let people know you are safe, Message Home will relay your message with no questions asked.
799 7662.

London Borough of Camden - Emergencies & Homeless Persons Unit Housing Enquiry Desk: 860 5999.
Mon-Fri (ex Wed) 9am-12noon and 1pm-3pm;
Weds 9am-12noon; weekdays after 5.30pm, weekends & bank holidays: 278 4444.

Westminster City Council Homeless Persons Unit
Crawford Place, W1.
641 1170.
Emergencies: 641 6000.

OTHER AGENCIES:
Centrepoint Soho
2 Swallow Place, W1.
629 2229.
Under-25 emergency night shelter with hostels at 55 Dean Street, W1 and 15 Berwick Street, W1.

House of St Barnabas
(women referrals-only hostel).
1 Greek Street, W1.
437 1894.
Help with accommodation and job search for the homeless. 723 7544.

Parker Street Lodgings(men only)
25-35 Parker Street.
831 3452.
Lodgings and medical service provided by Camden Council including doctor, dentist, optician and chiropodist. No appointments necessary.

St Martin's-in-the-Fields Social Care Unit
5 St Martin's Place.
930 4137.
Day centre: TV, canteen, welfare services, medical centre, housing advice and referrals.

St Mungo's Hostel
(men only),
83 Endell Street.
240 5431.

Shelter Nightline
0800 446 441.
Lodgings and training for employment services for residents.

Piccadilly Advice Centre
100 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1.
437 1579.

Field Lane Homeless Family Centre:
Daytime drop-in centre:
Gregory House
48 Mecklenburgh Square, WC1.
278 3873.

King's Cross Primary Health Care Centre
264 Pentonville Road, N1.
530 5770.
Open 7pm-11pm.

7.5 HOUSING ADVICE

RIGHT TO BUY
Camden Right to Buy Central Administration
Crowndale Centre,
220 Eversholt St. NW1.
860 5529(S)
860 6934(E)
860 6056(N).

Westminster Home Ownership Centre
91 Victoria Street, SW1.
Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm.
0800 454136.

Private Sector Tenants Housing Advice
Camden 413 6918.
Westminster 641 1145.

7.6 OTHER HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES

The 'Big Issue' advertises properties to let and lists accommodation for the homeless.

Communities and Homes in Central London (CHiCL)
6 Southwark Street, SE1.
378 8300.
Campaigns for affordable homes in central London.

Camden Federation of Private Tenants
11-17 The Marr,
Camden Street, NW1.
383 0151.
Campaigning organisation for tenants.

Fairer Fair Rents Campaign
603 3837.
Campaigns against the large increases in regulated rents.