Convicted burglar evicted from his home (1/2/2012)

A 31 year old COUNCIL tenant has lost his home after being convicted of burglary and serving time in prison.

Adam Johnson of 40 Gaunt Way, Gleadless, broke into his neighbour’s property in May 2011.  A boiler was stolen and damage valued at £2000 was caused as a result of the break-in.  Mr Johnson was given a 4 month custodial sentence.

In August 2011, a Notice Seeking Possession was served on Mr Johnson, he attended the first hearing at court on 13 October 2011.  He was ordered to file a defence by 27 October but failed to do so.  The Court then made an order that unless he filed a defence by 25 November 2011, he would be prohibited from defending the claim.  Mr Johnson once again failed to file a defence.

On 27 January 2011 the claim made by Sheffield Homes and the Council was heard in front of District Judge Kirkham. Mr Johnson did not attend.  In his absence he was ordered to give up possession of his tenancy by 10 February 2012 and that he pay the Council’s  legal costs of £301.75

Mr Johnson clearly didn’t care about the impact of his behaviour on his neighbour’s lives.” said Cllr Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.

“We will not tolerate criminal activity taking place in any of our properties and will take swift action, in partnership with the police, to tackle it. In this case Mr Johnson not only has faced a custodial sentence due to his criminal actions but has now also lost his home.”

If Mr Johnson does not leave the property by the date stipulated then the bailiffs will attend to evict him.

Law-breaking council tenant faces eviction (25/1/2012)

A LOWEDGES man looks set to lose his council home after breaking the law twice.

Karl Bradley, 40, of 86 Lingfoot Crescent, was convicted of affray at Sheffield Crown Court on 31^st March 2011 after assaulting a postman who was out on his rounds on the estate where Mr Bradley lives in August 2010. He was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.

In February 2011 Mr Bradley was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified, again on the estate where he lives.

He was convicted of these offences at Sheffield Crown Court in May 2011 and sentenced to a total of 5 months.

Following this, Sheffield Council made a claim for possession of his home, which was heard by District Judge Mort at Sheffield County Court on 20th January 2012.

The Judge made an immediate possession order, which means that Mr Bradley is likely to be evicted from his home in the next 4-8 weeks. He was also ordered to pay the Council's costs for the trial.

“We won’t hesitate to take action against tenants who break the law within their homes or communities,” said Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.

“Eviction is a last resort but one we are quite willing to take. Hopefully cases like this will act as a deterrent to others and demonstrate our commitment to take action when we have to.”

First Come First Served is the order of the day (25/1/2012)

A scheme run by Sheffield Homes, which gives even recently registered customers the chance to move into a new home, has proved to be a hit with tenants.

The First Come First Served (FCFS) scheme applies to all properties (including age banded studios and one bedroom flats) which have usually been advertised through the normal bidding system but have had no eligible bids made for them. They then become available on a ‘first come first served’ basis. The properties can be situated anywhere in the city or in sheltered schemes.

Paul Mitchell, who had only recently been registered for properties with Sheffield Homes, visited his local housing office and was informed about the first come first served scheme and within a number of days he had moved into his new flat at Callow Mount sheltered scheme at Gleadless and says it’s the best move he’s ever made!

Paul said "I suffered a serious spinal injury some years ago and the property I was in was becoming more and more unsuitable for my bathing needs. I also wanted to be somewhere that I could feel secure but also live independently. I also enjoy hand biking and wanted somewhere that had a good route out to Derbyshire. Callow Mount Sheltered Scheme has proved to be a perfect choice for me. It has amazing views over the city looking out to the Derbyshire hills and also I have a wet room which helps me immensely. The fact that we have a warden too gives me added security. I was even referred to Tenancy Support who were able to provide me with help packing my furniture and getting all my belongings over to my new flat."

Another tenant at Callow Mount, Trevor, said, "My previous flat had too many stairs and was proving difficult for me to access. Using the FCFS scheme I’ve now moved into a lovely flat that’s suitable for my needs."

A property on the FCFS scheme will be given to the first person who places a bid and meets the letting criteria, regardless of waiting time or priority. The normal checks will still have to be carried out.

Decent homes work has recently been completed at Orpen House Sheltered Scheme, Mawfa Road, Norton, Sheffield S14 1AZ.   They have the benefit of new fitted kitchens and wet rooms. Properties are readily available there at the moment. 

If any one is interested they can contact Sheffield Homes on 2930000 or 2053333 and ask to speak to the Sheltered Housing Team. 

Sheffield Homes provides the best housing service in the country (20/1/2012)

Sheffield City Council commissioned Sheffield Homes to produce a report ahead of the ‘Future of Council Housing’ vote outlining how the successes of the last eight years can be taken forward whatever tenants decide.  Following workshops with the Board, Area Boards and staff a draft report was considered by the Board on the 17 January.  Area boards will have another opportunity to contribute at their meetings in February before the final document is signed off on the 21 February.

At the board John Barlow representing Sheltered tenants asked for the report to be made public to encourage tenants to contribute.

Since 2004, Sheffield’s Council housing has been managed by Sheffield Homes, an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO).  In late January and early February there will be a ballot to ask tenants whether they would like their home to be managed directly by the Council or by an ALMO like Sheffield Homes.

Whatever the outcome of the vote Sheffield Homes recommends that we work together with tenants and the Council to continue to build on the successes of the last eight years.

Council housing services in Sheffield are the best in the country with Sheffield Homes being awarded the top three stars rating, three times by the Audit Commission.

Pauline West, Tenant Director on Sheffield Homes’ Board said, “Sheffield Homes is the only organisation in the country to achieve the excellent rating three times.”

“I’ve been a Council tenant for 18 years and have never seen housing services so good.  In my opinion this is down to the way Sheffield Homes develops its services. As a tenant I can safely say that tenants are at the heart of the organisations decision making. This means that services have evolved inline with tenants’ expectations.”

“The statistics speak for themselves with customer satisfaction levels continually rising from 2004 with 8 out of ten tenants now satisfied with the services they receive. However, the hard work isn’t over and there is still room for improvement that’s why we’ve produced this report.”

The report from the workshops highlights how the future arrangements can build on the successful track record of Sheffield Homes.

Under the ALMO option tenants have been involved at the Board of Directors and Area Boards where they regularly scrutinise and challenge performance. Sheffield Homes is accountable to tenants and the Council through their involvement in decision making.

This has driven constant improvements that offer value for money and huge savings. This includes

ü      Saving over £122 million which has enabled   further 6,000 homes to be improved than was expected in 2004

ü      Efficiency savings of  £3.25 million per year

ü      Saving £7million per year by employing 300 fewer staff since 2008.  Staff resources are focused on frontline tenant services.  Sheffield Homes employs half as many managers as similar organisations

ü      Performance on every service has improved since 2004, for example the time taken to relet a homes has reduced by half; current rent arrears have reduced by £4.1 million.

ü      Customer satisfaction has increased including satisfaction with how we deal with anti-social behaviour from 51% to 74%.

Sheffield Homes is more than just a housing management organisation. Through working with tenants it has expanded its services to cover the broader needs of its customers. For example, Sheffield Homes’ hugely successful Money Advice team has introduced a preventative and supportive approach to minimise debt due to uncollected rent. Debt is now down from over £15 million in 2004 to just over £9 million in 2011 and over 100% of rent and rent arrears was collected last year.

These savings have been reinvested into services, contributing to the excellent three star rating.

The organisation has also driven forward strong partnership working to tackle a number of issues that tenants say are important to them. They’ve teamed up with:

·         the Police to tackle anti-social behaviour (9 out of ten customers are satisfied with the support they receive when they report ASB)

·         the Fire Service on fire and arson prevention

·         Advice agencies on financial inclusion and debt advice

·         the Council to ensure we are delivering the housing policies they set to the highest possible standard within the resources available.

Anti-social neighbour served with injunction (18/1/2012)

A man who caused horrendous noise nuisance to his neighbours has been ordered by a judge to stop his anti-social behaviour.

John Lee Johnson, of 217 Winn Gardens, was served with a two-year injunction which, if breached, could result in a prison sentence.

The court case follows months of misery for Mr Johnson’s neighbours. He lives with his mother Mrs Hodkinson, who is the council tenant of the property.

Mr Johnson regularly used the front of the property and communal land at the side to load and unload scrap metal, work on cars and dismantle metal items for scrap using hammers, grinding and cutting tools.

This created a huge noise nuisance and the youths who gathered there also intimidated his neighbours.

Despite officials warning Mrs Hodkinson and Mr Johnson, the anti-social behaviour continued.

District Judge Young heard the case on Tuesday 10^th January, reading evidence that the noise made by the scrap metal dealing had at times been horrendous for neighbours. 

The injunction prohibits Mr Johnson from:

·        Storing, loading/unloading scrap metal or stripping down or persistently repairing cars at 217 Winn Gardens

·        Playing excessively loud music in or outside the property

·        Using intimidating words or gestures to residents of or visitors to other properties at Winn Gardens.

·        Throwing or kicking objects towards people or cars at Winn Gardens

·        Allowing his dog/dogs to foul pavements or communal areas at Winn Gardens or jump on/intimidate residents or visitors

“Everyone has the right to live peacefully in their own homes without fear or intimidation from their neighbours,” said Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.

“This young man didn’t heed the warnings he was given and ended up in court as a result. “I hope he has learnt his lesson because any further incidents could result in a far more serious punishment. “

Tenant evicted for growing cannabis on his property (12/1/2012)

A 40 year old COUNCIL tenant faces eviction following the discovery of cannabis plants at his property.

Ian Craig of 111 Gresley Road, Lowedges, was found to be in possession of 13 mature cannabis plants.  Mr Craig had been living at the property since January 2009.

The plants were discovered on 23 August last year when Mr Craig reported a burglary at the address. Police attended the property and found the cannabis plants growing in the loft space.  

Mr Craig accepted a caution from the police for the cultivation of a controlled class B drug.  The Council and Sheffield Homes then served him with a Notice Seeking possession and issued possession proceedings in Sheffield County Court.

At a hearing on 11 January 2012, which Mr Craig did not attend, Sheffield Homes was granted an Order which gives them possession in 14 days (by 25 January 2012).

His Honour Judge Moore was satisfied that the tenancy had been breached and that it was reasonable to make a possession order given the serious nature of the offence.

He stated that cannabis of this quantity might usually attract a sentence of approximately 30-40 weeks in prison and so was serious enough to justify a possession order.

Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration said, “We act swiftly and decisively when criminal activity is discovered in any of our properties. The ultimate price a tenant can pay for behaviour like this is eviction from their home, as Mr Craig has found to his cost.”