Consultation on proposal for Transfer of Engagements between Hendon Christian Housing Association Limited (HCHA) and Watford Community Housing

Tenants should by now have received a formal letter from us about the proposal for HCHA to transfer its homes to Watford Community Housing. 

We have also held meetings with a number of tenants last month about the proposal and had some useful feedback.    

The letter sets out how you can have your say, including by sending back the form enclosed with the letter, emailing us or contacting us to request a chat or face to face meeting.

You can find out more about Watford Community Housing in the video on our website or on their website: https://www.wcht.org.uk/

We have also included some Frequently Asked Questions here, which should hopefully answer any queries you may have.

The formal consultation period lasts September 16 2024 so please make sure that you give us your comments before then.

Frequently Asked Questions

Would my landlord change?

Yes – your landlord would become Watford Community Housing. The conditions of your tenancy agreement or lease would not change as a result of the proposed transfer. You would have the same level of rights and protection that you have now.

Would my rent or service charge be affected?

No, the transfer would not affect your rent or service charge. Watford Community Housing would review charges every year, as HCHA do at the moment, in line with your current tenancy agreement. Rent increases would only be made in line with guidance and requirements issued by the Regulator of Social Housing, as they are now.

Service charges are reviewed every year. Your service charge covers the direct cost of services for your block and/or estate and this would not change. You would get a breakdown of your service charge along with your rent letter just as you do now.

If approved, when would the transfer take effect?

We anticipate that the transfer would take place in late October 2024. This would be followed by a period of integration, and a review of services and how the service to HCHA tenants can best be delivered.  

Would there be a change to how I pay?

This would change after the transfer, but we will tell you nearer the time about any changes you need to make to the payee’s details.

Would my repairs, grounds maintenance or cleaning contractors change?

Yes, your services will be provided by Watford Community Housing and their contractors. Watford Community Housing have a dedicated in-house repairs team. For cleaning and grounds maintenance, the contractor Accuro works alongside the in-house Estates team.

Would the way I contact you change?

Watford Community Housing would take over the provision of services to you, as your new landlord. Contact details would change as part of the transfer. We would give you plenty of notice of any change to these details. They will have a dedicated Housing Officer for HCHA homes, so you would have a named contact.

If the proposal goes ahead, we will tell you nearer the time about changes to your usual contacts.

Will there still be a scheme manager at Vernon House?

Vernon House would be brought into Watford Community Housing’s Independent Living Service with a scheme officer being present regularly throughout the week.

How would tenants be able to influence the way the new organisation operates?

Watford Community Housing has a strong reputation for listening to its residents and acting on their feedback. They are a community gateway housing association, which means that tenants can become members of Watford Community Housing and have more say over what they do. They offer a number of ways for tenants to get involved and will talk to residents about what they offer after the transfer.

What happens to Christian Action HA who manage our homes now?

Christian Action HA will continue to manage your homes until the transfer takes place. You should continue to contact them for any repairs or other issues until you are advised of the date of the transfer. You should also continue to pay your rent to them until you are advised of any change.

I have got outstanding repairs at my home. Will these be done before transfer?

Christian Action will continue to carry out day to day repairs until the transfer takes place. After transfer, Watford Community Housing will check all homes against the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and put together a plan to bring homes up to standard.

Are there any other disadvantages associated with a transfer between HCHA and Watford Community Housing?

We have looked carefully at the consequences of this proposal and, through a process known as due diligence, we will ensure that the transfer would mean no material detriment to our tenants.

It may take some time to align the systems and people from both organisations which may mean that you do not see all planned improvements immediately. However, we expect that you will quickly see changes and a more visible and accessible housing and repairs service.

Why can’t HCHA manage our homes?

We do not have a full staff team and we do not have enough homes to make the cost of employing staff viable.