Bradford councillor's concerns about Clarion Housing Group

Clarion Housing Group (CHG) - which manages 125,000 homes across more than 170 local authorities in the UK - runs most of the properties in Bradford's Sutton Estate, just off Dick Lane.

A report by the Housing Ombudsman shows CHG nationally has been ordered to pay tenants £58,000 in compensation over the last year and also issued with 147 recommendations to 'put things right'.

The report also reveals that between April 2022 and March 2023, the ombudsman was asked to look at 86 cases where property condition was an issue at CHG homes. 

On the back of the report, Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Party on Bradford Council and the councillor for Tong Ward, has expressed concerns about CHG.

CHG said it takes tenants' issues "very seriously" and had an action plan in place to tackle issues such as damp and mould. CHG also pointed out that it had not received any maladministration judgements from the Housing Ombudsman in relation to any of its homes in Bradford in the last two years.

Councillor Edwards told the Telegraph & Argus: "As a councillor, the condition of housing is one of the biggest issues I have to help residents with. 

"CHG is not the largest provider of social housing in the area but up until now I have found them by far the most difficult to deal with.

"I have been contacted by many residents reporting issues from CHG's failure to deal with small repairs to significant issues like damp.

"Everyone deserves a warm, secure and affordable home. 

"But the most recent data shows that social landlords, who often house some of the most vulnerable people across the city, are not treating residents fairly."

Ann-Marie Sutton, who lives at a CHG-run home on Dudley Street, Bradford, told the T&A her property experienced damp and was concerned about the impact on her two young children.

She said: "As soon as I moved into this house back in 2017, I noticed issues. 

"The wallpaper was peeling off the walls in the living room with mould underneath. 

Problems in Ann Marie Sutton's home (Image: Ann Marie Sutton)

"I was told it was because the house had been empty for a while. 

"From that point on I have had repeated issues with mould, damp and plaster falling down. 

"One year on I am now waiting on them to come back out and fix the plaster that has blown."

She added: "I have lived on this estate almost all my life - 31 years - and under Clarion things have gone downhill. 

"Some of the workmen are amazing and they will say that all they can do is patch, not fix. 

"I created a Facebook group and the vast majority of posts on there are people complaining about living conditions and the estate looking scruffy. 

"If I had the money I'd move away from here."

More issues inside Ann Marie's property (Image: Ann Marie Sutton)

The T&A put these concerns to CHG.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We take damp and mould in our homes very seriously and have rolled out an action plan to tackle the issue. 

"We are very sorry that Ms Sutton has experienced mould in her home - we have attended on several occasions to treat the problem and identify solutions and are committed to providing a permanent resolution. 

"We will be agreeing a suitable time with Ms Sutton for a surveyor to visit to assess the latest situation and will continue to provide support. 

"We are aiming to complete all the outstanding plastering work at our booked appointment this Monday."

They added: "We are disappointed to hear Cllr Edwards' comments and will be getting in contact to understand more about his concerns. 

"We are committed to having good working relationships with our residents' elected representatives, and working with them in our communities. 

"We have met with Cllr Edwards on several occasions on our estate in his ward, and have been in direct email communication regarding individual issues, when needed, to resolve.

"We have not received any maladministration judgements from the Housing Ombudsman in relation to any of our homes in Bradford over the last two years."