UNISON Save Edinburgh's Housing

It's been done before in Edinburgh ... and look what happened

There have been partial transfers in Edinburgh before and some of the lessons there should ring warnings about the current plans.

Capital City Homes (now part of the huge Places for People faced controversy when plans for a land gift from the council to build house as more expensive 'market rents' came to light.

Tenants on the board were gagged because they were bound by commercial confidentiality. What happens if tenant board members are unhappy with CEHA? They are likely to be gagged in the same way because it is for all commercial purposes a private company.

Writing in Tenants Voice this year, George McKie, the respected convenor of Edinburgh Tenants Federation said, "Concerned tenants should also check the practical experiences of Edinburgh tenants who have already transferred to the Home Group about broken promises, about problems with improvements, repairs and maintenance.

"As owners who have put up cash for improvements and are being asked for more if they are satisfied with the work being done (or not done!) to their homes. "Then judge for yourself the value of 'promises and 'guarantees'

"Also remember, once transferred, there is no way back", added George.

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