As part of a Community Housing and Regeneration Campaign, UNISON members have been liaising with and assisting voluntary groups engaged in campaigns with residents associations and community forums.

The Suffolk Road Residents Network, with UNISON support, recently launched a campaign to address the chronic maintenance problems and extortionate overcharging faced by residents in the area. Over 150 family apartments fall within the areas affected on the Suffolk Road in Belfast including; Gleann Dara, Sprucehill, Glencolin and Meadowhill.

Indeed, it is a problem that affects most communities, as evidenced in the recent debate on changing regulation for companies and property management agents at Stormont.

Management Companies instruct agents to charge service fees for the upkeep of communal areas. However, many communities have become increasingly angry that they are pouring money down the drain as management agents often do not engage with residents, or carry out the work to an acceptable standard, if at all.  

In the case of Gleann Dara, over £700 is charged per apartment per year which is higher than the average amount paid in rates per property.  Residents, given the current economic climate, are in debt as a result.

Vice Chair of the Residents Network and UNISON member, Máiría Cahill, has sought the support of UNISON, and called for political and community support in addressing the issue as it reaches crisis point.  Some residents have refused to pay and are incurring hefty court fines whilst others are set to lose their homes as the costs mount.

She said: ‘We are more than happy to pay decent money for decent work and good customer service, but a cursory glance at our area shows that in many cases it is in disrepair, and furthermore, large amounts of debt have been accrued by companies and agents over the last number of years, debt which shareholders are ultimately liable for.

‘It is a disgrace. Residents, who are the real victims, are being further pressurised, and with little protection due to lack of legislation, we now feel that the time has come for us to resolve this issue through a transparent, high pressure, community campaign.

‘We are at our wits end and, this week, have launched our campaign to address the ridiculous fees and the equally ridiculous service that residents endure. We are seeking all the support we can get on this issue and are confident that the people of the area will back our campaign. We also hope to raise awareness across communities in the North as to these problems and to make people aware that they have a right to challenge similar companies and agents in their areas.

‘Tonight was simply a first step in making our community aware that we can, and will, fight back. We want people to come together and discuss how we can address this issue before it gets worse and families start losing their homes.

‘With the support of the people of the area, UNISON, Lenadoon Community Forum, and political representatives, we are positive that we can challenge the companies and agents at fault and together provide a better service and standard for our entire area.

‘The leaflet we distributed tonight was the first step in the campaign, which we will continue until our community gets the service it deserves at a price that is fair. We are asking the community for their views and welcome everyone’s support.’

Suffolk Road Residents Network can be contacted at www.suffolkroadresidents.webs.com, suffolkroadresidents@hotmail.com, or by text at 07704072744.