@elliotbanes.bsky.social
Marine scientist and shared owner. Reluctant social media user.
Reposted
"After watching what unfolded after Grenfell, with young people caught in starter homes they can’t sell while facing huge bills, why would anyone in their right mind want to buy a flat in a block?"
✍️ @vickyspratt.bsky.social
inews.co.uk/opinion/ghos...
✍️ @vickyspratt.bsky.social
inews.co.uk/opinion/ghos...
Ghost flats are becoming Britain’s new housing crisis
Thousands of new flats are sitting empty and losing value – why do more luxury towers keep appearing?
inews.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 1:55 PM
"After watching what unfolded after Grenfell, with young people caught in starter homes they can’t sell while facing huge bills, why would anyone in their right mind want to buy a flat in a block?"
✍️ @vickyspratt.bsky.social
inews.co.uk/opinion/ghos...
✍️ @vickyspratt.bsky.social
inews.co.uk/opinion/ghos...
Reposted
📢 SHARED OWNERS
Issues with resales, staircasing, lease extensions, subletting, valuations, or anything else?
👉 Write to the Government.
Use their online form ⤵️
www.gov.uk/guidance/con...
Issues with resales, staircasing, lease extensions, subletting, valuations, or anything else?
👉 Write to the Government.
Use their online form ⤵️
www.gov.uk/guidance/con...
Contact the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Use this form to send a message to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
www.gov.uk
October 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
📢 SHARED OWNERS
Issues with resales, staircasing, lease extensions, subletting, valuations, or anything else?
👉 Write to the Government.
Use their online form ⤵️
www.gov.uk/guidance/con...
Issues with resales, staircasing, lease extensions, subletting, valuations, or anything else?
👉 Write to the Government.
Use their online form ⤵️
www.gov.uk/guidance/con...
Reposted
You can read the written evidence submitted to the Housing Committee on their website.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
Affordability of Home Ownership - Written evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
Written evidence submission publications for Affordability of Home Ownership.
committees.parliament.uk
October 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM
You can read the written evidence submitted to the Housing Committee on their website.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
Reposted
A shared owner wrote to the Committee about the financial & emotional impact of trying to sell their flat.
🖋️ "This case is not unique. It highlights systemic failings within shared ownership."
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social shared owners need buybacks and a statutory right to exit the scheme.
🖋️ "This case is not unique. It highlights systemic failings within shared ownership."
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social shared owners need buybacks and a statutory right to exit the scheme.
October 28, 2025 at 8:26 AM
A shared owner wrote to the Committee about the financial & emotional impact of trying to sell their flat.
🖋️ "This case is not unique. It highlights systemic failings within shared ownership."
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social shared owners need buybacks and a statutory right to exit the scheme.
🖋️ "This case is not unique. It highlights systemic failings within shared ownership."
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social shared owners need buybacks and a statutory right to exit the scheme.
Reposted
❌ Serious fire risks assessed as being "tolerable", homes left half-safe at best.
❌ The Government deflects to industry, flats remain unsellable, leaseholders are still trapped.
The merry-go-round of buck-passing continues.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bbc.com/news/article...
❌ The Government deflects to industry, flats remain unsellable, leaseholders are still trapped.
The merry-go-round of buck-passing continues.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Major fires still a risk under 'spineless' new safety law, construction boss warns
David Jones believes it will permit too many risks, but the government calls it a proportionate approach.
www.bbc.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
❌ Serious fire risks assessed as being "tolerable", homes left half-safe at best.
❌ The Government deflects to industry, flats remain unsellable, leaseholders are still trapped.
The merry-go-round of buck-passing continues.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bbc.com/news/article...
❌ The Government deflects to industry, flats remain unsellable, leaseholders are still trapped.
The merry-go-round of buck-passing continues.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted
📤 Our next email update will focus on subletting and buybacks.
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork
December 23, 2025 at 8:49 PM
📤 Our next email update will focus on subletting and buybacks.
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork
Reposted
Are underperformed heat networks poised to become the next cladding crisis for leaseholders?
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
The flat-owners facing £60k bills to upgrade communal boilers
Nearly a million leaseholders may be forced to pay thousands to improve heat networks, which are often unreliable and wasteful
www.thetimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Are underperformed heat networks poised to become the next cladding crisis for leaseholders?
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
Reposted
1️⃣ year today since the "Remediation Acceleration Plan" announcement.
The only "change" leaseholders have seen is a new Housing Secretary and Minister for Building Safety.
MHCLG are still dragging their feet.
Labour are still far from keeping their manifesto promises.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
The only "change" leaseholders have seen is a new Housing Secretary and Minister for Building Safety.
MHCLG are still dragging their feet.
Labour are still far from keeping their manifesto promises.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
December 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
1️⃣ year today since the "Remediation Acceleration Plan" announcement.
The only "change" leaseholders have seen is a new Housing Secretary and Minister for Building Safety.
MHCLG are still dragging their feet.
Labour are still far from keeping their manifesto promises.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
The only "change" leaseholders have seen is a new Housing Secretary and Minister for Building Safety.
MHCLG are still dragging their feet.
Labour are still far from keeping their manifesto promises.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
Reposted
🆕 HoL Committee report on Building Safety Regulator
Residents waiting for remediation are all too aware of how developers are weaponising Labour’s commitment to build 1.5m homes by creating a false dilemma between safety & meeting targets for newbuilds.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9196/th...
Residents waiting for remediation are all too aware of how developers are weaponising Labour’s commitment to build 1.5m homes by creating a false dilemma between safety & meeting targets for newbuilds.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9196/th...
The Building Safety Regulator - Committees - UK Parliament
committees.parliament.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
🆕 HoL Committee report on Building Safety Regulator
Residents waiting for remediation are all too aware of how developers are weaponising Labour’s commitment to build 1.5m homes by creating a false dilemma between safety & meeting targets for newbuilds.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9196/th...
Residents waiting for remediation are all too aware of how developers are weaponising Labour’s commitment to build 1.5m homes by creating a false dilemma between safety & meeting targets for newbuilds.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9196/th...
Reposted
🗨️ “It’s really stressful, it’s really upsetting.
It’s now been six years and I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve been told that it’s progressing or it’s moving along and still nothing’s happened."
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
It’s now been six years and I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve been told that it’s progressing or it’s moving along and still nothing’s happened."
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
Building Safety Regulator delays leaving leaseholders in stressed and in limbo
The Building Safety Regulator's issues have left leaseholders waiting nine months for works. It could also impact Labour's 1.5m-home target.
www.bigissue.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:48 AM
🗨️ “It’s really stressful, it’s really upsetting.
It’s now been six years and I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve been told that it’s progressing or it’s moving along and still nothing’s happened."
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
It’s now been six years and I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve been told that it’s progressing or it’s moving along and still nothing’s happened."
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
Reposted
Despite strong rhetoric in opposition, Labour’s commitment to building safety is increasingly in doubt.
This drift typifies Labour’s approach so far: governing by targets rather than delivering the change voters expected.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
This drift typifies Labour’s approach so far: governing by targets rather than delivering the change voters expected.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
Is Labour betraying cladding victims to meet its housing targets?
By prioritising building houses over building safety, the government is ignoring its own post-Grenfell promises — and putting lives at risk
www.thetimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Despite strong rhetoric in opposition, Labour’s commitment to building safety is increasingly in doubt.
This drift typifies Labour’s approach so far: governing by targets rather than delivering the change voters expected.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
This drift typifies Labour’s approach so far: governing by targets rather than delivering the change voters expected.
#BuildingSafetyCrisis
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
Reposted
Southern Housing has released a video mocking people who are sceptical of shared ownership. Given their own track record, it’s a staggering decision.
#SouthernHousing #SharedOwnership #HousingSector #TenantVoice #ResidentVoice #SocialHousing #HousingCrisis #Accountability
#SouthernHousing #SharedOwnership #HousingSector #TenantVoice #ResidentVoice #SocialHousing #HousingCrisis #Accountability
November 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Southern Housing has released a video mocking people who are sceptical of shared ownership. Given their own track record, it’s a staggering decision.
#SouthernHousing #SharedOwnership #HousingSector #TenantVoice #ResidentVoice #SocialHousing #HousingCrisis #Accountability
#SouthernHousing #SharedOwnership #HousingSector #TenantVoice #ResidentVoice #SocialHousing #HousingCrisis #Accountability
Reposted
Southern Housing’s shared ownership video mocking sceptical residents shows how far the disconnect has gone. The Ombudsman is slow, the regulator has lost its bite, but residents are speaking out for themselves.
housingsector.co.uk/blog/the-truth-is-out-there-here-there-and-everywhere
housingsector.co.uk/blog/the-truth-is-out-there-here-there-and-everywhere
The truth is out there, here, there and everywhere — Housing Sector
This investigation exposes how UK housing associations rely on tenant satisfaction measures, curated panels and PR narratives while residents face unsafe, unaffordable and often unsellable homes. It c...
housingsector.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Southern Housing’s shared ownership video mocking sceptical residents shows how far the disconnect has gone. The Ombudsman is slow, the regulator has lost its bite, but residents are speaking out for themselves.
housingsector.co.uk/blog/the-truth-is-out-there-here-there-and-everywhere
housingsector.co.uk/blog/the-truth-is-out-there-here-there-and-everywhere
Reposted
Today we met with Building Safety Minister @samanthadixonmp.bsky.social
We requested:
👉 better information on gov.uk for shared owners impacted by the building safety crisis
👉 a rethink of the RICS valuation system for resales
👉 a buyback scheme for unsellable flats.
We requested:
👉 better information on gov.uk for shared owners impacted by the building safety crisis
👉 a rethink of the RICS valuation system for resales
👉 a buyback scheme for unsellable flats.
December 1, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Today we met with Building Safety Minister @samanthadixonmp.bsky.social
We requested:
👉 better information on gov.uk for shared owners impacted by the building safety crisis
👉 a rethink of the RICS valuation system for resales
👉 a buyback scheme for unsellable flats.
We requested:
👉 better information on gov.uk for shared owners impacted by the building safety crisis
👉 a rethink of the RICS valuation system for resales
👉 a buyback scheme for unsellable flats.
Reposted
🚨 Shared owners 🚨
What changes do you want to see❔
Buybacks❔
Affordable service charges❔
Something else❔
Today is your LAST CHANCE to tell Committee MPs in a short survey.
Results will feed into their report to the Govt.
🗓️ Deadline: 29/11
🔗 forms.office.com/e/kA1tD0R1Me
What changes do you want to see❔
Buybacks❔
Affordable service charges❔
Something else❔
Today is your LAST CHANCE to tell Committee MPs in a short survey.
Results will feed into their report to the Govt.
🗓️ Deadline: 29/11
🔗 forms.office.com/e/kA1tD0R1Me
Microsoft Forms
forms.office.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🚨 Shared owners 🚨
What changes do you want to see❔
Buybacks❔
Affordable service charges❔
Something else❔
Today is your LAST CHANCE to tell Committee MPs in a short survey.
Results will feed into their report to the Govt.
🗓️ Deadline: 29/11
🔗 forms.office.com/e/kA1tD0R1Me
What changes do you want to see❔
Buybacks❔
Affordable service charges❔
Something else❔
Today is your LAST CHANCE to tell Committee MPs in a short survey.
Results will feed into their report to the Govt.
🗓️ Deadline: 29/11
🔗 forms.office.com/e/kA1tD0R1Me
Reposted
🚫 Too many shared owners are trapped in homes they can no longer afford, with no viable exit route.
Grateful to Select Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi for asking Housing Secretary Steve Reed MP about the long-term affordability of shared ownership.
#UKhousing
#SharedOwnership
Grateful to Select Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi for asking Housing Secretary Steve Reed MP about the long-term affordability of shared ownership.
#UKhousing
#SharedOwnership
November 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
🚫 Too many shared owners are trapped in homes they can no longer afford, with no viable exit route.
Grateful to Select Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi for asking Housing Secretary Steve Reed MP about the long-term affordability of shared ownership.
#UKhousing
#SharedOwnership
Grateful to Select Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi for asking Housing Secretary Steve Reed MP about the long-term affordability of shared ownership.
#UKhousing
#SharedOwnership
Reposted
🗨️ Baroness Thornhill:
"I was obviously aware of the issues around shared ownership, but what shocked me was the actual costs incurred and the amounts of money lost"
Why is shared ownership marketed as affordable housing? Where is the evidence?
"I was obviously aware of the issues around shared ownership, but what shocked me was the actual costs incurred and the amounts of money lost"
Why is shared ownership marketed as affordable housing? Where is the evidence?
November 10, 2025 at 9:25 AM
🗨️ Baroness Thornhill:
"I was obviously aware of the issues around shared ownership, but what shocked me was the actual costs incurred and the amounts of money lost"
Why is shared ownership marketed as affordable housing? Where is the evidence?
"I was obviously aware of the issues around shared ownership, but what shocked me was the actual costs incurred and the amounts of money lost"
Why is shared ownership marketed as affordable housing? Where is the evidence?
Reposted
🗣️ "I found 43 issues in ten minutes, doors don’t fit in frames properly, seals are coming out and door closers are not powerful enough to keep doors closed when it is windy"
❌ No oversight. No enforcement. No grip.
Change? What change?
www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/2560452...
❌ No oversight. No enforcement. No grip.
Change? What change?
www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/2560452...
High rise flats tenants are losing sleep over 'Grenfell-like' fears
A Brierley Hill councillor says fire doors in a block of high rise flats are ‘not fit for purpose’.
www.dudleynews.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
🗣️ "I found 43 issues in ten minutes, doors don’t fit in frames properly, seals are coming out and door closers are not powerful enough to keep doors closed when it is windy"
❌ No oversight. No enforcement. No grip.
Change? What change?
www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/2560452...
❌ No oversight. No enforcement. No grip.
Change? What change?
www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/2560452...
Reposted
🗨️ "They really are the raw end of the market. They get a raw deal in many different ways"
Baroness Thornhill is right.
❌ Far too many shared owners are trapped in properties they can't sell and can no longer afford.
👉 It is time for the Government to fund buybacks.
Baroness Thornhill is right.
❌ Far too many shared owners are trapped in properties they can't sell and can no longer afford.
👉 It is time for the Government to fund buybacks.
November 9, 2025 at 8:21 AM
🗨️ "They really are the raw end of the market. They get a raw deal in many different ways"
Baroness Thornhill is right.
❌ Far too many shared owners are trapped in properties they can't sell and can no longer afford.
👉 It is time for the Government to fund buybacks.
Baroness Thornhill is right.
❌ Far too many shared owners are trapped in properties they can't sell and can no longer afford.
👉 It is time for the Government to fund buybacks.
Reposted
🚨 Association of Mortgage Intermediaries warning about shared ownership:
"While the model is designed to reduce entry costs by allowing buyers to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remainder, the overall affordability is often questionable."
#mortgages
#SharedOwnership
"While the model is designed to reduce entry costs by allowing buyers to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remainder, the overall affordability is often questionable."
#mortgages
#SharedOwnership
October 26, 2025 at 8:59 AM
🚨 Association of Mortgage Intermediaries warning about shared ownership:
"While the model is designed to reduce entry costs by allowing buyers to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remainder, the overall affordability is often questionable."
#mortgages
#SharedOwnership
"While the model is designed to reduce entry costs by allowing buyers to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remainder, the overall affordability is often questionable."
#mortgages
#SharedOwnership
Reposted
You can read the written evidence submitted to the Committee on their website.
There is a stark contrast between what registered providers and their representatives say about the shared ownership scheme and the lived experience of shared owners.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
There is a stark contrast between what registered providers and their representatives say about the shared ownership scheme and the lived experience of shared owners.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
Affordability of Home Ownership - Written evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
Written evidence submission publications for Affordability of Home Ownership.
committees.parliament.uk
October 25, 2025 at 7:59 AM
You can read the written evidence submitted to the Committee on their website.
There is a stark contrast between what registered providers and their representatives say about the shared ownership scheme and the lived experience of shared owners.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
There is a stark contrast between what registered providers and their representatives say about the shared ownership scheme and the lived experience of shared owners.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9247/af...
Reposted
🖋️ "Shared Ownership, as it currently exists, is not a genuinely affordable or secure route to home ownership. It has been marketed as a stepping stone but has in practice become a trap for many people like me."
Written evidence submitted to the Housing Committee.
Written evidence submitted to the Housing Committee.
October 25, 2025 at 7:54 AM
🖋️ "Shared Ownership, as it currently exists, is not a genuinely affordable or secure route to home ownership. It has been marketed as a stepping stone but has in practice become a trap for many people like me."
Written evidence submitted to the Housing Committee.
Written evidence submitted to the Housing Committee.
Reposted
Affordability of Home Ownership inquiry
🆕 Our written evidence to the House of Commons Housing Committee inquiry has been published.
#SharedOwnership
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
🆕 Our written evidence to the House of Commons Housing Committee inquiry has been published.
#SharedOwnership
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
committees.parliament.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Affordability of Home Ownership inquiry
🆕 Our written evidence to the House of Commons Housing Committee inquiry has been published.
#SharedOwnership
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
🆕 Our written evidence to the House of Commons Housing Committee inquiry has been published.
#SharedOwnership
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
Reposted
Shared owners who sublet will not be penalised if their sale falls through.
But the Govt must do more to help victims of the building safety crisis. This should include changes to unfair RICS valuation rules and funding for buybacks of unsaleable flats.
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/shared-...
But the Govt must do more to help victims of the building safety crisis. This should include changes to unfair RICS valuation rules and funding for buybacks of unsaleable flats.
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/shared-...
Shared owners exempt from 12-month ban on re-letting homes after eviction
Shared owners will be exempt under the Renters’ Rights Bill that will ban landlords from re-letting a property for a certain period after evicting a tenant.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Shared owners who sublet will not be penalised if their sale falls through.
But the Govt must do more to help victims of the building safety crisis. This should include changes to unfair RICS valuation rules and funding for buybacks of unsaleable flats.
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/shared-...
But the Govt must do more to help victims of the building safety crisis. This should include changes to unfair RICS valuation rules and funding for buybacks of unsaleable flats.
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/shared-...
Reposted
📤 Our next email update will focus on subletting and buybacks.
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork
October 22, 2025 at 9:39 AM
📤 Our next email update will focus on subletting and buybacks.
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork
Are you a shared owner?
Join us ⬇️
🔗 tinyurl.com/SharedOwnersNetwork