A Simply Brilliant Landlord Vs The Truth

Why wouldn’t GreenSquareAccord want an accurate account of any residents meetings? Why aren’t they able to release minutes to meetings as agreed? Why when they do release an update does it contain no content? And how does this benefit this ‘simply brilliant’ landlord?

Not the first time…

It is very hard to trust anything GreenSquareAccord say. Their version of events can sometimes be used to hide their inability to meet agreed deadlines, their inability to carry out simple management tasks, and of course to cover their tracks and hide their mistakes. Sometimes they may even lie to themselves, remember when Ruth Cooke published an untruth?

What’s the latest ‘fib’?

As we continue to write up and publish the notes from the virtual meeting held between GreenSquareAccord and Oxford residents (yes you have to write your own meeting minutes when trying to resolve issues with this simply brilliant Housing Association) the first agenda point was their update on the windows and doors debacle, which of course they were unable to provide and promised to come back to all residents:

“We’ve had some very valid questions tonight, we don’t know what the answers are, frankly we are not going to BS you by giving you a load of stuff which is not right… We are not technicians, we are not window fitters… So, what I’m saying to you is, we don’t have that technical knowledge, but we will go away, and we will try and find the answers to those very reasonable questions that have been asked… What we’ll do is our best to get this information out to you. ”

- Claire Cook

Having not received any form of minutes or an update to these ‘very reasonable questions’ pressure was applied:

In a haste they did respond!

This email was sent and shared on LinkedIn on the 30th March and less than 24 hours later an update was sent to nearly all of the residents affected by this woeful issue.

And what is the problem with this email?

Firstly, the subject wasn't brought up, it was their second (after introductions) agenda point. As such and as reviewed here they should have come prepared.

Secondly, and here is where they try to offset what had been shared on LinkedIn:

We understand that this has been an on-going problem for a few years that has affected you and we want to get this work completed to the high standard you deserve. We'd promised to be in touch with you by today about the repairs which is why you are getting this email.

This has been ongoing for a few years, and although GreenSquareAccord can’t be trusted to complete work to anywhere near a high standard (a quick recap of the very easy to rectify bin store issue is proof of that) they didn’t promise to be in touch by this date. This is a direct response to the LinkedIn post.

Thirdly, GreenSquareAccord had promised this time that the work would be completed (or at least started) in the springtime, which unless I’m mistaken (having just checked I’m not) started on 20th March. The information we asked for was (but not exclusively); how long would it take to fit, how much notice would be given, what type of windows would be used, had the price increased since last year, would scaffolding be needed, etc. These are the points they needed to come back with!

Is this why GreenSquareAccord don’t share minutes?

Could be. Claire Cook who stated at the start of the meeting that:

"...we will make some notes and we will distribute them after the meeting, um but we don't give consent for this meeting to be recorded in anyway, visually or audibly, in audio..."

- Claire Cook

Yet she hasn’t shared any notes. The above missive only casts doubt on the one promise they did make, that work on the windows and patio doors would commence during the Spring time!

At least there was an apology of sorts:

Once again we are sorry for the delay and the on-going problems.

Even this is a little bit misleading as it implies that they’ve already apologised for this, which of course they haven’t. There are many examples to come from this meeting that highlight just what lengths GreenSquareAccord will go to to avoid apologising.

In conclusion

The reason GreenSquareAccord don’t want accurate notes being taken is it then holds them to account, and they must not be held accountable. If we’ve learnt anything from Ruth Cooke’s ambitious ‘simply brilliant’ plan it’s this - ensure GreenSquareAccord are never held accountable.

Rule one for all GreenSquareAccord residents

• Keep a record of all interactions; save all letters and emails, make notes during calls and meetings, if you need further information use a Subject Access Request, expect them to break promises and make excuses - take this advantage away from them.