[Clare Heyes]

I have a few charities with the Co-op Bank and a couple with CAF. Both are OK and both allow dual online approvals although both have had issues with software “upgrades” recently which have caused chaos and taken a week or so to fix. Would not recommend Barclays who are a nightmare to deal with.

[Clare Heyes]

Yep, done it with a few charities. The main question is, have you taken grant funding from local or central government? If not is is really easy to deregister following the toolkit provided by the AA.

You have to remain a member of the Independent Housing Ombudsman service and the complaints return is more taxing than any compliance with the RSH!

[Clare Heyes]

I have had that at my almshouses. There is a lot to consider here – does the resident pay for their own utilities for example. It also depends on whether the guest has their own bedroom. If not, they must be asked to leave as having someone sleeping in living rooms is just not good for anyone. The other thing to consider is that, if the resident in in receipt of HB then their benefits may be affected by having someone staying for so long.

We have threatened residents with ending their appointments to the almshouse if unwanted or overstaying guests persist. That usually gets residents to move their friends on.

[Clare Heyes]

I hear you! I am in the same position, Clerk to 2 dozen charities but expected to do the qualification for the one that is an RSL at the age of 64! It is not going to happen. When the time comes I will give up that charity to someone from a housing association who has the qualification, undoing decades of almshouse experience in one fell swoop! I wish the AA had come down on the side of experienced clerks rather than RSH……

[Clare Heyes]

The Renters Rights Act says that residents are entitled to have a pet unless there is an exceptional reason not to. Whilst we are not subject to this Act my Trustees are taking a view that if residents have a private garden then it is difficult to say no. With regard to a service animal you are on a sticky wicket with regards to disability discrimination. I would ask for some sort of proof that it is a service dog – there must be some certification not just that it barks when the door bell rings!
Am interested to hear different views on this tricky subject.

[Clare Heyes]

We borrowed £800.000 from Charity Bank – Carolyn Sims is fantastic!

[Clare Heyes]

I am glad you posted this – I have just taken on five new almshouses in the vicinity of Stansted airport and will be adding a clause to their Appointment letters to forbid this.

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