Your questions answered

This Q&A is designed for tenants of Ujima housing association following the completion of their transfer to L&Q

1. I am worried I may lose my home as a result of the transfer to L&Q.

This will not happen so long as you have a proper tenancy agreement and are keeping to its terms. The transfer of ownership of all of Ujima's homes to London and Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q) means your rights as a resident are guaranteed and that your home is secure. L&Q are one of the largest landlords in London and also one of the best performing landlords. L&Q are determined to improve the service you receive although this may take some time.

2. Can I expect the rents to increase?

Housing associations can only increase rents in line with a formula set down by government. This protection will apply to you as a tenant of L&Q in the same way it does at present.

3. I was very happy with Ujima as my landlord. Why is this transfer necessary?

Ujima was in serious financial difficulties and had broken the terms of its loans from various banks, who have taken action to reclaim their money. The Housing Corporation intervened to make sure that tenants are protected and you continue to have the right to stay in your home. It is also important that you have a financially strong landlord that can provide you with good quality management. The transfer to L&Q ensures that your rights as a tenant are not put at risk by Ujima's financial problems.

4. Ujima was a black association. How do I know that L&Q will be able to give me the service I need?

L&Q has served London's diverse communities for many years. We have experience of working with many local communities in the areas in which Ujima had homes and good levels of tenant satisfaction. Currently L&Q has more BME residents and staff than Ujima did and we are very confident we will work with the Ujima's former staff to ensure that good quality services are delivered to all of Ujima's residents.

5. Why wasn't a black-led housing association allowed to step in?

The Housing Corporation considered all the options for Ujima's future. Because of the scale of financial problems faced by Ujima, only a solution involving a very large housing association with considerable financial capacity - like L&Q - was appropriate.

6. If this is such a good idea why did the shareholders of Ujima vote against it?

The shareholders considered an earlier proposal from L&Q to bring Ujima's business into L&Q. The majority of shareholders voted in favour of the proposals (11 votes against 5) but to be effective 75% of the shareholders needed to support the proposals. We understand that the 5 who rejected the proposals did so because they wanted Ujima to continue as an independent organisation. However that is just not possible because the association does not have sufficient money to pay its bills. Lenders to the association have taken action against it to protect their debts, and the Housing Corporation had to step in to protect the interests of tenants. The transfer of Ujima's business to L&Q will ensure that financial problems can be addressed and tenants’ rights to remain in their homes are protected.

7. Why doesn't the government provide more money to keep Ujima going?

Ujima was a charitable housing association. It has received considerable government funding – over £300m – to build new homes. However the current financial position has come about because of the way in which the association has been managed, not a lack of Government support.

8. I've been waiting for my repairs to be fixed, what happens now?

For the time being services continue to be delivered unchanged and you should continue to contact us in the same way as before. L&Q already has some of its senior managers in working with us and over time will take over the running of the repairs system. They will communicate with you any changes that happen as and when they do. For the time being you should continue to call the dedicated Ujima phone line to report repairs 020 8733 0733 and in the short term repairs will continue to be carried out by UMS, the maintenance contractor.

9. What about major/cyclical repairs? Will L&Q continue/make good on Ujima's commitments to tenants on major planned maintenance work or will there be a delay whilst they conduct their own surveys of the properties or prioritise against demands on their existing stock?

Work that has already been contracted by Ujima will continue and L&Q will assume responsibility for bringing all of Ujima’s former stock up to the decent homes standard by 2010. As a large and successful housing association, L&Q have the necessary financial and management resources to deliver against these commitments.

10. I have a complaint going through the complaints process at Ujima, what happens now?

Your complaint will continue to be dealt with by former Ujima staff in line with existing policies. L&Q will communicate with you if and when this situation changes.

11. Who do I pay my rent to?

Your rent will be collected in the same method L&Q will let you know if and when there are any changes to this arrangement. Please continue paying your rent as you do currently.

12. I am in arrears. What should I do?

You should discuss the matter urgently with your current housing officer. L&Q will contact you if and when this situation changes.

13. I am buying a home from Ujima what will happen to this?

You should continue to contact the same person as before. L&Q will contact you if and when the situation changes.

14. I am on the waiting list for rehousing. Will I have more opportunities to move? Will I have to apply again and lose credit for the years I have already spent waiting?

In time you will be able to join the L&Q transfer scheme for the time being however the existing Ujima scheme will continue to operate. As a much larger landlord L&Q has more properties and a programme of home extensions and conversions that are designed to improve the prospects of tenants being rehoused and they will communicate more about that at a later date.

15. Will my Housing Officer change?

In the short term your housing staff will stay the same. Should there be any changes to your housing officer or other staff in the future you will be informed.

16. I live in a supported housing scheme and I get a lot of extra support from my Scheme Manager. What will happen to me under L&Q?

Ujima's former staff will transfer to L&Q and while no firm decisions have yet been made, it is likely that current staff will continue to provide services to their present customers. Any changes will be communicated to you if and when they happen.

17. What will happen to my housing benefit payments?

HB should be unchanged by the transfer. L&Q will discuss handling of housing benefit with individual councils and will let you know if there is anything that you need to do should changes occur in the future.

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