'Hounslow Homes used threat of eviction to silence my complaint'

A council tenant in Brentford claims he was threatened with eviction by Hounslow Homes in an attempt to silence him over a complaint.

Joseph Jones was issued with an eviction notice in 2012 over what the housing association claimed were rent arrears of just over £600.

But proceedings were conveniently dropped when Mr Jones agreed to sign a 'gagging clause' in return for compensation over his complaint.

The confidentiality agreement signed by Mr Jones means he cannot reveal details of the complaint, but he says it could affect heating charges for more than 500 households on the Brentford Towers estate where he lives.

"Just prior to my complaint being considered by a council members panel, Hounslow Homes said it would resolve these matters, compensate me and cease its eviction proceedings," said Mr Jones.

"However, Hounslow Homes said this was dependent upon me withdrawing my complaint and signing an agreement containing a gagging clause. As I was under threat of eviction at the time, I felt I had no choice other than to comply with its conditions.

"It appears Hounslow Homes may have purposely intended to use this action as a way of coercing me into withdrawing my complaint."

getwestlondon has seen evidence the unpaid bills were actually for heating charges, which Mr Jones had been deliberately withholding.

He says tenants cannot be evicted over unpaid utility bills, which is why Hounslow Homes claimed the sum was rent arrears.

When Mary Macleod wrote to Hounslow Homes on Mr Jones' behalf, the Brentford & Isleworth MP received a copy of a letter sent to the complainant. However, the paragraph referring to eviction proceedings had been omitted from the copy she was sent.

Mr Jones is now appealing to Hounslow Council to reopen its investigation into his initial complaint, as he claims Hounslow Homes failed to keep the promises it made back in 2012.

A council spokesman said: "We are trying to resolve this matter with Mr Jones. However, we cannot comment any further on this matter at this stage."

A report published last week told how former bosses at Hounslow Homes had cultivated a 'climate of fear' which prevented staff speaking out about corruption within the organisation.

Hounslow Homes was responsible for managing some 16,000 properties across the borough but is being wound up by the council, which is taking back control of its housing stock.