Hello Marion,

I hope you are well. I'm an Ivybridge resident and I visited the Langdale Centre today (July 1st) to report some problems with the standard of cleaning and general repair of communal areas in my block on Ivybridge. The block concerned is 112-122 at the Tesco end. I'm also newly appointed block representative for the Ivybridge URA so I am writing on behalf of the entire block with whom I have good relations.
The primary problem is that the communal areas of the block are desperately in need of painting. I don't know when it was last done but I'm guessing it was a few years ago. I understand that budgets are tight, particluarly in the midst of the credit crunch, but failing a redecoration, the block is desperately in need of a proper clean.
The problem doesn't seem to be that the current residents are particularly dirty, although we do have litter strewn around occasionally, rather that the block is not cleaned to any reasonable standard. I have lived here over a year and the vast majority of the stains have been here since I moved in and no-one has ever attempted to clean them. I'm aware that cleaners do come occasionally but I'm at a loss as to know what it is they're cleaning! The walls in particular are covered with smears and sprays of dirt, in places the paint has peeled off completely and the floor is badly stained and in need of deep clean. Perhaps the walls could be wiped down even as that would offer some improvement.
We are evidently very unhappy with this state of affairs, particularly since we do pay for these services, or lack of! And some contractor is obviously being paid to "clean" to a very low, and at most times invisible, standard. I have attached some photograps that I took today as an illustration of the condition.
I'm sure you'll agree that it does not make our block a pleasant place to live and it is particularly embarrassing upon receiving visitors when our homes themselves are clean and tidy. This is not fair to any of the residents who pay good money to Hounslow Homes to look after the upkeep of the block.
Finally, could you please let me know the cleaning schedule for our block, and the cleaning specifications if there are any, so I can monitor if the cleaners are doing their job according to contract? Unfortunately, there have been several doubts expressed to me by neighbours who do not believe the block is cleaned as frequently as it should be, never mind well enough. I hope to hear from you soon regarding the cleaning schedule and also with a response as to whether our block will be redecorated in the near future. If not, we'd like to know why not as the current state of repair is unacceptable.

Kind regards,

JB

Thanks JB I will look over your block and chase this up.
Regards Tony (Chair URA)