Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We’re asking everyone who lives in the two buildings to share their experience. Your feedback will help us decide whether to invest in major building work or demolish the buildings.

We’re looking into the long-term future of all our high-rise buildings. Some of the high-rise blocks need significant investment and therefore we are considering if we invest in them or look at different options. To make this decision we look at a lot of different factors but hearing the views of the people who live in the buildings is a big part of this.

No decision has been made around the future of these buildings. Our Board will make the final decision, taking into account:

• Feedback from people living in the buildings
• Information from the independent building surveys carried out last year
• The cost of any work that may be needed

At the moment we think that investment might not be the right option. But we need to hear from you first.

Based on the information from last year’s independent building surveys, the options for the building are, 

• spend the money needed to bring the buildings up to safety requirements 
• demolish the buildings and then longer-term redevelopment of the land
• demolish the building and sell the land. 

There might be other options we haven’t considered. We’re open to other suggestions throughout this process.

During the consultation, we will explain why we’re asking for your views and what the consultation is about. There will be lots of opportunities for you to share your feedback in ways which work best for you, 

As part of the consultation, there are some questions for you to answer, and you can choose how to take part:

• Complete it online using a link we’ll text to you
• Speak to us in person when we visit your home

We’ll also hold drop-in sessions where you can ask questions. We’ll listen carefully to what you tell us and record your views, which will help inform the future decisions of the buildings. 

We'll also keep you updated throughout the consultation and share the overall feedback we receive.

No. Taking part is entirely your choice.

However, we hope you'll share your views because they are important to us. Your feedback will help us understand what matters most to the people who live in the buildings.

If you don't take part, we won't be able to consider your views when decisions are made.

If you'd prefer to give feedback in a different way, please let us know and we'll do our best to help.

Yes, support will be available during the consultation. We want everyone to be able to take part, so if you need extra help, information in a different format, or one to one support, you can tell us and we will do our best to support you.

No. This consultation is about the long-term future of the buildings.

We will continue to carry out any essential building safety work while people are living in Ogden House and Kelvin House. Keeping residents safe is always our highest priority.

The buildings will need significant investment over the coming years, and some of that work relates to building safety requirements. However, the decision about the future of the buildings involves many factors and is about much more than building safety alone.

Yes. Your home is safe, and we carry out regular checks to make sure the buildings remain safe.

These include:

• Fire risk assessments
• Structural surveys
• Electrical testing
• Gas safety checks

We'll continue to carry out all necessary safety checks and repairs while decisions are being made about the long-term future of the buildings.

Yes. Although you own your home, your views are just as important to us.

As someone with a long-term interest in the building, your experiences and feedback will help us understand what matters most to residents and inform future decisions about Ogden House and Kelvin House. We encourage all leaseholders to take part in the consultation and share their views.

Yes. If you need to move because of a decision we make about the future of the buildings, we will work closely with you to find a suitable new home that meets your needs.

We'll talk to you about where you'd like to live and help you find another Incommunities home in an area that works for you. 

If you'd prefer to move to a different housing provider, we can help you complete the Bradford Homes application form, which gives you access to homes from other housing associations. While we can't guarantee that another housing provider will offer you a home, we'll support you throughout the process.

You won't be expected to move until suitable accommodation has been found.

Yes, if there is a suitable vacancy in one of our retirement living schemes, and you meet the eligibility criteria, you would be able to view the property and decide whether you'd like to accept it.

We will support you through the process.

• We will arrange and pay for a removal company to carry out the move within the Bradford district, so you would not need to worry about lifting or moving furniture yourself.
• For customers who rent from us and have lived in your home for at least 12 months, you will also receive a minimum of £8,100 in compensation to help with the costs and disruption of moving.
• You will have a dedicated contact supporting you before, during and after the move to help make the process as smooth as possible.

At this stage, no decision has been made, so we don't yet know how long any work would take.

Once a decision has been made, we'll explain the timescales and next steps in full.

After the consultation, we'll share the feedback we've received and let you know the decision made by our Board.

You'll also have access to a dedicated Customer Liaison Officer who can answer questions and provide support throughout the process.

Once a decision has been made, we will work closely with customers to understand everyone’s needs and agree the best way to carry out the work. This will include meetings and workshops with the contractor so customers can ask questions and understand what will happen.

There will also be a dedicated Customer Liaison Officer available throughout the work to help with any questions, concerns or support you may need.

Our aim would be to complete the work while customers remain in their homes wherever possible. Moving everyone out while the work takes place would be very difficult, but the specialist contractors who carry out this type of work are experienced in working safely in occupied homes and supporting customers throughout the process.

No decisions have been made yet about the exact work that would take place.

If investment is approved, we'll discuss the plans in detail with everyone affected.

However, the main reason for the work would be structural and safety led, not home improvements.

This has not yet been decided as it would need further consideration after the consultation has taken place. 

At the minute, based on the review that we’ve done, the options for the building are, 

• spend the money needed to bring the buildings up to safety requirements 
• demolish the buildings and then longer-term redevelopment of the land
• demolish the building and sell the land. 

There might be other options we haven’t considered. We’re open to other suggestions throughout this process.

If a decision is made that results in homes becoming empty, appropriate security measures would be put in place.

These measures would help protect empty properties while also ensuring the safety and security of any customers who remain living in the building during the process.

If the decision is made to demolish then you would have to move. We would support you in this and it would be our duty to find you an alternative home that meets your needs. There will also be a dedicated Customer Liaison Officer available throughout the work to help with any questions, concerns or support you may need.