About us
Arneway Housing
Arneway Housing Co-operative is a Government Registered Housing Association founded in 1979 it’s a non-profit organisation with charitable status and receives public money to help provide homes for people in need of housing.
We work with statutory & voluntary organisations providing high quality, cost effective accommodation & support services appropriate to tenants who have particular needs.
Our aim is to provide well maintained affordable housing to our members and in return, with guidance the members help run the Co-operative which has evolved over many years due to past goodwill. Everyone who becomes a member owes a duty to those who follow and they should be proud for what they done.
The Board
The Board consists of Members who have a genuine interest to help and assist the Co-op maintain the objectives of common ownership, maintain financial objectives of keeping the business viable and maintaining people with skills who are committed to the Co-op. The Board must also meet the Legal and Governance and Compliance regulations as set down by the Housing and Communities Agency and the Financial Conduct Authority. It is important that all members who offer themselves for Board membership have specific business skills and are prepared to attend training courses to acquire these skills, so that the Board can operate effectively and meet its various objectives. The Board may also co-opt members to fill any deficiencies or gaps in the Board. The Board will normally elect a Chair who will have a casting vote.
Members who wish to be part of the Board
In more recent times many The Board has realised that it is essential to have committed members who are willing to learn new skills and give up their time to attend board meetings. Although it is time consuming the work of the board helps enormously to the effective running of the Co-op and is part of the invaluable reference in making sensible and committed decisions for all members of the Co-op. Conflicts are not tolerated and every member wishing to become a board member must first sign the Code of Conduct and abide by the terms of that Code. If not, then that member will be asked to stand down and encouraged to attend relevant training to help him or her become an effective board member.
New opportunities
Over the years Board Members have gained invaluable skills and knowledge in learning how to contribute towards the operations of a Co-op and in particular a social housing Co-op. There are many diverse areas from which to acquire specific knowledge, for example, the preparation and drafting a business plan, a budget, a Profit/Loss Statement, maintenance and building construction, refurbishment plans, stock condition surveys, computing, a range of professional services, housing management systems, all the legal requirements related to managing a Housing Association and meeting all the compliance and governance objectives. Over time all Board Members acquire considerable business skills and commercial acumen which has led to many Board Members gaining enhanced employment as a result of their commitment to the Co-op.
The Co-op’s aim is to provide well maintained affordable housing to its members and in return, with guidance, the members help to run the Co-operative which has evolved over many years due to past goodwill. Everyone who becomes a member owes a duty to those who follow and they should be proud for what has been achieved.
Meet the Team
Duncan Aitkins MCIH; MAPM
Housing Services Director
Duncan has been with Arneway for over 28 years and has seen the Co-op grow and flourish into a high performing social housing provider in the London Borough of Brent for single homeless in the Borough, which is now returned to developing again with a small development in Brent to be completed in 2024.
Duncan has enormous experience in social housing; he also was a previous Chair for 9 years (and a Trustee for 20 years) of LATCH a church -based Charity for single homeless individuals residing in the London Borough of Bromley. Currently he is also a Trustee of Kairos Community Trust and Bromley Borough Foodbank. He has been a lecturer in Management and Business Studies and a private Tutor for business studies students.
His qualifications include MA (CST); BA(Hons); PgDipMgt Studies; PgDip Econ; PGCE; HEDIPHsg Studies; PgDipSocial Enterprise; and FE Teaching Cert; having studied in 9 different Universities/Educational establishments in the UK his wife says he is perpetual student!!
Judith Mascarenhas
Maintenance Coordinator
Judith Mascarenhas is the Maintenance Coordinator for Arneway. She began part-time employment with the co-op as a personal assistant to Duncan Aitkins, the Housing Services Director, in 2005 working 3 days a week.
She very quickly got to know the co-op and its members and learnt of its policies, processes, and procedures. She also began taking an interest in property matters, working closely with members and contractors to improve the condition of the dwellings.
Judith was appointed to the full-time permanent role of Maintenance Coordinator in 2009, with responsibility for coordinating minor and major repairs, gas safety, asset management through regular inspections of dwellings and communal parts and assisting members on a broad range of property related matters from lost keys to emergencies. Since her appointment she has developed the role to include liaison with statutory authorities and external bodies on building safety and regulatory matters and dealing with adjoining building owners on party-wall and neighbourly matters.
She is a certified housing professional, having been awarded the CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing. Additionally, she is a qualified Fire Risk Assessor and holds several certificates covering a broad range of property and housing management subjects including Fire Safety, Damp Mould and Condensation, and Hoarding Awareness.
Judith is very passionate about alleviating homelessness which she shares with Arneway Housing Cooperative given that it is at the core of its mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. You must be residing in the London Borough of Brent for minimum of 2 years; you be registered with Brent Council’s LOCATA housing waiting list; and you must be single and have no children or partner.
Please always ensure you read your Tenancy Agreement carefully before signing the document and do not lose the document. It is a legal document and there are important conditions attached to the Agreement that effect your Tenancy. If you are unsure contact the Office and it will be explained to you.
This should have been explained to you when you moved in. If you need reminding please contact the office on 0208 965 5537 and we will be able to assist.
You must advise your housing officer. Please read the section Financial Hardship in the problems section. Communicating with is essential or you risk losing your home.
If someone is causing a nuisance or disturbance and you think it is anti-social, please read our policies toward anti-social behaviour in the Day to Day section in Renting and also under the Problems heading in the same section.
The most up to date version of the Handbook appears in the Renting section and links to a .pdf copy.
If you need help or want to complain about something you think the Co-op is responsible for please contact the office on 0208 965 5537, you can also read information about these options in the Renting section under the heading problems.
Respect Line is an out of office hours responder engaged by the Co-op to assist you in the event of a problem you encounter after 5pm and before 9am every day, they are also you first port of call for assistance if you need assistance between 5pm Friday to 9am Monday. 0800 075 66 99
This is prohibited under the terms of your Tenancy Agreement. It will cause you serious problems if you allow anyone else to share you home. Please read carefully the sections in Conduct titled Rules. If you share your home you put all members of the Co-op at risk. We will always issues a Notice to Quit when we find occurrences of multiple occupancy or sub-letting.
Please reading the link under the heading security in the problems section of Renting on this website.
Refer to the repair link on the problems page in the renting section, it will explain who is responsible for what, please contact the office if you are unsure. 0208 965 5537.
You are responsible for checking and maintaining your smoke alarm.
No, this will increase the moisture in the air in your home and may lead to condensation and the growth of of mould spores, creating an unhealthy environment for you and those living near you. Read more in the Problem Section under the heading Condensation.
You will be expected to return your property in the condition you received the property when granted a Tenancy. The Co-op have the right to seek compensation from you if you have damaged the property on your departure.
If you think of anything that you think might help others, send us the question and we might add it here for others. Thank you for talking time to read this website.
Joining a WhatsApp Group
Below you can register for WhatsApp messaging from the office. Please ensure that the details match information we have on file.
WhatsApp Messaging Registration