Aster Group Avis 

after waiting 13 years we finally got a new kitchen well almost we had the plans all was well but we found out that acording to the company we cant have our fridge under a worksurface hence only half a worksurface what a joke a small minority of workers ruin it for the decent guys that care and do a brilliant job

Hi,
Aster changed communal doors to our flat block along with various other blocks in the area.
The doors have been complained about by several residents due to there excessive weight.
We have received written correspondence that the doors would be adjusted but this turned out as not possible.
We then were told the contractor had fitted the wrong doors and would therefore be changed at their expense.
Now after months of complaining, a Senior surveyor has stated the doors are suitable with no regards to the health & safety of residents and visitors to the properties.
On top of this, the information was passed on to me by HCC that the decision had been made (3rd party)
This I find disgusting as I would expect Aster to contact me direct and not delegate their responsibilities to another body.
Needless to say, other residents are still awaiting the results of their complaints.
No doubt, they will just have to hear it by word of mouth.

Absolutely horror landlords.
Badly managed. Too many surveyors. Take too long to repair serious leaks. No emergency teams to support disrepair or major repairs tasks. Crazy 2 working day response!
Regret moving into their property.
Hoping I will be listened to now when I report repairs.
It took their Principle Surveyor to sort it out. Sleepless nights and displaced over their bad judgements to possible Decant, to Disrepair Claim now! Lost my amenities! Risk to health!

Trying ok sell our property and get out of shared ownership is horrible. My advice is don't go with aster and if u have no choice never go with shared ownership....granted yes your rent will be reduced but don't try and get iut of it by selling.youll spend months on end handing in all relevant information for them to just completely ignore ore u no updates ever untill u physically demand a response to which then you'll be told that you are the problem nit them.

Luckily I am not a tenant but my experience with this association was horrific. They masquerade as a charity that looks after their tenants, which going from the reviews and from what I have heard about them is not true. I owned an ex council property that had been sold with a clause in the deeds that stated permission had to be granted to extend or build anything in the garden. I obtained planning for a single dwelling, to build and move into not to sell on, and they charged me £33k for the privilege, plus a valuation fee and solicitors fees, which in total came to £36k. Yes I expected to pay something, but that is astronomical, even my solicitor could not believe what they charged. The whole process was dragged out and very stressful and their staff were uncaring. Please don’t think that I am comparing this to the horror that some tenants have been through, I’m not, but it just goes to show how greedy they are, and if they have charged me that, just one case, where is the money going, because it doesn’t appear to be spent on looking after their tenants, which was the justification for their ‘ransom’ fee!
Updated 15.11.22. I emailed as requested, had a standard ‘your email has been received and we aim to reply within 2 days’. That was on 2nd November and I’ve not received a reply.
ANOTHER UPDATE 6.12.22. STILL NO REPLY FROM ASTER!

Really pleased with the repair to my crumbling soakaway. Friendly, informative operative who did a clean professional job.

I have repeatedly called aster about disrepair of the property which I moved into in June 2022.
The bungalow is very damp, we are sleeping in damp beds, our belongings are often covered in mould. Rats are running up the cavities of the walls and attic. The windows are all blown ( over 30 years old) and no longer fit for purpose. The roof needs replacing as it is sagging.
I call Aster at least 3 times a week as I still have not had any calls back from the relevant teams. They do not uphold their policies, and treat their tenants with disregard. Absolutely disgusting!
I would like to speak to someone at the head office but call handlers will not give me the number. I have sent emails of complaints and still no reply. I am at my wits end with it all. The stress and sleepless nights are impacting my work and daily life. There must be someone at aster that has some empathy and get things done. Next stop, legal action.

Sarah Richards is a true asset to Aster Group, words simply can not describe how much so!

Her hard work, efficiency, attention to detail, client care, just to list a few qualities, shine like the brightest of stars in Sarah.

We have been in Shared Ownership with Aster since 2017, starting our journey in a beautiful flat, recently climbing the ladder to a stunning house.

Our most recent move has been the most stressful, overwhelming, challenging, mentally & physically draining experience of our lives. This was due to an extremely bad decision in choosing solicitors for our purchase.

Furthermore Sarah was really there for us every single step of the way, Sarah went above and beyond to be there for us throughout the entire process.

We would particularly like to mention that we had Sarah’s full support throughout the entire process of exchange / completion day on 15/09/22. Without Sarah this day would not have run smoothly, we were at great risk of being homeless, again due to bad decision making choosing solicitors.
Sarah saved the day making a true miracle happen, we moved in to our new house successfully on exchange / completion day as planned.

Thank you so very much for supporting a family with 2 very young children, Sarah, we will be forever grateful for everything you have done and continue to do. You are simply the best, we love Aster Group!

From,
The Adams Family

back in July this year I had the awful experience of being told I had to rehome my dog by my area housing officer for reasons I would like to keep private I was told that I didn't have permission to have a pet as my last one had died the one I moved in with, but it wasn't explained very clear when we moved in so I thought it would be ok I had a visit from one of the officers with the dog warden it was explained to them that my dog wears a halti lead and a chain lead to go out even if it's just to the garden and they were happy with that, so I was given the ok to keep him then as i said i got a letter to say rehome or go to court so I decided to make a complaint at the end of stage 1 I was told I had to still find him another home so I started stage 2 complaint explaining why I didn't agree with my response from the 1st so I emailed with all that I thought was wrong and then I got a phone call from one of the higher officers telling me that after reading what I said was wrong that she completely agreed with me things were not done as they should have been I was also told that if I had taken it to the ombudsman which I was prepared to do they would have lost but I must say that they were very fair all the way through and it was all resolved pretty quick but people were saying it will take ages I can't thank the top person who listened and understood what i was saying also they are now proceeding to tell their officers to make sure things are explained to tenants when they move in so thank you again aster for listening

Unhelpful, non caring housing association, if you want help dont bother asking here

Really poor housing association. Ripping off vulnerable people and charging extortionate rents. Horrifying antisocial behaviour in Witney Oxfordshire. Ridiculous procrastination by aster. Don’t be fooled by contracts saying antisocial behaviour won’t be tolerated. They don’t care

Had subcontractor out today to fix a worktop he had ripped the flooring that I've just replaced due to a flood as aster wouldn't bought in March but only just put down as had to save again to get someone put it down I rang begged aster to put down as jm a cleaner single I haven't got money I got hold of the sub contractor they said tell aster they also missed 40 centimeters if work top as it was missed off there sheet they had the worktop as it comes in meters but said missed off our sheet phone aster I phoned aster they said phone contractors I phoned the contractors they said aster needs to re order I said you have it they said but not on our sheet

We have been waiting OVER 8 MONTHS now to move into a shared ownership property in Badsho Lea, Farnham. We have had to pay massive amounts of money for storage, airbnbs etc and we haven’t got an address now to put down for jobs so basically a whole year of our lives have been completely wasted. We get the occasional email every month or so and it’s a new excuse every time. They try and use complex language to disguise their own wrongdoings so we don’t understand what they are talking about. It was meant to be JANUARY 2022 that we were moving in. Then it got delayed to MAY, then JULY, then AUGUST and now he’s saying “best case scenario late September”. That got me thinking - what September is he talking about? September 2022? 2023? 2080? Who knows, all I know is that we have been constantly lied to and manipulated and almost a whole year of our lives have been completely wasted and of course they won’t do anything about the situation in terms of helping us (offering us a temporary property until it’s actually ready to move into). Me and my family are all hard workers and law abiding citizens and we don’t deserve to be treated like the way they are treating us (scum of the earth). Personally, I would stay WELL CLEAR of this suspicious housing association. Absolutely disgusting

I am growing more and more disillusioned with aster who are not taking responsibility for sub standard equipment and bathroom furniture in our house. So far they have been fantastic helping us to fight our cause against the cowboy builders but unfortunately as soon as you are out of one year they could not give a monkeys and fob you off. If you are considering shared ownership with them bare this in mind because if you can’t trust your part owners of your house who can you trust.

Just want to say thank you to super helpful plumber who went extra mile today fixing our broken loo.
The loo he came to fit it was faulty and he went extra mile to collect new one from miles away from us, then drive back and fitted it. So helpful and kind.

Many thanks.

I had my boiler serviced by an Aster Group engineer today. It was the annual safety check and the engineer not only undertook a full safety and performance check but also adjusted some of the heating settings and advised me in words that could be understood how I could reduce cost/usage I also subscibe to Aster's Connected Living alarm call service which includes a carbon monoxide monitor which I pay for in my package. I was delighted that this was also checked and has been logged on to my personal data at Aster HQ so a truly 5star and fully comprehensive and may I say intelligent and responsible approach to 'customer service'.

Have been trying since January to buy our shared ownership home with Aster. There have been delays non stop for reasons I am at a loss to comprehend. Plans still not correct after nearly 6 months of waiting. Our mortgage offer is about to expire ( 6 month validity) when we then have to renegotiate and pay a much higher interest rate. We have constantly had to chase for an update the whole process has been a nightmare. We have had our furniture in storage for 3 months at 50% rate and now have to pay double as the initial offer has expired - more expense. We are now going to have to look at renting again - the next phase on our development has just been released and am sure they will get to move in before us. Buy with anyone but Aster is my advise! I would love Aster to contact me!

Please do not move into a aster group home as they leave u high and dry. I have bad mold and asbestos in my home a broken toilet that I CAN'T use and had the gas people come out for a boiler check now my boiler doesnt work. Aster tell me there nothing they can do till weeks away. Avoid please

On the bank holiday I found a water leak behind my cooker . The very nice young man came out as an emergency call out and fixed it lucky he did. it would of been a mains burst in the house . He was very professional and very polite .and cleaned any mess up he had made .Thank you .

Heating Engineer Operative completed the repair to the hallway radiator and checked complete heating system in a very professional manner and provided an excellent service.