The new IRS System will cost Council Tenants 89p a week, which will start from the April following installation. This 89p is subject to a rise by inflation plus 0.5% each year. This service charge is covered by Housing Benefit.
However the Leaseholders will pay a charge which is typically in the range from £250 to £550. There will also be a small annual maintenance charge.
The full document that has the above information can be found in the following link:
IRS FAQs October 2009
IS THAT A GOOD DEAL FOR THE LEASEHOLDERS?
We asked Gareth Chew, Capital Service Charge Officer, a few questions regarding the IRS system. Please see the questions and answers below:
QUESTION 1: Will the residents be able to receive signal from the Hotbird 8, 9 satellites (13.0E)?
ANSWER: Yes, the Hotbird dish will be positioned at 13.0E
QUESTION 2: Will it allow residents to receive Freeview HD and Freesat HD?
ANSWER: The system will allow residents to received Freeview HD and Freesat HD, providing that an authentic Set top box/receiver is being used. I have been informed that there are some models available on-line which claim to receive UK HD, but do not work.
QUESTION 3: What are the limitations of the system? For example will all the 284 flats on the Curnock estate be able to watch the same satellite channel at the same time? Any other limitations?
ANSWER: All residents can watch same Terrestrial channels at same time if they have built in Freeview or Freeview set top boxes. Sky and Free Sat will require Set top Boxes to access viewing. These can be watched at the same time as well.
QUESTION 4: From your documents it is clear that the Council Tenants will pay only £46.26 a year while the unfortunate leaseholders will have to pay up to £550 plus a small annual maintenance charge.
a. How small is this annual maintenance charge (i.e. £2, £5 or more)?
b. What does the maintenance charge cover?
c. How quickly will the contractor fix a possible fault if the IRS system is implemented?
d. What are the penalties when the contractor does not fix the fault within the agreed time?
e. Does the cable inside the leaseholders’ properties “belong” to Camden Council or to the leaseholders? Who will be responsible for the cable inside the property if something goes wrong? Any costs?
ANSWER:
a. The Council does not have a maintenance contractor in place for IRS at this time. The system will be in a defects liability period for 12 months
b. See a.
c. See a.
d. See a.
e. The socket inside residents properties is part of the system therefore it would be the councils responsibility to fix.
QUESTION 5: What do I have to do if I do not want to receive the services of the IRS? Is there a formal procedure? What are my rights?
ANSWER: According to your lease the Council has to provide you with a TV signal. Unfortunately no resident can opt out of the system, in 2012 when the government switches off the analogue system you will need the system to receive a digital signal.
QUESTION 6: Until now Camden Council was instructing residents to install cable TV if they wanted to receive an analogue or digital channels. Now Camden Council want us to throw away our investments in equipment and cancelled our contracts with the cable or satellite companies. Who will pay the cancellation penalties?
ANSWER: Residents can stay with Virgin Media if they wish. This system can be installed and not used. If the resident then decides not to subscribe to Virgin they will be able to receive TV signal. Camden will not pay for cancellation charges. The IRS system only gives residents access to the Astrasat (Sky) and Hotbird dishes, residents would still need to subscribe to for example sky if they wish
As a feedback to the IRS system we sent some comments:
COMMENT 1 This IRS system is overpriced especially during the recession when most people might have different priorities such as buying FOOD or clothes.
REPLY: The government has decided to change from analogue to digital TV, therefore the Council is carrying out these works to be digitally ready for 2012. Also there is a clause in your Lease that says that the Council is required to ensure that your property is able to receive television signals.
COMMENT 2 The cost of implementing the IRS is huge for the leaseholders since if it is done privately it will cost less than £250 including the satellite dish, the labour and configuration.
REPLY: The Council investigated different options and found that IRS was the best option at the time. The executive has approved the installation of the system. Also Leaseholders are require to request permission to erect satellite dishes, failure to do so may constituent a breach of their Lease.
COMMENT 3 The IRS system would NOT allow residents to record two channels at the same time in contrast with a private customised installation.
REPLY: Extra sockets will be required to provide multi-room. This will enable residents to record two channels at the same time. Two Set Top Boxes will be needed to achieve this.
COMMENT 4 Many people already have digital aerial OR Sky Digital OR Cable OR Satellite . Some have all the services and with much smaller cost than the IRS system.
REPLY: As previously mentioned, under the terms of your lease the Council has to provide the property with television signals, and although residents may already receive this service from a third-party provider, it does not fulfil our duty under the terms of your Lease. Also, those residents who may already have satellite dishes, and have not requested written permission, may be in breach of the terms of their Lease or Tenancy Agreement.
COMMENT 5 The deal is perfect for council tenants since it will be free for them but £550 is a lot of money for a service that might not be necessary.
REPLY: As you have stated in you first set of questions (4) tenants are paying 87p per week for the system, therefore they are also contributing to the installation. The system is necessary as the analogue system will be switched off in 2012.