Waiting times: A simple enquiry takes a minimum of six weeks to receive a reply--utterly unacceptable for a public body funded by taxpayers. Broken promises: I have spent 12 months trying to set up a direct-debit for my council tax. Despite multiple emails, and online forms, Brent still hasn't managed--nor even bothered--to do it. Disrespectful tone: After life threw me a curveball and I fell three months behind on payments, the council sent letters filled with language that was hostile, threatening, and frankly degrading. Their wording sits far below basic standards of courtesy, let alone "British values." Exploiting the uninformed: Brent serves a community with many newcomers to the UK who may not yet know their rights. Instead of guiding people, the council appears to rely on intimidation--an abuse of power that no public authority should tolerate. Lack of accountability: Local papers have already exposed performance issues at Brent, yet nothing changes. The culture of indifference--and sometimes outright contempt--toward residents persists. Bottom line: Brent Council is not fit for purpose in its current state. If you've had a similar experience, raise your voice. Don't be afraid to file a formal complaint. Only collective pressure will force Brent to treat residents with the respect we deserve. read more

AVOID BRENT COUNCIL IF YOU CAN. UNTRUSTWORTHY AND DECEITFUL COUNCIL. This council provided me with accommodation in the 020 7 telephone area from my temporary accommodation in Harrow 9 years ago so I do now really feel part of London. I've had a few sweeteners along the way such as winning expensive rugby tickets, a tour of Wembley Stadium, a fabulous day of White Water Rafting at the Olympic centre in Hertfordshire and just now a pair of expensive tickets to the very posh Christmas dinner and party for the Mayor of Brent which I enjoyed immensely. I've also won a £30 Marks & Spencer voucher from my own towerblock. The reception area of my towerblock take in courier packages for me which I find helpful and the estate cleaning lady, Kathleen does a fantastic job and I get on very well with her. You've got to watch Brent Council a bit however. I paid enough money to cover my first month's Council Tax one year with an accompanying phone call and instead of crediting the first month they just removed the amount from my entire bill so it was still due in the April which could have caused difficulty for me as I was on a long holiday. When my Australian partner bought me my flat under the Right To Buy I received a rent statement a month after they had received the money showing I was going into arrears which could have affected my credit rating if I'd not jumped up and down. I've had 2 leaks from the flat above and 2 horrendous overnight parties but it's calmed down a lot now. I will be checking carefully my leasehold service charge bills especially as Eric Pickles has, I think, put a cap on leasehold major repairs bills. Loony Leftie council probably. I don't really approve of the fact that most of the social housing goes to immigrants but I usually get on quite well with my neighbours and am not bothered on my estate. It is with regret that I have downgraded my star rating as the issue with noise in the flat above me has returned on a fairly regular basis. The Kilburn Square Housing Co-op are denying that they can see the tenant entering the block at night on CCTV which I believe to be a lie. They even denied it after a friend staying with me experienced a stressful night due to noise nuisance. Noise nuisance team and Co-op seem to take the person breaking the rules side which is actually a form of bullying against me. Other neighbours on his floor used to complain and received the same cover up from management so it's not just me. DO NOT EXPECT BRENT COUNCIL TO STICK UP FOR YOU IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AND FOLLOW THE RULES, PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME OVER THOSE WHO HAVE PROBABLY NEVER DONE A DAY'S WORK IN THEIR LIVES AND ARE BREAKING THE RULES. read more

This review is of the housing benefit section of Brent Civic Centre. Was here 2 weeks ago to ask about a change of circumstances, they were helpful and pleasant. Today around 4pm, the only help was to let you know they are going home at 5pm. The website states they are open till 5pm. Yes open but not operational after 4pm. The staff don't have knowledge to fill in the change of circumstances form. They will provide conflicting information and the online form cannot be filled or submitted if some information is missing. They are extremely rude with one of them swearing at me in front of the security guard, who did nothing about her. One that was helping at the computer vanished for 20 minutes re-appearing around 5 minutes to 5pm. Then she ran around claiming to other staff that "going to the toilet must be a crime" after I asked her where she dissappeared to. I have rarely seen such bad customer service as at this place today. What is it about jobs payed by the tax payer that make staff think they can behave like this? read more