SIR – I read with some amusement your article on “Owners fined for unsightly houses” dated Wednesday, December 12.

Whilst I can see that such an unsightly mess would grate on the senses, I cannot see why these have been brought to task yet the properties of a well known social housing company are not.

I live in an area where there is a mixture of privately owned and “social” housing, mainly owned by housing association companies.

Many of these properties have gardens filled with unsightly rubbish, furniture, unkempt gardens etc. Why have they not been told to clean up their act?

When I was young I lived in what was then council housing.

We were regularly inspected to make sure that our property was kept in a tidy and clean condition. It seems that nowadays once in their homes, some residents really do not stop to think that having a home is very precious nowadays and should not be abused.

I watch residents leave and in comes the property maintenance team replacing kitchens, repairing doors, tidying gardens etc, all ready for the next occupiers to move in and do exactly the same.

Yes, I know that they are not all like this but isn’t it time that these companies took some responsibility and enforce some kind of standard?

Lack of money cannot be an excuse for not keeping a property clean and tidy. Housing is scarce, be thankful to have a home and look after it even if you don’t own it!

 Carol Morris

Warndon