Octavia Housing Kensington and Chelsea reviews

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Great service and helpful with… their jobs

Great service and helpful with everything

Faten · 31 October 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Awful to deal with

Currently living in an Octavia owned building. Construction work has the building covered in scaffolding and netting. They are currently updating the cladding on the building, I was told on the phone by someone involved with the construction that 'it's not quite as bad as Grenfell but not too far off'.Balconies have been closed off, have tried to get in contact with Octavia many times for a variety of issues, only to be told it's not their issue or 'get someone else to sort it'.Couldn't recommend them any less. Antone looking at an Octavia owned building, I would strongly recommend staying away.

Dan · 28 September 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Devious procedures & unethical practices

They gave me and my wife a provisional offer and we went through a referencing check. I provided all informations they needed straight away and they could see every transaction of the whole year and how much savings we had. Obviously we could easily afford the place.The only issue has been that being relatively new to the UK we did not have a credit history. Before that the conditions have been clearly written that candidates were not allowed to have an adverse credit history but having no credit history was not stated for not qualifying. Anyway, they took over a week after the reference check to announce that they will withdraw the offer. Furthermore, even indicated before that having no credit history shall not be a problem, as long it’s not an adverse one and it’s clearly to see that we can afford the place. It’s obvious what happened here: They give provisional offers like candies and then start to pick favourite candidates which profiles they like the most. The problem is that you play with existences of people, which rely on you. And if there are standard procedures, which are being followed, then communicate those from beginning. And don’t wait until there are more suitable candidate to show up.

Rauf · 26 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

If I could, I would rate them at 0 stars. Extremely disrespectful company! We’ve purchased an apartment through shared ownership and since the exchange date we’ve had issues with the towel heater in the bathroom. We then had to contact them multiple times to get this fixed, and were almost two years into the property it still hasn’t been fixed and they just started to ignore this issue. They have increased our service charge and when we questioned the charges for lift and roof terrace (We live on the ground floor with no access to lift or terrace) they haven’t responded for almost a month. They claim to have undercharged us for service charge during the whole year, and then decided to just send a statement through and collected the payment of over £400. I emailed over a month ago and still have had no update from them. They have also decided to lock the side gate of the property without any previous notice. I’m writing this here with hope that they will contact me and help us get things sorted. Avoid this housing association if you can!

Letícia · 26 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Avoid this HA at all costs if possible

Avoid this HA at all costs if possible. They have workers which bully you, even shout at you over the phone, but as they're working from home, there is no recording of conversations, so the worker gets off scot free. To him then not paying back WCC an overpayment Octavia recieved for rent in October last year, has resulted in WCC threatening to take me to court, for money Octavia has, in my name. Numerous emails and phonecalls later... it still isnt resolved. And I still have WCC breathing down my neck. The length of time it seems to take for each stage to happen is appalling. Complaints department are a joke to, don't even bother to reply to you at all. The buck passing that occurs would be impressive if it wasn't so appallingly obvious. No-one seems to want to do their jobs there. And if you try and get things sorted, you are made to feel like you're hassling them unduly.

Michelle · 31 January 2024

★★★★★ 2/5

Google

I have had two plumbing emergencies over weekends in the last month. Both times, I have tried to get through to the emergency repairs line, and neither time (at different times of the day) did anyone pick up. The first emergency had me waiting for the better part of an hour, which then gave me a large telephone bill. Both times, I am having to contact a private company to get someone out, paying at least £200 (not including VAT and whatever I get charged tomorrow for the second emergency). Although I no longer have my invoice for the first job, I will be seriously considering taking the invoice for tomorrow's one and demanding financial compensation. I am also going to have to get my carpets removed, which if the emergency line had picked up sooner, may have been avoided. I work part-time, and am a part-time student - I do NOT have this kind of money to use on this kind of thing. This is wholly reprehensible that a line supposedly for out of hours emergencies is NOT available.

Mercy · 24 December 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Think twice before approaching this housing association. My neighbours and I have all grown to literally hate this organisation, with some even leaving our development because they couldn't take it anymore. I have more stories about what we've had to endure than Roald Dahl's "Tales of the Unexpected" series. They are exceptionally slow to address issues (several months for replies is not unusual). Their explanations on queries is often vague and inconsistent (to the degree where I have received answers that contradict each other). The staff turnover is shocking (always a sure sign of somewhere bad to work). And whilst jumping up and down and making merry hell might get you a visit to discuss your concerns, ultimately the vast majority of issues go unresolved. I have lever arch files full of bills, adjustments (i.e. demands for extra money) because they messed something up, or other such correspondence. It's now at the point where I get a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever I see an envelope with Octavia's logo on the front. This is because it feels like Octavia will will again be seeking more money - the only question I ask before opening one of their letters is "how much do they want this time?". I can't overstate how stressful my neighbours and I find dealing with Octavia to be, along with living in one of their properties. And whilst many staff are very polite, there's only so far that nice individuals can get you before an organisation's structures and processes once again start to frustrate you.

Gary · 24 November 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

This housing is one of the worst in the…

This housing is one of the worst in the whole country, don't take my word for it, look at what tenants write!! I became a tenant because of the location but soon regretted it all. Filled with incompetent staff. They only care about themselves not for you the tenant. They will play games with you withholding information then somehow blame it on you.

Khadija · 23 February 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I have been a tenant with this housing association for 22 years and my mum was for nearly 40 years. The way we are being treated is disgusting, pay my rent in full every month without fail and now suffering with my mental health bought on by a neighbour and there’s no support from these guys.

Ali · 23 November 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

The worst experience ever! I am a tenant there and been waiting for a pump installtion for a month. Calling every single day and still no luck!

Moe · 12 September 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Awful company with incompetent staff who refuse to answer a simple question from carers looking for information.

Headspace · 10 January 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Even one star is far too generous

Even one star is far too generous for them, there is no word to describe their inaptitude and suitability to manage a housing stock. My parents live in a flat managed by them unfortunately and had the worst ever experience. They are both elderly over 65 with various health issues, my dad is disabled. They were left with no heating and no running water for over 50 hours since Sunday evening till Monday afternoon. We called everywhere, there was the culture of passing the buck and blaming another company as usual with RBKC and Octavia (rings a bell, Grenfell!!!), at one point access to the water main was through a part of a flat that accommodates disabled people to see what was wrong, we asked for the key only to be told the manager is on day off and staff have been told not to disturb her, WHAT!!!!

Neg · 28 March 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Awful company with incompetent staff who refuse to answer a simple question from carers looking for information.

Rameau · 17 December 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Worse workers ever , biggest waste of time you could have . Rubbish people and jokers with an attitude 🤮 …

Ovidiu · 24 October 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Pop in the office thought the staff were helpful but I still waiting for information by post is be over 2 weeks. Not brilliant news. So I have go back again however I don't make calls as I am deaf believe me I prefer face to face

Ashleigh · 23 December 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I’m not a current tenant but was about to do a mutual exchange with a tenant, this company is the most unprofessional housing association ever, waiting over 30 days for a reply to a basic email, the current tenant has sat with water damage to her property for the last 5months and they have done nothing but covered up the issues and refused responsibility to the repairs to floors and walls even though there own work man called them a trip and injury hazard and she has a small child it’s disgusting an unfortunately I’ve had to pull out over all this the reviews on here says it all you should all seek legal advice and sue the life out of Octavia they clearly don’t hold concerns for their customers so you slshould force them there are plenty of solicitors offering no win no fee cases and the person I was dealing with a case alone is massive with plenty of evidence if they won’t hear you MAKE THEM! Glad to say I missed this bullet after reading these reviews just feel very sorry for Octavian current tenants what a joke leaving disabled people on the sixth floor for months without a working life disgraceful I can see them going bust

Esco · 24 December 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Absolutely diabolical customer service. Reported issue with drainage over and over again. Nothing has been done.

Sulaiman · 17 November 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Tried to make a reservation for the development they sell, and was ghosted since then. You will be better off going to other developers or housing associations.

Mikhail · 26 April 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Another excellent employee!

Once again, I want to personally thank a member of the reception staff, Raven.

Pix · 11 November 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Lack of Communication

It has been over a month since I reached out, and I have yet to receive a response regarding the tenant’s status on the parking waiting list. Additionally, the concerns raised about your colleague’s [S] and now [D] actions remain unaddressed.

Criticism · 8 December 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Going round in circles

Well I got a reply here, obviously not from a person but computer generated telling me to ring the number that I’ve been ringing or email the address I’ve been emailing. What I am complaining about is not getting any response by phoning or emailing. Going round in circles. What’s the point.

Maggie · 28 March 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

When are you going to send someone with a brain cell to fix the intercom system at George Eyre House? Or are you just going to keep on sending mental retards who don't know how to fix a simple over voltage issue?😡 …

Daniel · 25 July 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Octavia Housing is a disgraceful organisation to be with. After reading so many bad reviews and stories of other tenants I am in shock how many of us suffer from this so called social housing organisation. For many years my property has been in a state of disrepair with multiple issues including health hazards. It took years, yes YEARS for someone to turn up and fit smoke alarms - there were none before that and that is such a basic health and safety requirement. Is that even legal to let tenants live without smoke alarms?!?!? My complaints have been left without attention for 3 years; damp, black mould, collapsed bathtub, cosmetic issues, defective guttering and pipework, damaged roofing, cracks in walls, blown brickwork and the list goes on. This situation has escalated into having to take legal action against Octavia and I will go to the council and ombudsman. If you incur slightest rent arrears they are on your case constantly giving you stress and threats of eviction, when the house is in horrific conditions and you need to pay for stuff to get fixed from your own pocket instead of paying rent. If you are considering moving into a property from Octavia I suggest you think twice and for residents already living in one I wish you the very best of luck.

Sofia · 23 November 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Job Interview

I was invited for a job interview for this HA and it was the most disappointing experience ever. It is particularly disheartening and dis-concerning when they make potential candidates like me jump through so many hoops to be considered.I put a lot of my time and energy into my application, presentation and the interview process. Whilst I appreciated the fact I wasn't successful I gained no pleasure in the way the panel members treated me with total disrespect by:1) Delaying my interview by 10 minutes later than scheduled and,2) when it did eventually start the chair of the panel was absent for a further 10 minutes late, and3) I had to engage in small talk with the other panel member, who didn't seem very engaging, and 4) to top it all I can't even get feedback to understand where I need to improve etc.The whole experience with this organisation was somewhat demoralising and demotivating to say the least. May be they should train their management on the etiquette of interview preparation and techniques so they treat other future applicants with the respect they deserve.I for one will never apply to Octaive HA for a job again!

Vijay · 19 November 2020