A number of councils in London have faced criticism from a regulatory body for what has been labeled “unacceptable” negligence in addressing broken windows in social housing, with some families enduring waits of up to five years for repairs.
The Housing Ombudsman reported that more than half of the affected cases involved children, emphasizing that these delays had jeopardized health and safety.
In a particularly egregious instance, Harrow Council took over two years to repair a malfunctioning window in a baby’s nursery, fully aware of the problem prior to the family’s arrival.
Councils such as Harrow, Lambeth, and Islington have since expressed regret over the delays, noting that they have made enhancements to their repair processes.
The investigation undertaken by the watchdog unveiled that landlords often failed to consider the unique situations of tenants, leaving some individuals in perilous or unhealthy living conditions for extended periods.
Ombudsman Richard Blakeway commented that certain councils allowed repairs to persist due to anticipated significant renovations, while asserting that the hardships faced by residents were “inexcusable.”
He remarked, “We consistently observe a disconnect between the specific needs of the household and the state of the property,” adding, “Concerns regarding risks of falling, fire safety, and exposure to cold, damp, and mold are not always addressed appropriately.”
The report pointed out several alarming cases:
These findings coincided with a report from the National Child Mortality Database, which disclosed that 13 children had died after falling from social housing windows over the last six years.
In some instances, families had already alerted authorities about the issues with broken windows.
John Woolf, the Islington councillor responsible for homes and communities, expressed remorse for the delays, attributing them to significant ongoing works.
He informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the council was actively enhancing its reporting mechanisms and had communicated these updates to the Ombudsman.
Additionally, Lambeth Council issued an apology, stating that it had compensated residents, completed essential repairs, and conducted reviews to identify areas for improvement.
A representative remarked that window restrictors had been installed in all vacant properties above ground level.
Other councils announced their commitment to making enhancements.
Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, and Lambeth councils all reported expenditures in the hundreds of millions of pounds for the upkeep of homes.
Lewisham mentioned it was expanding its team of repair staff and improving its record-keeping, while Islington indicated it would employ “more effective” temporary solutions when full replacements were not feasible.
The LDRS has sought additional comments from the other councils mentioned.
