Residents compelled to vacate a newly constructed flat complex suffering from extensive water damage, crumbling ceilings, and sewage issues are appealing to the council for assistance in their quest for compensation.
The Fold in Croydon must be stripped down to its raw concrete framework to facilitate necessary repairs and ensure safety, particularly in light of reported fire hazards.
The community is urging the council, serving as both the landowner and local authority, to leverage its position to hold the property’s owners, Legal & General (L&G), accountable.
L&G, which possesses the 251-flat property, has expressed remorse and stated that the safety of residents is its “top priority,” and has proposed assistance and compensation.
Although completed merely in 2022, residents report that The Fold has been continually troubled by issues including dampness, mold, and ceiling collapses, according to the Local Democracy and Reporting Service.
Currently, the building, which had a one-bedroom flat listed for rent at £1,480 per month, is only 30% occupied due to the mass departure of tenants mandated by the owners.
Resident Reuben Cox, who is preparing to move elsewhere in Croydon following a notice he received last month, identified fire safety as his main concern.
“What perplexed me is that they stated everyone needs to leave because it’s unsafe, yet their communication also suggested it was permissible to remain,” he noted.
The tenants’ union ACORN stated at a recent council meeting that residents aimed to clarify Croydon Council’s responsibilities and sought support for their campaign for fair compensation.
Kane Newman, a representative of ACORN, commented, “We have appreciated the backing from some councillors, but there’s still much to be done to affirm the council’s duty to advocate for their constituents’ rights as tenants.”
During the meeting, council representatives admitted that they had not engaged with residents since the announcement but committed to collaborating with them and their ACORN representatives.
The council clarified that although it owns the freehold for Queen’s Quarter, where The Fold is located, it has “no management responsibility” over the building since L&G holds a 250-year lease.
They also mentioned the absence of a formal mechanism for addressing potential conflicts of interest arising from their dual roles as landowner and regulator.
Furthermore, the council confirmed it did not participate in construction inspections and only began to engage after L&G raised safety concerns, stating that the London Fire Brigade was the primary enforcement authority for fire safety matters while their involvement was limited to supporting investigations.
A spokesperson from Croydon Council indicated that on September 16 and October 20, a representative attended an inspection of the building conducted by the LFB, along with an environmental health officer from the private housing team.
“The inspection aimed to assess reported fire safety deficiencies that may pertain to both the building’s physical structure and the documentation managed by the responsible organization.
“The Building Safety Regulator holds statutory responsibility, and we would encourage residents to reach out to them directly for assistance if they haven’t already done so.”
In a statement, L&G asserted that The Fold’s management is doing everything possible to expedite remediation efforts and to assist residents ahead of the mandatory deadline to vacate the building by March 2026.
The spokesperson acknowledged the “substantial” disruption this situation has caused and highlighted the provision of “comprehensive support and compensation,” which includes covering the equivalent of four months’ rent plus an additional £1,000 per apartment for moving expenses, with full return of deposits.
“We are actively collaborating with residents, both collectively and individually, to address their needs as effectively as possible,” they concluded.
