Lambeth housing complaints up 248% in two years

The number of housing complaints jumped from 687 in 2020 to 2,394 in 2022. Within the first seven months of 2023, Lambeth has already received 1,739 complaints, meaning it is on course to pass 3,000 complaints by the end of the year.   

This week, a public consultation on Lambeth’s Council’s new 2023-2030 Housing Strategy closed. The strategy identifies ‘Delivering Excellent Housing and Repairs Services’ as one of the council’s three key priorities.  

But the Liberal Democrats, the Official Opposition on Lambeth Council, say that the new Housing Strategy “does not set any clear performance indicators” or “go far enough to change the status quo”.  

In their official consultation response, the Lib Dems asked Lambeth Council to self-refer itself with immediate effect to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). The RSH is an independent body which has the power to determine whether Lambeth has consistently breached the Homes Standard.  

The Homes Standard makes sure that homes for residents are safe, warm, equipped with modern facilities, and in a reasonable state of repair. Other Labour-run councils, including Ealing and Haringey, have already referred themselves to the RSH after repeatedly failing to protect residents from harm.  

The two other priorities set out in Lambeth’s 2023-2030 Housing Strategy are ‘More Affordable Homes’ and ‘Supporting Healthy and Safe Neighbourhoods’.  

Lambeth is facing an acute housing shortage, with over 40,000 people on the social housing waiting list – more than in any other London Borough. Households in Lambeth need an income of over £57,000 to reasonably afford to rent a two-bed flat in the borough, but the average household income is only £38,000.  

Although the Housing Strategy recognises that “much more needs to be done to deliver more affordable homes”, the Lib Dems say that detail is severely lacking. They’ve asked for a target-led approach, and for Lambeth to update the Housing Strategy to include:  

1. A target for the number of new homes built in Lambeth each year until 2030, with at least 40% available as truly affordable housing.

2. A timescale for facilitating new ‘direct delivery’ housing developments in Lambeth, where the council operates as the property developer instead of outsourcing to private companie.

3. A date by which 50 percent of the 400 long-term empty homes owned by Lambeth Council will be occupied by new social housing tenants.

4. A target to inspect 100 percent of Urgent or Crisis Repairs within 48 hours and for works to commence within 10 working days (or 28 working days if the resident is moved to Temporary Accommodation).

The Liberal Democrats’ full consultation response to Lambeth’s 2023-2030 Housing Strategy is available here.   

Commenting, Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Lambeth Lib Dem Group, said:  

“The staggering quadrupling of housing complaints in just two years is a testament to the real struggle Lambeth residents face every day. Our communities need a plan that they can mark the council against – a plan that reflects the urgency and magnitude of the housing crisis. 

“Lambeth’s housing strategy falls way too short. It doesn’t set any performance indicators for the building of new homes or for improving housing repairs.  

“The Lib Dems have proposed concrete targets for the council to adopt. They must update the housing strategy to include our bold plans for tangible change. Behind every complaint there is a family yearning for a secure and affordable home, and their hopes and aspirations should be at the heart of Lambeth’s vision for the future.”