LAMBETH REALLY DOES CANCEL CHRISTMAS FOR SICK ELDERLY WOMAN
The latest data from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) shows Lambeth Council ranked fifth from bottom out of over 350 housing providers (Councils and housing associations with more than 1000 homes) regulated by the RSH.
The RSH published figures in November on “the proportion of respondents who report that they are satisfied with the overall service provided by their landlord” in 2024/25. Fewer than half of Lambeth council respondents (47%) were satisfied with the service provided by Lambeth Council compared to 72% for the median housing provider.
Cllr Matthew Bryant, Deputy Leader of the Lambeth Liberal Democrat Councillors, commented:
“Sadly it will come as no surprise to Lambeth tenants that the service provided by Lambeth is amongst the worst in the country. Lambeth Labour like to blame everyone else for the poor service they provide but these results show that it is down to them. All housing providers, local authorities and housing associations, face constraints on their funding from government but the vast majority provide a far better service than Lambeth. Lambeth Labour should hang their heads in shame.”
Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Lambeth Liberal Democrat Councillors, said:
“I’m all too familiar with Lambeth’s failures. An elderly resident with diverticular disease and psoriasis has been left with no kitchen since November, no shower and toilets that won’t flush properly. The contents of her kitchen are in the front room, so there is no space for a tree, and she has no cooker, so she can’t make Christmas dinner.”
Cllr Harris gained written assurances that the work was booked to happen in November. On the day itself a workman arrived to cancel the job and reschedule it for 18 and 19 December. Cllr Harris received further written confirmation that the work was booked for two operatives on both days, with overspill to Christmas week if needed to finish the work. On 18 December, nobody turned up. Wates then admitted that they had sub-contracted the work and had not yet approved it.
Cllr Harris, who described herself as “appalled,” spoke of being “badly let down by this shoddy behaviour from Wates. Fundamentally, a woman with diverticular disease and other illnesses has been left to live on microwave meals and takeaways for a month, and this will now continue into next year.”
Notes to Editors:
The full dataset is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tenant-satisfaction-measures-202425 (also attached). The relevant statistics are in Column AA. Lambeth is row 131.
Those housing providers (out of a total of over 350) ranking below Lambeth are Tower Hamlets Community Housing, Karibu Housing Association, Havering Council, Slough Borough Council.