The treatment of tenants residing in a North London housing association has been criticized as “absolutely disgusting,” with numerous unresolved maintenance issues persisting for years. Local council representatives have expressed that the current situation is intolerable and have requested an urgent meeting with the housing association’s leadership to address these pressing concerns.
Residents of Bigler Court in Alperton have accused the housing association L&Q of failing to address critical issues in a timely manner. Complaints regarding malfunctioning lifts, lack of heating and hot water, flooding incidents, and security concerns have been repeatedly raised, yet many of these problems remain unresolved. Some residents have reported that lift issues date back to before 2020, severely impacting their ability to attend important medical appointments or visit family, leading to feelings of confinement within their own homes.
Residents Share Their Experiences
Marguerite Earlington, a 72-year-old resident who has lived in Bigler Court since 2011, described her experience with L&Q as “the worst housing association I have ever encountered.” She characterized the treatment of tenants as “neglectful and inhumane.” In an interview, Ms. Earlington stated, “L&Q has neglected to fix issues in a timely manner, leaving us without proper security and without a lift for months at a time over the years. I have been stuck on the 9th floor with no assistance when the lift is out of service. I have a heart condition, and when it breaks down, I feel imprisoned in my flat.”
Geeta Patel, 62, who has also resided at Bigler Court since 2011, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the lift is “constantly out of service.” She criticized L&Q for being “unhelpful on all levels” and called for better communication and follow-up on complaints. Ms. Patel remarked, “With the lift not functioning for extended periods, I have been unable to go out for appointments or visit relatives. Currently, I’ve been placed in a hotel for nearly three months, and the lift is still not properly fixed, with neighbors getting stuck multiple times.”
Ongoing Maintenance Issues
In addition to the lift problems, residents have reported a lack of hot water for weeks, persistent leaks, theft of parcels due to a broken main door, and inadequate ventilation for two years. Lahcen Halli, 56, shared his struggles, stating that he has had to go to the gym to shower and has faced difficulties with grocery shopping when the lift is out of order. He also mentioned the presence of damp and mold in his flat due to poor ventilation. Mr. Halli expressed his frustration, saying, “It’s absolutely disgusting how they treat their residents, showing no empathy or care for those who live here. They are quick to increase our service charges, but when we need improvements or repairs, they seem to vanish.”
Local Council’s Response
Ward councillor Anton Georgiou has reached out to L&Q’s management regarding the “ongoing and unacceptable” conditions faced by residents. His correspondence highlights that tenants are experiencing recurring issues and have “little confidence” that these problems will be resolved. Cllr Georgiou stated, “The stories coming from residents are deeply concerning. People have been left for months without reliable heating or hot water, repairs often fail to address the issues, and the lift has been out of service for extended periods. Recently, two residents became trapped in the lift despite assurances that repairs had been completed. This ongoing situation is severely affecting residents’ physical and mental well-being. Many feel ignored, exhausted, and let down.”
The letter also pointed out that the housing officer responsible for the building has not responded to previous communications from councillors, urging that residents‘ concerns be addressed before they escalate further. Cllr Georgiou is advocating for L&Q to conduct a comprehensive review of outstanding repairs and maintenance issues at Bigler Court, establish clear timelines for resolving these matters, and enhance communication and engagement with residents moving forward.
L&Q’s Response to the Concerns
L&Q has issued an apology for the difficulties faced by residents, explaining that some repairs have taken longer than anticipated due to the complex nature of the issues and challenges in sourcing necessary parts. David Lewis, Executive Group Director of Property and Investment at L&Q, stated, “The heating, hot water system, and lift are now operational, and we have prioritized addressing security concerns. We are exploring ways to enhance the reliability of the communal heating system in the long term, including upgrading the existing heat network. We are also investigating the recent lift outage to prevent further disruptions.”
Lewis acknowledged the concerns raised by the local councillor and assured that updates would be provided to both the councillor and residents as work progresses, along with support for those affected.
Residents are encouraged to sign a petition urging the UK Government to prohibit councils from rendering individuals homeless if they refuse long-distance housing relocations.
Quellen: mylondon.news
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