London Social Housing Residents Face Up to Five-Year Waits for Faulty Window Repairs
Several London councils have come under sharp criticism for “indefensible” delays in repairing faulty windows, with some social housing families waiting up to five years for essential maintenance.
The Social Housing Ombudsman has published an investigation highlighting numerous cases – more than half involving children – where landlords failed to address unsafe or draughty windows. In one particularly alarming instance, a baby in Harrow waited for a window repair until toddlerhood, despite the council being aware of the issue before the family even moved in.
Ombudsman Richard Blakeway condemned social landlords across the capital for allowing repairs to “drag on for years” due to planned major works. While acknowledging that large-scale improvements can be complex and costly, he stressed that the conditions endured by tenants in some cases were impossible to justify.
“Time and again, landlords fail to consider the individual circumstances of households,” said Blakeway. “Risks such as falls, fire safety, exposure to cold, damp, or mould, and residents’ health conditions are often overlooked, leaving families in unsafe and unhealthy living conditions.”
Council Failures Across London
- Lambeth Councilleft unfit windows unrepaired for three years while waiting for major works, without clearly communicating this to tenants.
- Lewisham Councilboarded up a high-rise bedroom window for four years, despite repeated warnings from a resident about children’s safety and lack of natural light.
- Islington Councilfailed to act on windows that could not close properly, putting a child with a compromised immune system at risk during winter months.
- Hammersmith and Fulham Councilrepeatedly marked repairs as complete without explanation, demonstrating poor record-keeping and communication.
These delays have life-threatening consequences. The National Child Mortality Database recently reported nine children have died after falling from windows in social housing over the past six years, with some incidents linked to repeated unaddressed repair requests.
Councils Take Action
Following the Ombudsman’s report, councils have pledged improvements:
- Harrow, Lambeth, and Hammersmith & Fulhaminvested hundreds of millions in council homes and revised repair services.
- Lewishamis hiring additional repairs staff, improving contractor collaboration, and upgrading internal systems.
- Islingtonis buying back ex-council homes and implementing more robust temporary fixes where full window replacements are uneconomical.
- Lambethhas installed window restrictors on all empty properties above the ground floor and compensated affected residents.
Councils emphasised that measures are being taken to prevent future delays, improve record-keeping, and ensure residents’ safety.
Call to Action
The Ombudsman’s investigation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely maintenance in social housing. Landlords are urged to prioritise repairs, particularly when children or vulnerable residents are at risk, and to maintain clear communication with tenants throughout the process.
