Residents of the Loughborough Estate in Brixton have urged Lambeth councillors to support them in a dispute with the estate's management board over what they describe as 'squalid living conditions'.
People living on the estate say they have faced years of neglect under the current management board, reporting unresolved issues including damp and mould, leaks, sewage faults, and pest infestations.
During a Lambeth Council meeting last week, community group Loughborough Voices, established in 2019, delivered a deputation asking the local authority to help hold the Loughborough Estate Management Board (LEMB) to account.
Deputation to the council
LEMB has functioned as a Tenant Management Organisation for the housing estate since its creation in 1995. The properties on the estate are owned by the council.
Muhammad Bryce and Isaiah Springer presented the deputation on behalf of Loughborough Voices during Wednesday's meeting of the full council.
Mr Bryce said: "Our shared spaces are falling apart, creating difficulties for older and disabled residents. Requests for repairs lead to more chasing, more waiting, and no clear answer."
Residents also reported rising service charges for services they say are disappearing, he said.
Allegations of denied membership
The disgruntled resident went on to allege that residents have received letters refusing their applications to become shareholders, and said residents' conduct had been accused of being detrimental to LEMB.
Mr Bryce said there had been no explanation over what conduct was deemed detrimental or which specific rule was breached.
He added: "Residents seeking accountability are being denied membership and the opportunity to vote, including in board elections.
"An [annual general meeting] cannot provide genuine democratic accountability if the board excludes the residents who challenge it."
Council legal action
In April, the council announced it was preparing to take legal action in the High Court against LEMB after identifying a number of serious concerns regarding the governance and management of the organisation.
Mr Bryce said the group recognises the council's legal action against LEMB, including referring it to the Financial Conduct Authority. But he said residents are continuing to suffer while processes are ongoing.
The group's deputation listed three priorities, including clear and practical powers to end failing management agreements, strong oversight of resident democracy and accountability for past failures, and responsibility to put things right.
The group also asked the council to commit to a written response with names, responsibility, a clear timetable and regular updates.
In response to the deputation, Pete Elliott, a Green Party councillor and cabinet member for housing, said: "The council takes our landlord responsibilities very seriously, even where the estates are managed by third-party organisations.
"We are in active legal proceedings with LEMB and we have been substantively lobbying Government for some time around the operating framework for TMOs, and we will continue to do so."
He added: "It is important that councils are able to regain power and control in circumstances where things are not operating in line with expected standards.
"I recognise your concerns and I thank you for your time that you have taken today to ensure that they are brought to our attention."
Mr Elliott said the council would provide a written response to the deputation within the next 10 days. LEMB was contacted for comment.
