Southwark Labour have been charging more rent than they need. They’ve stated away £6.5M into a war chest. They’re now deciding how to spend this money in the last full financial year before the next local election.

This money should either not have been charged to generally our poorest residents OR it should have been used to make improvements before.

But we do have local housing issues that can be brought forward.

We’ve suggested our priorities for East Dulwich council properties are:
1. Safety issues such as electric wiring
2. Security – tenanted properties are the target of burglary and tenants are the least likely to be able to afford contents insurance – solid secure front and back doors, excellent two locks on each entrance door – Banham quality, Manchester and London bars on all doors, doors have bolts into frame, good windows locks.
3. Loft insulation – much done but we need to ensure all properties have the maximum possible.
4. Cavity wall insulation – ensure all done and well – removing debris from cavity before installing.
5. Modern double or better triple glazing – most of our external decoration need on council street properties is around ancient sash windows. So apart from reducing energy poverty this solves much of the decoration regime that has never existed. It can also make the homes more secure if done well. Such glazing should match the buildings age so sash double or triple glazing for Victorian street properties for example. Triple rather than double due to the extra energy savings.
6. External decoration.

The administration has also suggested replacing Halliwell Court entry phone. It isn’t a great system but no worse than others. The issue is the ground floor flats. So we’ve separately asked for clear signs of how to reach them by walking a short distance around the block. A nice simple cheap solution.

What do you think the council housing in East Dulwich needs most?