Labour Fighting for Leaseholders

Tower Hamlets Labour Group continues to fight for a new deal for Tower Hamlets Homes

leaseholders, supporting the campaign led by Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick.

Many leaseholders across the borough have been sent bills for as much as £40,000 for works to their

properties – all of which to be paid within 12 months. For most of these residents, these bills are

simply too much to pay in such a short timescale.

What we’ve done:

Been on the doorstep, talking to leaseholders about their concerns and what Labour would do

differently

Launched a petition and submitted it to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Grilled the THH Director of Investment, Jamie Carswell, at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny

Committee – forcing THH to agree to a Labour request to conduct a review of how THH deals with

leaseholders and to relaunch its relationship with them

Campaigned for a ten year repayment plan to be available to leaseholders, some of whom have

been faced with repaying up to £40,000 within just one year

Submitted written questions to members of the Tower Hamlets Council Cabinet demanding answers

on what they will do to help leaseholders

Rushanara Ali has asked parliamentary questions to the Department for Communities and Local

Government

Introduced a motion at a meeting of Tower Hamlets Council calling for a new deal for leaseholders.

This motion was passed

What’s Labour’s New Deal for Leaseholders?

Labour, led by Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick, has been campaigning to –

Extend the current repayment period for major works from 12 months to 10 years;

Provide much greater transparency on all charges and proposed major works;

Adopt a pro-active approach when responding to, engaging with and consulting leaseholders.

Cllr John Pierce, of Tower Hamlets Labour Group, said:

“As councillors, we regularly receive complaints and requests for help from leaseholders who are

struggling with Tower Hamlets Homes – it’s a really important issue that keeps coming up on the

doorstep.

The campaign, led by Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick, has been really strong and we’re glad that

the council is now considering and discussing improvements that will benefit leaseholders. This isn’t

enough, though. Labour will keep pushing and fighting for a new deal for leaseholders.”

Cllr Rachael Saunders, Leader of Tower Hamlets Labour Group, said:

“The Labour Group has been working hard, calling for a new deal for leaseholders. Tower Hamlets

Homes must improve on communications with leaseholders, transparency managing their

contractors who carry out major works.

This leaseholders issue frequently comes up in councillors’ case work and when we’re out on the

doorstep – campaigning for a Labour Government and a Labour Mayor for Tower Hamlets.”