26 August 2022
Your question
I am currently living in West Norwood and we have to move out our flat soon.
Having lived in the area for a few months, I noticed the entire property 3 Barston Road, SE27 9HE being empty and the ground floor being boarded up.
Doing some research I learned that the flat ones used to belong to Lambeth Housing Ltd. which I assume is now the Lambeth Housing Services.
I am very interested in understanding why the property is totally empty and what the councils plan for this property is.
I am currently looking for a new place to live, which was my initial motivation to contact the owner. I do understand from your colleagues at the advice team, that living in this property would be impossible for me in any case which I understand.
I find it very important to have housing for the people less well off.
However, being an Architect, I do notice a lot of potential with this property and wonder why the council lets it empty for such a long time. It looks like a waste to me, as a lot of people are looking for places to live.
What strikes me, is that there is also an exceptionally large garden to the rear of the flat which is just overgrown.
- again, in first place I would like to understand what the councils plan for this building is.
The building and its location is amazing and has great qualities. It's too nice to just let unused.
Our response
- 3 Barston Road, SE27 9HE is not unoccupied. Lambeth Council lets properties to applicants on the housing waiting list through the Choice Based Lettings Scheme. Prior to doing so, Lambeth housing ensure that all / any structural defects and repairs required to a property are carried out and completed to a lettable standard.