Tower Hamlets Council is facing increased scrutiny over failures in its housing repair service, with opposition councillors highlighting a significant deterioration in performance. The Regulator of Social Housing downgraded Tower Hamlets Council to a C3 rating in 2025, citing serious failings in meeting the requirements of the Safety and Quality Standard, and weaknesses in the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard, and the Neighbourhood and Community Standard.

At a Council meeting on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, councillors debated an opposition motion addressing these concerns. The motion noted a concerning decline in the council's housing service, including:

  • Only 3 in 5 calls to the Housing Service Centre being answered
  • Only 47.3% of repairs appointments being kept
  • Only 75.6% of repairs being completed in time
  • 23% of council homes failing to meet the Decent Homes Standard
  • Over 2,000 outstanding fire safety actions

The motion stated that the council believes that tenants and leaseholders have been repeatedly let down and that the collapse in housing repairs and maintenance performance represents a serious breach of trust.

The council resolved to:

  • Instruct the Chief Executive to resource additional meetings of the Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee
  • Ensure that quarterly performance data is published online
  • Co-produce a Repairs Improvement Charter with tenants and leaseholders
  • Prioritise the elimination of damp, mould, and disrepair
  • Release capital investment to repair broken communal areas
  • Create quarterly Neighborhood Housing Forums
  • Hold a special Full Council meeting to discuss the Regulator's downgrade of Tower Hamlets Council's housing services.

Due to time constraints, a vote on the motion was not held at the meeting because the Aspire group withdrew their motion. According to the meeting minutes, The time limit for the meeting has now been reached, any motion not taken will fall. I thank you for your contribution, I now close the meeting. Matthew Mannion, Head of Democratic Services, stated that the constitution says that the council would normally vote on them anyway.

The council has resolved to create quarterly Neighbourhood Housing Forums.