Residents vote to transfer homes to London and Quadrant

Residents have voted in favour of transfering ownership of their Lewisham Council homes to London and Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q).

A total of 2,436 tenanted and 1,154 leasehold homes will be transferred to London and Quadrant Housing Trust after a ballot of residents in Catford South, Forest Hill/Perry Vale/Sydenham and Rushey Green/Crofton Park/Lewisham Central showed an overwhelming majority in favour of the transfer.

L&Q will spend £62 million in a repair and improvement programme for tenanted homes delivering the Government’s Decent Homes standard within the first 2 years following transfer. Works will include new kitchens and bathrooms for tenants and new double glazing. New or upgraded heating systems to individual homes and loft insulation will improve energy efficiency of homes and reduce heating bills. The average investment level per property is around £24,000 per household.

It will also spend £7 million improving the environment and consulting with residents on a range of improvements such as: installation of security entry phone systems; improving lighting in communal areas; improving and installing new boundary fencing and railings; landscaping communal gardens and open areas.

Catford area voting turnout was 56 per cent, with 79.7 per cent voting in favour of the transfer. Forest Hill area voting turnout was 54.6 per cent, with 79.5 per cent voting in favour of transfer and Rushey Green area voting turnout was 54.5 per cent, with 79.2 per cent voting in favour.

L&Q have committed to keeping rents the same as if the properties had remained as council-owned.

Lewisham Council and L&Q will now work together to negotiate the final details before the transfer goes ahead, anticipated to take place in October 2010, with the first works starting shortly after.