Families have air con switched off by ‘heartless landlords’ in middle of heatwave

People living in a housing block providing shelter for the homeless claim their air conditioning was shut off by ‘heartless landlords’ as temperatures soared during the heatwave.

Two mothers at Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, southwest London, say their children were left needing urgent medical care after residents were told they were not entitled to use the building’s air conditioning system under the terms of their tenancy agreement. 

Dozens of families were affected by the decision by Aura Asset Management, which turned off their air con even as temperatures rose well past 30C during this summer’s hot spells.

A letter confirming some tenants would not be able to use the air con despite units being installed in their flats said: ‘As part of our arrangements with Aura Assets/People First Housing as the party responsible for flats let on this basis, air conditioning has been switched off for their rented flats in the building.

‘Air conditioning has not been offered as an amenity under these arrangements, and the units cannot be switched back on as a result.’

Sabrina Walters, 31, told Metro how her daughter, 12, became unwell as temperatures rose, leaving her flat ‘like living in a pressure cooker’.

Her air conditioning was switched off in early July and only restored last week after she alerted her local councillor and MP Dame Siobhain McDonagh.

She told Metro: ‘It was terrible. It was so hot, blood started coming from my 12-year-old child’s nose, she had continuous nosebleeds. It was really worrying, it was clear it due to the heat as it hadn’t happened before.

‘We always had use of the air conditioning, but then we were told we weren’t eligible when the flat was like a furnace.

‘My one-year-old was sweating and not sleeping; it was a nightmare for any parent. We have been treated like we are cattle. The company running the building have been completely heartless.

‘It was so frustrating; the air conditioning unit was in the flat, but they pulled the plug.’

The 14-storey block is glass-fronted, which means the flats heat up quickly. Windows cannot be fully opened as a health and safety measure common in high-rises. 

A second mother told Metro how her child had developed a rash due to the excessive heat and was taken to hospital.
The woman, 41, who lives in the 14th floor said: ‘The heat was terrible and our air conditioning was turned off.

‘One of my children developed a terrible rash. It was difficult to breathe in there.

‘I took them to hospital because I was so worried. The glass makes the heat so intense. We all felt ill.

‘The air conditioning should be available at all times. It’s been a heatwave; it’s inhumane.’ 

The families were advised they should buy their own fans if they wanted to keep cool. 

Britannia Point was built in 1966 as an office block but redeveloped into flats in 2017. The building freehold is owned by Criterion Capital which belongs to millionaire property magnate Asif Aziz. 

Nearby councils including Wandsworth and Croydon place some homeless families in their care in the block, although Wandsworth is relocating its residents after learning about the air con being switched off, Metro was told. 

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has backed the families and called on the management company to repeal the decision.

His spokesperson said: ‘The Mayor expects temporary accommodation to meet basic standards for decent living.

‘The steps taken at Britannia Point are completely unacceptable. We are assured the local council is doing all they can to hold the building management to account and protect vulnerable residents.’

Aura Asset Management said in a statement that the air conditioning was now working and available for all residents. 
It said: ‘To date, we have not received any reports indicating that a resident has become seriously ill as a result of the recent period of hot weather.

‘Should any resident require additional support or have concerns regarding their accommodation, we encourage them to contact us directly so that we can respond promptly and appropriately.

‘The welfare of our residents remains our highest priority. All residents, including those occupying temporary accommodation, are informed before moving into the building that air conditioning is available within their apartments as an optional amenity.

‘As is standard practice, the electricity costs associated with operating these systems are the responsibility of the individual occupier.’

But local councillor Stuart Neaverson told Metro the company had behaved ‘disgracefully’. 

He said: ‘It’s disgraceful that families in temporary accommodation have been singled out to have their air conditioning turned off during a record-breaking heatwave.

‘To specifically target people who have been made homeless and trying to rebuild their lives is outrageous.

‘Even for those that have now had their air conditioning turned back on, which is still not all families, the costs I’ve seen quoted are eye-watering. No family should have to choose between eating and keeping their children cool during a heatwave.

‘Criterion Capital, who own the building, have huge questions to answer on how this ever happened, and what they will be doing to support the families who have been so badly affected these past weeks.’ 

Criterion Capital has been contacted for comment.