North London Council Accused of Breaking Promise to Housing Campaigners
Campaigners in North London have launched a scathing accusation against Harrow Council, claiming it has "broken a promise" to engage with renters over critical housing issues. The tenant-led group, Harrow Healthy Homes (HHH), facilitated by the Harrow Law Centre, alleges that all requests to meet with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Mina Parmar, have been refused since a public commitment was made last October.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict stems from a protest held by HHH outside the council's offices ahead of a Cabinet meeting in October 2025. At that meeting, Cllr Parmar agreed to meet with the group to discuss how they could "work better together" on improving housing conditions in the borough. However, HHH reports that despite repeated attempts, the portfolio holder has not honored this agreement, leading to accusations of ignoring renters' concerns.
Key issues raised by the campaigners include widespread damp and mould in council properties, escalating private rental costs, and an alleged lack of enforcement action against rogue landlords. In August 2025, HHH had a preliminary meeting with Cllr Parmar and senior housing directors, where they highlighted disrepair in council homes, the need for more genuinely affordable housing, and the treatment of homeless families in temporary accommodation.
Allegations of Failed Engagement
Since the October commitment, HHH claims that the council has advised them to "raise issues through existing forums," but the group asserts that these channels have proven ineffective. They argue that drop-ins and online forums are inadequate substitutes for direct engagement with an organized tenants' group, as many residents struggle to resolve problems through these means.
In response, HHH has submitted a formal letter to the Leader of Harrow Council, Councillor Paul Osborn, urging him to discuss improving housing conditions. The letter emphasizes that Cllr Parmar publicly committed to a follow-up meeting but has since refused all requests. The group has not yet received a response from Cllr Osborn.
Campaign Demands and Reactions
Harrow Healthy Homes is advocating for several policy changes, including:
- The reintroduction of rent controls to address affordability crises.
- Discussions on new developments to maximize the number of council homes.
- Improved procedures and customer service to ensure homeless families are treated with compassion.
Jackson Caines, Housing Campaigner at Harrow Law Centre, expressed frustration, stating, "It's shocking that Harrow renters are having to go to such lengths to get a meeting with the politicians who are meant to represent them. We will keep up the pressure until our voices are heard."
Harrow Council was approached for comment but did not respond prior to publication, leaving the allegations unanswered. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between local authorities and housing advocates in North London, as communities grapple with pressing issues like housing disrepair and affordability.
