A house split into two flats that was bought by Brent Council more than three years ago still sits empty, despite the local authority claiming it was finally “ready to let” in January.
The property remains “boarded up with dumped rubbish piling up” in what the ward councillor has described as “an appalling waste of money”.
Sudbury property bought for £530,000
The house, located on Station Approach in Sudbury, was purchased for £530,000 in April 2023 in order to reduce the use of expensive temporary accommodation. Following what the council described as a “complex and time-consuming” refurbishment, it then had to be repaired after flood damage.
After that it was then damaged further by squatters. Despite repeated assurances from the local authority, it has remained unoccupied ever since.
Brent Council bought the terraced house near Sudbury Town station through one of its property companies, which is tasked with acquiring extra homes to deal with the borough’s housing crisis.
After the three separate setbacks, in January this year the council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that both homes are “now vacant and fully under the council’s control” and both were expected to be let out over the coming weeks.
Councillor calls it an ‘appalling waste of money’
Sudbury representative, Cllr Paul Lorber, said: “Buying this house and then keeping it empty for over three years is an appalling waste of money and clear evidence that Labour councillors are not fit to run Brent Council. It is time that someone at the council took responsibility and got the two flats used for their intended purpose – housing families who need a decent home in Brent.”
Like much of London, Brent is going through a significant housing crisis – with a lack of available accommodation often forcing families to be moved out of the borough. The council is also spending around £100,000 a day on costly temporary accommodation which includes nightly paid hotels.
The council has said it “remains committed” to bringing the two flats into use as quickly as possible and expects them to be occupied from October.
Brent Council expects homes to be occupied from October
A Brent Council spokesperson told the LDRS: “7 Station Approach was purchased to provide additional affordable housing for local residents. The council has undertaken extensive refurbishment and compliance works to bring the property up to the required standard. The cost of these works to date is £75,360.33 excluding VAT, comprising works to both flats and associated building compliance costs.
“The property consists of two self-contained flats. The flats have been advertised and viewings have already taken place for the ground floor property. While the refurbishment works have been completed, the council is currently awaiting final Building Control sign-off before the homes can be occupied. This is the only outstanding requirement before tenants can move in.
“Subject to the necessary approval being received, we expect the homes to be occupied from October. The council remains committed to bringing these homes into use as quickly as possible and providing much-needed affordable housing for local residents.”
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Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
