Air conditioning disabled for temporary accommodation tenants in Colliers Wood

Tenants living in temporary accommodation at the Britannia Point tower block in Colliers Wood have had their air conditioning units switched off, according to reports by London Centric. The 19-storey building is owned by Criterion Capital, a company connected to Asif Aziz. While private tenants in the same block continue to use their cooling systems, residents in flats housing people through publicly funded schemes have faced indoor temperatures exceeding 40C.

Health risks and management response

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The lack of cooling has led to serious health concerns for families in the building. One resident told London Centric that her two-year-old son collapsed because of the heat. Another resident reported that a child was taken to hospital with a heat-related illness. Magdalene, a resident on the 15th floor, said the heat made the flat feel like an oven. She noted that despite having the necessary equipment installed, the units remained non-functional.

It’s a tale of two temperatures with a clear message: if you’re poor, you can sweat.

Stuart Neaverson, Merton Labour councillor

Building management has responded to complaints by stating that air conditioning is not an amenity for temporary accommodation tenancies. In an email to a resident, management said the units cannot be switched back on and suggested the use of portable fans. Perla Feliz, a resident, told London Centric she had sent multiple messages via WhatsApp and email to management without receiving an explanation for the lack of cooling.

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Political and corporate reaction

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has criticised the treatment of these tenants. A spokesperson for the Mayor told London Centric that the situation is 'completely unacceptable' and stated that temporary accommodation must meet basic standards for decent living. The spokesperson added that the local council is working to hold the building management to account.

Criterion Capital acts as the freeholder of the block. The company leases flats to providers such as Aura Assets Management and People First Housing, which in turn hold leases with London councils to house homeless individuals. Representatives for Criterion Capital told London Centric that questions regarding the air conditioning should be directed to the temporary accommodation providers.