Councils to withdraw tenants from Colliers Wood tower
Wandsworth and Sutton are moving residents out of the Criterion Capital building following disputes over air conditioning access during heatwaves.
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Wandsworth Council is planning to move its tenants out of the Britannia Point tower in Colliers Wood following a dispute over cooling facilities. The decision comes as a fourth heatwave of the year affects the UK. The 19-storey glass-fronted building is owned by Criterion Capital, a company led by billionaire Asif Aziz.
Sutton Council has already stopped placing people in the block and is working to move remaining residents to alternative accommodation, according to the Guardian. Croydon Council is not removing residents due to high demand for temporary housing, but has raised concerns with the landlord and is conducting welfare checks.
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Disputes over cooling and costs
Temporary accommodation tenants were initially informed they could not use the building's built-in air conditioning because it was not offered as an amenity. Some residents later received letters stating they could use the units if they paid between £35 and £50 per month. However, some tenants reported that units remain broken or that the additional cost is unaffordable.
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The scheme moved households out of the borough after a surge of 4,400 new homelessness applications in 2025/26, offering supported rent‑controlled homes elsewhere.
Aura Assets Management, which manages some tenancies in the block, previously stated that the air conditioning is now fully operational. The agency told the Guardian that the previous instruction to deny access was issued by building management based on operational arrangements at that time.
Resident health concerns
Residents have reported that inoperative air conditioning units have remained unresolved for over a year. One tenant reported that her one-year-old daughter was overheating and her 12-year-old child suffered nosebleeds. Some residents have had to rely on fans or spend time outdoors to escape the heat inside their flats.
Criterion Capital, who own the building and the air conditioning units, need to explain how this could ever happen and why some residents are still going without while temperatures hit 35C.
Stuart Neaverson, Merton Councillor
Criterion Capital has denied earlier accusations that it attempted mass evictions before the ban on no-fault evictions was implemented earlier this year. A spokesperson for the firm said the freeholder encourages leaseholders to work with local authorities to support tenants during unprecedented weather conditions.
The situation remains ongoing as Wandsworth and Sutton work to relocate their respective residents to suitable alternative accommodation.
Questions this report answers
+Why are councils moving tenants out of the Colliers Wood tower?
Councils are withdrawing tenants due to disputes over air conditioning access during heatwaves. Wandsworth Council is acting immediately, while Sutton Council has already stopped placing new residents in the building. Croydon Council is keeping its tenants because of high demand for temporary housing.
+How much does it cost to use the air conditioning in the tower?
The cost to use the air conditioning units ranges from £35 to £50 per month. This fee was introduced after residents were initially told they could not use the built-in air conditioning as it was not listed as an amenity. Some tenants still report units remain broken or the cost is unaffordable.
+What health issues have residents reported due to the lack of air conditioning?
Residents have reported serious health concerns, including a one-year-old suffering overheating and a 12-year-old child experiencing nosebleeds. Many have relied on fans or spent time outdoors to escape the heat inside their flats. The situation has persisted for over a year.
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