The Housing Scrutiny Commission of Southwark Council met on Monday 19 October 2026 to discuss the significant issue of empty homes (voids) and receive an update on major works projects. The Commission also considered and provisionally agreed on topics for its future work programme.

Empty Homes (Voids)

The Commission heard that despite ongoing efforts, the council is still facing a significant challenge with empty homes, with 1,486 general needs and sheltered void properties and 522 temporary accommodation void properties. While a large number of these are awaiting demolition or disposal, 479 general needs and 1001 temporary accommodation properties are actively being processed for re-letting. Officers acknowledged that turnaround times for both minor and major voids remain high, with major voids averaging 318 days empty. This is attributed to historical backlogs, complex major works, contractor dependencies, and issues with accessing properties for inspections.

A task force has been brought in, new contractors are being engaged, and a Head of Voids and Lettings role has been advertised to coordinate efforts. A new voids management system is being implemented to provide a single source of truth for all void properties. The council is losing an estimated £135,000 per week due to these empty properties.

Key actions requested include providing detailed financial breakdowns of void costs, further performance information on property progression, and considering a site visit to void properties to understand the end-to-end process.

Update on Major Works

The Commission received an update on the progress of major works projects at Fair Street/Devon Mansions, Canada Estate, and Kirby Estate. Of the 36 recommendations made by a Task and Finish Team following a review of these projects, 28 have been completed. However, progress on some remaining recommendations has been slower than anticipated, with revised target dates for completion.

For the Canada Estate, remedial works are expected to commence in December 2026, with completion by February 2027. Residents are being consulted on the ongoing issues with lounge/balcony windows. At Fair Street/Devon Mansions, remedial works are scheduled to begin in February 2027 and conclude by March 2027, though resident access for post-inspection surveys has been a challenge. The Kirby Estate project is complete, with defects being addressed under warranty.

The Commission heard that communication with residents affected by these works needs improvement, and officers have committed to providing more regular updates. The council is working to ensure contractors are held accountable for the quality of their work, with retention monies being withheld in some cases.

Work Programme 2026-2027

The Commission discussed and provisionally agreed on topics for its future work programme. For the meeting on 1 December 2026, the focus will be on pre-decision scrutiny of the new Repairs and Maintenance Policy, the Council Homes Investment Strategy, and potential issues arising from the use of Flowcrete on balconies, which has caused significant water ingress problems on several estates.

Future meetings in February and March 2027 will include updates on empty homes (voids), repairs, damp and mould, resident engagement, and the Good Landlord Plan. The Commission also noted the Plentific system and the Housing Regulator's report for future consideration.

The Commission noted the importance of ensuring that residents are adequately consulted and involved in decisions regarding major works and repairs, and that lessons learned from past projects are embedded in future practices. There was also discussion about the need for improved communication and joined-up working between different council departments and contractors.