The Brighton skyline THE council has taken much longer to bring its empty homes back into use over the past year and blamed the coronavirus. The average number of days that council houses and flats stood empty between tenants leaving and new ones arriving increased to 135 days from 43 days, according to a new report. More than 200 council properties changed hands in the year to the end of March – and almost 450 in the 2019-20 financial year. The issue was raised by residents’ representatives at the Brighton and Hove City Council housing management panels that were held this week. Roy Crowhurst, who chairs the residents’ association for Woods House, in Sackville Road, Hove, a council block for over-55, was one those to speak out.
Frustrated residents are demanding action after problems with new roofs and windows damaged their homes. Council tenants and leaseholders are calling for a full discussion about “low quality and inadequate work” on Brighton and Hove City Council blocks, particularly in the city centre. Residents’ representatives have commented about problems with leaks and poorly fitted windows at the Central Area Housing Panel, where tenant and leaseholder representatives discuss housing issues with councillors and officers. A report by Jane Thorp, of the Hanover Residents’ Association and the Leaseholders Action Group, is due to go before four area housing panels when they meet next week.