East London tower block residents described their flats as “like living in an oven” after the building reached sweltering temperatures, forcing them to leave their homes to take breaks from the heat.
Problems with scorching temperatures inside Leaside Lock flats have been ongoing since last year, when one resident found the heat so unbearable they plastered a sign which read “DO NOT BUY THESE FLATS. TOO HOT” in their window.
The Standard spoke to residents in the new-build development in Tower Hamlets a year on, who said extreme temperatures in the summer remain an unresolved issue, making it “challenging” to stay in the building.
Residents will deal with scorching temperatures of up to 34C this week during London’s fourth heatwave.
Last summer, an anonymous resident, using the Instagram account @residentleasidelock, posted a photo of the building with “DO NOT BUY” imposed on it.
The post’s caption said: “DO NOT BUY THESE FLATS!!!
“It has been the worst decision of my life and I regret it everyday!
“The air vents do not work and it is like living in an oven.
“It has become a living nightmare.
“I dread coming home to the flat.”
Nick Stewart, 31, a 10th floor resident who has been in the building since summer 2022, said: “I have to come out for a walk or make sure I sit in front of a fan,” as it becomes too hot to stay in his flat for prolonged periods of time.
He said: “I live in a (south-facing) studio so if you’re sitting in direct sunlight from the big windows it can be very intense.
“Because it’s really well insulated during the summer there’s no escape for the heat.”
Mr Stewart said he has sent several emails to the building managers requesting for air conditioning to be installed, but nothing has yet been done.
One anonymous resident said many people living in the shared-ownership building were reluctant to speak with journalists because of fears that negative coverage of Leaside Lock would damage their re-sale prospects.
A sixth floor resident, Donald Brown, 40, who works as a city planner, said he does not find the temperatures to be too hot or unbearable.
“I think some people tend to sensationalise how hot it gets,” he said.
Mr Brown recognised how residents experience the heat differently based on how high up and exposed their flat is to the sun.
The Guinness Partnership, one of the UK’s largest provides of affordable housing, of which King Charles is a patron, acquired the scheme to develop Leaside Lock in October 2018.
The project is a mixed-use development comprising of five tower blocks which range from shared ownership, social housing and private rental flats.
It has been developed in several stages since 2022 and the final phase is due to be completed in 2026.
A spokesperson for the Guinness Partnership said: “Four out of 440 Guinness residents have raised issues about flat temperatures with us.
“We have been in discussions with them over mitigating measures to help reduce the inside temperature during the hotter months.
“The image from social media is an out-of-date post relating to a homeowner who had a specific and unique issue in their property which has been addressed.
“All the homes at Leaside Lock were constructed in line with Building Regulations.”
