Delay in lift replacement leaves residents of Wandsworth tower trapped and traumatised

Residents of 27 Enterprise Way in Wandsworth, managed by Southern Housing, face ongoing distress as delayed repairs to their building’s lift force tenants to navigate dangerous stairways, highlighting a wider crisis in affordable housing safety.

Residents of 27 Enterprise Way, a tall apartment block in Wandsworth managed by Southern Housing, continue to endure chronic lift failures that profoundly affect their daily lives. Despite repeated promises from Southern Housing to replace the ageing lift this year, delays have pushed the replacement to “later next year,” according to the housing provider. This broken promise has left many tenants feeling ignored and trapped, as the building’s only lift regularly breaks down, forcing residents to climb up to 16 flights of stairs—or to remain housebound if they cannot.

Tenants like Natasha Johnson have voiced their frustration, highlighting the severe impact on people with health and mobility issues. Natasha, whose daughter suffers from sickle cell disease, recounted being forced to carry her daughter down 14 flights of stairs during a medical crisis, exacerbating concerns about the inadequacy of current arrangements. Another tenant described a recent slip down wet stairs while the lift was out of service, resulting in back pain and complicating her role as a childminder responsible for several children. These accounts underscore the physical danger and emotional distress caused by the ongoing lift failures.

Southern Housing has apologised for the disruptions and explained that the delay in replacing the lift is due partly to “unexpected delays,” including compliance with new Building Safety Act regulations. They emphasised the importance of adhering to safety requirements to protect residents but acknowledged that these processes have slowed down the commencement of the works, now planned for next year. The housing provider also outlined support measures they offer when the lift is out of order, such as porter services to assist with carrying shopping and buggies upstairs and communication efforts to keep residents informed during outages. However, many tenants remain unconvinced, accusing the provider of making “false promises” and prioritising rent and service charge collection over residents’ wellbeing.

This situation at 27 Enterprise Way reflects a broader crisis faced by tenants in South London and beyond, where lift failures in tower blocks have repeatedly left vulnerable residents feeling trapped and at risk. Similar problems have been reported in nearby Battersea, where housing provider Optivo is also struggling to provide a timely solution for a faulty lift that has caused physical strain and emotional trauma. The broader issue extends into pest infestations and antisocial behaviour in some blocks, further degrading living conditions and compounding tenant distress.

The plight of residents with mobility challenges has drawn calls for legislative action. MyLondon’s Broken Homes campaign is advocating for specific laws requiring landlords to repair broken lifts within 24 to 48 hours, addressing the significant public health and safety risks posed by prolonged outages. The campaign also calls for a national strategy to ensure the availability of necessary lift parts and better coordination between councils to avoid counterproductive competition for temporary housing, which can force residents far from their support networks.

Many tenants at 27 Enterprise Way feel their concerns have been sidelined amidst promises that remain unfulfilled, while the physical and mental toll of the failing lift system accumulates. As Natasha Johnson summed up: “We shouldn’t have to feel trapped when the lift isn’t working in our own places.” This ongoing issue spotlights the urgent need for robust housing standards and tenant protections, particularly in affordable and council-managed accommodations, to prevent residents from being left isolated in unsafe and inaccessible conditions.

📌 Reference Map:

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• Paragraph 5 – ^[3] (Battersea Nub News), ^[4] (Evening Standard)
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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date is October 28, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the inclusion of updated data alongside older material may suggest recycled content. ⚠️

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
Direct quotes from tenants and Southern Housing are unique to this report, with no identical matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. ✅

Source reliability

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative originates from MyLondon, a local news outlet. While it is a reputable source, it is not as widely recognised as national organisations like the BBC or Reuters. The housing provider, Southern Housing, is a legitimate entity with a public presence. ⚠️

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The claims about lift failures and delays in replacement are plausible and align with similar issues reported in other London areas. However, the lack of coverage from other reputable outlets on this specific incident raises some concerns. ⚠️

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents original content with unique quotes and is based on a press release, suggesting freshness. However, the lack of coverage from other reputable outlets and the inclusion of updated data alongside older material raise concerns about the report’s originality and potential recycling of content. ⚠️