Residents from the Archway Heights block at a communal meeting organised by housing union Acorn

A COMMUNITY of tenants in Archway have told their landlords “enough is enough”, at the launch of a new campaign to demand more accountability on their below-standard living conditions.

Residents from the Archway Heights block sent a collective demands letter to landlords Places For People, after a communal meeting organised by housing union Acorn last week.

The Tribune previously reported on the ongoing struggles of one tenant, Natasha Dyett, who said she felt like she had been “abused” by housing association Origin. Ms Dyett has now mobilised tenants throughout the building to campaign against what they say are blockwide issues.

Origin Housing, which is in control of the building, is completing an integration into national housing association Places For People, meaning that it will cease to exist.

Scaffolding has encased Archway Heights for more than five years, reducing light into the building and access to outside space. Origin says that the scaffolding was put up to complete “building safety works” but they are unable to complete it without approval from the Building Safety Regulator, which they expect in April 2026.

During the meeting, the residents also reported that the building’s sub-standard security systems allow forced entry, leading to members of the public using the basement to smoke crack cocaine, causing safety concern.

They added that the heating system does not work properly throughout the block.

The Tribune understands that, despite these outstanding issues, Places For People has announced a rent increase.

The residents’ letter demands that Places For People complete the scaffolding works, improve the security systems, fix the heating system, and freeze the rent.

Anna Donnelly says she has been waiting eight years for Origin to fix outstanding issues in her flat

One tenant, Anna Donnelly, told the Tribune that she has been waiting eight years for Origin to fix outstanding issues of disrepair in her flat, where she has lived with her children for 14 years.

She said: “I’m sick of just being told ‘sorry’ by our landlord. For so long, it’s felt like a lost cause, they’ve just palmed me and my family off. I’ve tried to move flats multiple times because of our issues, but I feel stuck here.

“We’re all so frustrated about being treated like this, we’ve all tried everything in our power to sort it out but it feels like we’ve been stuck in a Catch 22.

“For the first time, we’re feeling optimistic that we can take the fight to our landlords. Natasha starting this campaign has also meant we’ve all learnt that we all have these in common and created a real sense of community throughout the block. We’re ready for the fight.”

Acorn organiser Dan Newcombe added: “These mergers are what Places For People do, they go around the country swallowing up smaller housing associations and become this big housing empire.

“They increase rents, charging way more than usual for social housing, skimming out repairs and the people at the top of these organisations make a lot of money from it.

“Despite that, it’s great to see optimism and community spirit amongst the residents of Archway Heights.”

A spokesperson for Origin housing and Places For People said: “We are committed to resolving any long-outstanding repairs and urge customers who are not already in contact with us to get in touch so we can take prompt action.

“Scaffolding remains in place to support essential building safety work. We cannot begin this work until approval is granted by the Building Safety Regulator under the Building Safety Act 2022.

“This decision has been repeatedly delayed, with the current target date set for April 2026. These delays are affecting many residents nationally, and while this is outside our control, we continue to press for progress.

“We recognise the inconvenience caused and apologise for the ongoing disruption. In the meantime, we have been providing regular compensation.

“We are also addressing security concerns, working with police, improving door security, and securing external stores. Rent increases follow national social housing regulations (CPI + 1 per cent). We will continue to update residents as new information becomes available.”