Hackney Council £24m Lifts Renewal in Estates 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Council is launching a £24 million three-year programme to renew or replace the 120 worst performing lifts in its housing blocks, starting this summer in June 2026.
• The first phase targets 41 of the most unreliable lifts among the Council’s 615 lifts, with completion by February 2027, followed by two more phases ending March 2029.
• Lifts were prioritised after an in-depth assessment based on age, breakdown frequency, and overall performance.
• Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing Management and Regeneration, stated that constant lift problems are “annoying as it is inconvenient” and trap residents at home.
• The programme is part of a broader four-year £24 million framework approved on 2 September 2024 by the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee.
• Between 2008 and 2018, only 61 lifts were renewed out of around 615, failing to maintain high standards amid rising breakdowns and defective parts.​
• Annual costs estimated at £6 million due to backlog, up from £3.2 million for full 20-year replacement of 600+ lifts.​
• Cllr Carole Williams said: “We know from casework and experience that when a lift goes down it has a massive impact on quality of life.”​
• Cllr Robert Chapman, former Cabinet member for finance, insourcing and customer service, called lift failures “one of the biggest bugbears our residents have.”​
• Residents in affected blocks will receive prior notifications and support during works.
• The initiative aligns with the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, Housing Asset Management Strategy 2019-2027, Sustainable Community Strategy 2018-2028, and Sustainable Procurement Strategy.
• Specific phase one lifts include: 1-29 Balmoral House; 161-185, 186-210, 211-236 and 236-260 Banister House; 1-54 Barbrook House; 1-25 Catesby House; 168-174 Evering Road; 1-35 Fulke House; 1-25 Hayward House; 1-29 Holyrood House; 1-35 Hunsden House; both lifts at 1-90 Lancresse; 1-17, 18-32, 33-46 and 48-57 Nevitt House; 53-98 Nye Bevan; both lifts at 1-93 Pitcarin House; both lifts at 1-90 Portelet Court; 1-19 and 20-29 Nisbet House; both lifts at 1-54 Rosedale House; 25-103, 82-160 and 162-240 Rowley Gardens; both lifts at Rozel Court; both lifts at 1-20 Sheridan House; both lifts at 49-99 The Mount; 1-24 Vanbrugh House; 1-30 and 55-90 Wenlock Court; both lifts at 1-94 Woolridge Way.​
• Historical context: 2020 resident death at 355 Queensbridge Road due to prolonged lift failures; 2024 Regulator of Social Housing findings on safety failings.
• Cllr Nicholson assumed housing role in 2025 after Cllr Clayeon McKenzie’s resignation amid Green Party criticisms led by Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock.
• Council committed to appointing at least three contractors for simultaneous works to modernise priority lifts.​
• Impacts include residents unable to go out, struggling with shopping, missing appointments, especially for elderly and mobility-impaired.

Hackney (East London Times) February 21, 2026 – Hackney Council has detailed plans to renew or replace the 120 worst lifts in its estate blocks as part of a £24 million three-year project, with work on the first 41 priority lifts beginning in June. This initiative targets longstanding reliability issues in the borough’s 615 council-managed lifts, aiming to enhance residents’ quality of life after years of complaints over frequent breakdowns. The announcement underscores the council’s commitment to its housing stock, where over 30,000 tenants and leaseholders reside.

What Triggers the Launch of This Lifts Programme?

Persistent lift failures across Hackney’s council estates have prompted this major investment, following an in-depth assessment of all 615 lifts managed by the Housing Service. While most lifts remain reliable, others have been out of service for extended periods, severely disrupting daily lives—from preventing outings and complicating shopping to causing missed medical appointments.

As detailed in the official Hackney Council news release on news.hackney.gov.uk, these issues disproportionately affect vulnerable residents, including the elderly and those with mobility challenges, who may feel trapped indoors or face arduous stair climbs. The programme addresses a backlog exacerbated by limited prior investment, with only 61 lifts renewed between 2008 and 2018 out of the current stock.

Who Announced the Lifts Renewal Details?

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing Management and Regeneration, led the announcement of the programme details. As reported by the Hackney Council press team in their February 2026 news article, Cllr Nicholson stated:

“Living in a Council owned block where there are constant problems with lifts is as annoying as it is inconvenient and for some residents it means they are trapped in their home with the options of either not going out or having to face a struggle up and down staircases.”

He continued: “The vast majority of the Council’s 615 lifts are reliable, but not all are. This £24million programme will ensure that the 120 worst lifts are either renewed or replaced. Phase one will target 41 of the most unreliable lifts.” Cllr Nicholson added:

“This is part of Hackney Council’s commitment to invest into its homes and estates and it will go some way in improving the quality of life for those residents who have had to live with broken lifts.”

Cllr Nicholson took over housing responsibilities in 2025, replacing Cllr Clayeon McKenzie following calls for resignation from Hackney Greens co-leader Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock over repeated service failings.

When Does the First Phase Start and End?

The first phase commences in June 2026 and targets the 41 worst lifts for renewal or replacement, with completion scheduled by the end of February 2027. Two subsequent phases will follow, addressing the remaining 79 priority lifts among the 120 total, culminating by March 2029.

This timeline aligns with a four-year framework approved on 2 September 2024, initially prioritising 39 lifts in the first year. As outlined in the Hackney Citizen’s coverage of the cabinet meeting, the council plans to appoint at least three contractors to work simultaneously on these “lifts that are in dire need of modernisation.”

How Was the £24 Million Programme Approved?

The £24 million allocation stems from a Lift Capital Framework Agreement, approved by Hackney Council’s Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee on Monday 2 September 2024. The committee report highlighted rising breakdowns, defective parts, and maintenance challenges, admitting that past progress

“has not allowed the necessary modernisation of the current lift stock to be maintained to a high standard.”

Cllr Carole Williams praised the proposals, stating as reported by Hackney Citizen journalists:

“We know from casework and experience that when a lift goes down it has a massive impact on quality of life.”

Cllr Robert Chapman, Cabinet member for finance, insourcing and customer service at the time, remarked:

“This is such an important area to get right now, and I’m really glad we have these robust proposals to help get all our lifts working. One of the biggest bugbears our residents have is the failure of lifts in certain areas.”​

Revised estimates peg annual costs at £6 million due to backlog pressures, compared to £3.2 million yearly for a full 20-year replacement of all 600+ lifts.​

Which Lifts Are Targeted in Phase One?

The 41 phase one lifts, selected via comprehensive evaluation, span multiple estates: 1-29 Balmoral House; blocks at Banister House (161-185, 186-210, 211-236, 236-260); 1-54 Barbrook House; 1-25 Catesby House; 168-174 Evering Road; 1-35 Fulke House; 1-25 Hayward House; 1-29 Holyrood House; 1-35 Hunsden House; both at 1-90 Lancresse; Nevitt House blocks (1-17, 18-32, 33-46, 48-57); 53-98 Nye Bevan; both at 1-93 Pitcarin House; both at 1-90 Portelet Court; Nisbet House (1-19, 20-29); both at 1-54 Rosedale House; Rowley Gardens (25-103, 82-160, 162-240); both at Rozel Court; both at 1-20 Sheridan House; both at 49-99 The Mount; 1-24 Vanbrugh House; Wenlock Court (1-30, 55-90); both at 1-94 Woolridge Way.​

What Impacts Have Faulty Lifts Had on Residents?

Faulty lifts have isolated residents, forcing stair use and hindering access to essentials, with profound effects on quality of life. A tragic 2020 incident at 355 Queensbridge Road saw a resident’s death amid prolonged failures, sparking outrage over “dreadful” service.

Hackney’s Labour executive mayor Caroline Woodley assured scrutiny commission members in 2025 that lift replacements would reduce complaints, noting issues in nearly every ward. Compensation has been paid for lift breakdowns alongside hot water losses and overdue repairs.​

The 2024 Regulator of Social Housing report exposed “serious failings” in gas and electrical safety across thousands of homes, amplifying maintenance concerns.​

How Will Residents Be Supported During Works?

Residents in targeted blocks will be notified in advance, with support arrangements for disruptions during replacements. This complies with the council’s legal duty under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 to maintain lifts in over 30,000 homes.

The framework ensures standardised rates, competition among up to three contractors (11-15 lifts each in year one), and monitoring for value, shifting from ad-hoc repairs amid 24% cost rises since 2022/23.

Why Is This Part of Broader Housing Commitments?

Hackney Council describes maintaining homes as “both a privilege and a duty,” with lifts vital for 30,000+ residents. The programme supports the Sustainable Community Strategy 2018-2028, Procurement Strategy 2018-2022, and Housing Asset Management Strategy 2019-2027.

It projects £6.4-6.8 million whole-life costs, prioritising social value like local jobs. Following leadership shifts and regulatory scrutiny, this investment signals renewed focus on reliable housing amid surging demands and ageing infrastructure.