Hackney Council £24m Lifts Renewal Starts June 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Council is launching the first phase of a £24 million three-year programme to renew or replace the 120 worst performing lifts in its housing blocks, starting in June 2026.
• The initial phase targets the 41 most unreliable lifts and is scheduled for completion by February 2027, followed by two additional phases concluding by March 2029.
• The Council’s Housing Service maintains 615 lifts across the borough, with most reliable but some prone to prolonged breakdowns impacting residents’ daily lives.
• Lifts were prioritised following an in-depth assessment considering age, breakdown frequency, and overall performance.
• Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing Management and Regeneration, highlighted the inconvenience of faulty lifts, particularly for vulnerable residents.
• The programme forms part of a broader £24 million four-year framework agreement approved in September 2024 to modernise ageing lift stock amid rising breakdowns and maintenance costs.
• Earlier reports noted only 61 lifts renewed between 2008 and 2018, leaving much of the stock outdated, with priority given to 39 lifts initially.​
• Cllr Carole Williams stated: “We know from casework and experience that when a lift goes down it has a massive impact on quality of life.”​
• Cllr Robert Chapman stated: “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.”​
• Residents in affected blocks will receive prior notifications about works and support arrangements.
• The initiative aligns with legal duties under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 and strategies like the Housing Asset Management Strategy 2019-2027.​
• Past issues include a 2020 resident death at 355 Queensbridge Road linked to prolonged lift failures.​
• The 41 lifts in phase one are specifically listed as: 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.​
• Cllr Guy Nicholson said: “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.”​
• Cllr Guy Nicholson further said: “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 Guy 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.”​
• Prolonged lift failures have caused significant hardship, from preventing outings and complicating shopping to missing vital appointments.
• The Regulator of Social Housing’s 2024 report cited “serious failings” in gas and electrical safety, intensifying scrutiny on housing maintenance, including lifts.​
• Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Hackney Green co-leader, called for resignations over these lapses.​
• Tenders emphasise reducing maintenance costs, breakdowns, and improving service for over 600 lifts in stock, with social value priorities like local employment.​
• Over £7 million is allocated for the framework’s first year alone.​
• Cllr Nicholson took over housing responsibilities in 2025 following the resignation of Cllr Clayeon McKenzie amid criticisms from Hackney Greens over service failings.​

Hackney (East London Times) February 23, 2026 – Hackney Council has unveiled plans for the first phase of a £24 million three-year programme to renew or replace the 41 worst performing lifts in its housing blocks, with works commencing in June 2026. This initiative, targeting some of the most unreliable among the 615 lifts managed by the Council’s Housing Service, aims to complete phase one by February 2027, followed by two more rounds to address a total of 120 lifts by March 2029. The investment seeks to bolster lift reliability and enhance residents’ quality of life amid ongoing complaints about breakdowns that leave people housebound or struggling with daily tasks.

What Triggers the Launch of This Lifts Programme?

The programme arises from a comprehensive assessment of all 615 lifts, factoring in age, breakdown frequency, and performance metrics. While most lifts function reliably, others remain out of service for extended periods, severely disrupting residents’ lives by hindering outings, shopping, and medical appointments. As reported by the East London Times, these issues have trapped vulnerable individuals indoors, forcing them to climb stairs or forgo essentials.

This backlog stems from historical under-investment, with only 61 lifts renewed between 2008 and 2018 despite rising breakdowns and parts shortages. The Council’s Housing Asset Management Strategy 2019-2027 and legal obligations under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 compel action to maintain services in over 30,000 council homes. Recent regulatory scrutiny, including the Regulator of Social Housing’s 2024 findings of “serious failings” in safety, has heightened pressure on Hackney’s housing maintenance.

Who Announced the Lifts Renewal Details?

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing Management and Regeneration, led the announcement. As quoted in the official Hackney Council news release on news.hackney.gov.uk, 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.”

Cllr Nicholson elaborated in the same release:

“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.”

He 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.”

Nicholson assumed the role in 2025 after Cllr Clayeon McKenzie’s resignation amid Green Party criticisms.

Earlier endorsements came from Cllr Carole Williams, who, as reported by an unnamed journalist in the Hackney Citizen on 5 September 2024, 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, then Cabinet member for finance, insourcing and customer service, noted:

“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.”

When Does the First Phase Start and End?

Phase one begins in June 2026 and concludes by the end of February 2027, focusing on the 41 priority lifts. Two further phases will follow, wrapping up the full renewal of 120 lifts by March 2029. This schedule aligns with a four-year framework approved on 2 September 2024 by the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee.

The timeline accommodates contractors handling 11-15 lifts each across up to three providers in the initial year, with over £7 million budgeted. Full replacement of all 615 lifts would take 20 years at £3.2 million annually, but the backlog necessitates accelerated spending projected at £6 million per year.​

How Was the £24 Million Programme Approved?

The £24 million stems from a Lift Capital Framework Agreement approved in September 2024, establishing standardised tenders for backlog works. As detailed in the Hackney Citizen’s coverage of the 2 September cabinet meeting, the proposal addressed surging maintenance costs—up 24% since 2022/23—and ageing stock beyond its lifespan.

The framework promotes competition, monitoring, and social value like local jobs, shifting from ad-hoc repairs. It supports sustainable goals in the Sustainable Community Strategy 2018-2028 and Procurement Strategy, with whole-life costs estimated at £6.4-6.8 million.​

What Impacts Have Faulty Lifts Had on Residents?

Faulty lifts have isolated residents, preventing outings, complicating shopping, and causing missed appointments. Elderly and mobility-impaired individuals face stair-climbing ordeals or remain trapped at home. A tragic 2020 incident at 355 Queensbridge Road saw a resident’s death linked to prolonged failures, prompting complaints of “dreadful” service.

Reddit forums and casework echo frustrations, with compensation paid for disruptions. Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock criticised leadership, demanding resignations over 2024 safety failings.​

Which Lifts Are Targeted in Phase One?

The 41 lifts were selected based on worst performance across blocks. The full list, from Hackney Council’s announcement, includes: 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.​

These span various wards for balanced coverage, initially pegged at 39 in 2024 plans.

How Will Residents Be Supported During Works?

Affected residents will receive advance notice and support arrangements during disruptions. Contractors prioritise minimal downtime, with tenders stressing service improvements.

Why Is This Part of Broader Housing Commitments?

The programme fulfils Hackney’s duty for its 30,000+ homes, countering backlog from under-renewal. It modernises stock amid demand surges, ensuring reliable services for all.