Who are we?
We are a group of tenants in the 170 flats administered by Tower Quay around Somerford Grove in Hackney, East London. After many of us lost income during the pandemic we wrote a letter to our landlord and Tower Quay, our landlord’s agent, on 30 March 2020. We asked them to work with us alongside the London Renters Union to help keep tenants safe and secure during the worldwide crisis. 109 of us signed this letter.
How did our landlord respond to our request for help during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Tower Quay replied refusing to help or talk to us and said “whilst Tenants are isolating the wear and tear in properties is increasing which will be at the cost of the Landlord”. Their response was so incredibly out of touch that the Guardian, Hackney Gazette, Daily Mail, Metro, Independent and Vice wrote articles about us. This has ignited national outrage – the government asking landlords to show “compassion” is not enough: action is needed to secure our rights to safe and healthy homes.
Why are you sending an open letter?
We are asking our landlord to meet with us to discuss our demands. We need as many people as possible to sign it to help us get attention.
How can I learn more?
Our timeline page has a history and some of the media coverage we have received. The parliamentary submission we sent to the housing select committee covers some of the back story to May 2020 and what we are asking the government to do.
How can I contact you?
Email us at hello@somerfordgroverenters.com
You can follow us on Twitter @GroveRenters