Residents Evicted from Unsafe Build-to-Rent Tower After Years of Neglect
An in-depth look at the ongoing crisis at The Fold: unsafe living conditions, inadequate responses, and the fight for justice.
Introduction
The recent displacement of tenants from The Fold—a build-to-rent residential tower completed in 2022—highlights ongoing concerns about building safety, tenant rights, and corporate accountability. Owned by Legal & General and managed by Urbanbubble, The Fold’s residents have endured years of neglect amidst serious structural and safety defects. Their story underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect vulnerable tenants and ensure responsible management of residential developments.
A Dangerous Living Environment
Since shortly after residents moved in, numerous reports indicated severe building defects—including persistent water ingress, dampness, mould growth, and critical failures in fire safety and compartmentation systems. These issues not only compromised the habitability of the apartments but also posed significant risks to residents’ health and safety.
Despite persistent complaints, the responses from management were inadequate and often dismissive. Many tenants had their concerns ignored or addressed only in isolated incidents. As a result, some residents chose to relocate at their own expense, continuing to pay rent while living in conditions that failed to meet basic safety standards.
From Ignored Complaints to Collective Action
It wasn’t until residents united—organising petitions, raising public awareness, and applying political pressure—that authorities and management acknowledged the severity of the issues. Independent fire safety assessments confirmed the presence of critical defects, leading to urgent measures such as waking watches and phased evacuations during abnormal conditions. These interventions were meant as temporary safeguards, but the underlying problems remained unresolved.
The evidence revealed that the building required comprehensive remediation work, which cannot be safely carried out while occupied. Consequently, residents have been informed that they must vacate The Fold by March 2026—a directive that has profound implications for those who have nowhere else to go and who have lived with ongoing health and safety risks.
Current Offerings and Resident Concerns
Legal & General’s current compensation package provides residents with four months’ rent as restitution, the return of deposits, and an early lease termination option. However, these offers come with significant limitations:
- Eligibility excludes tenants in rent arrears.
- No coverage for moving expenses.
- No rent waivers during the period residents endured unsafe conditions.
- Little acknowledgment of the health impacts or the disruption caused over years of living in a hazardous environment.
For many vulnerable residents—including disabled individuals, those with health conditions, families, and those lacking financial security—these measures do not address the real extent of their hardship.
Systemic Failures and the Need for Justice
The situation at The Fold exposes multiple failures across housing management, tenant protection systems, and regulatory oversight. Numerous institutional mechanisms that should have intervened early—building regulators, safety inspections, and tenant advocacy bodies—did not act swiftly enough, leaving residents to self-organise in crisis.
This case exemplifies the pressing need for stronger safeguards, better enforcement of safety standards, and more equitable compensation mechanisms for residents adversely affected by corporate negligence.
Call to Action
The affected residents are calling for justice and transparency. They are urging the wider community to support their campaign through signing petitions and sharing their story. Your voice can make a difference in advocating for fair treatment and accountability.
Learn more and show your support:
- [Evidence Pack]https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FbURAGq5us2RjEI-rbYeT-OnGnXSC3jwprPvIXu6JC0/edit?usp=drivesdk
- [BBC Coverage]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l7xr1jg4xo.amp
- [Petition for Justice]https://acornuk.good.do/justiceforthefold/Justice-for-The-Fold/
Conclusion
The unfolding crisis at The Fold serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous building safety standards and tenant rights. As the eviction deadline looms, it is crucial that authorities, developers, and policymakers prioritize not only legal compliance but also the well-being of residents. Ensuring safe, habitable housing should be a fundamental obligation—one that communities and regulators must uphold with vigilance.
For updates and to support the fight for fair treatment, stay connected and help raise awareness about this ongoing issue.