Canning Town Tower Residents Face Accommodation Costs After Evacuation

Hundreds of residents have been forced to leave five tower blocks in Canning Town, east London, following warnings of an 'imminent risk to life' due to a significant crack in a concrete slab supporting the buildings. The blocks affected include Centurion Tower, St Vincent Court, Sovereign Tower, Thanet Tower, and Prince Court. Residents were initially informed by Prime Property Management that they would need to cover the costs of their own temporary accommodation, with the expectation that these expenses would be recovered from third parties over time.

Correspondence sent to residents stated that entering the towers was unsafe and undertaken 'at your own risk'. The structural engineers' report indicated that the transfer slabs beneath the buildings are undersized and 'significantly overstressed', exceeding normal safety margins. This assessment led to evacuation notices being issued, with the South Buildings being deemed unsafe for occupation due to high risks and potentially severe consequences.

Insurer Declines Accommodation Claims

Adding to the residents' difficulties, the development's insurer has reportedly declined claims for temporary accommodation costs. According to correspondence seen by The Standard, the insurer's decision is based on the issue being classified as a building defect. This means evacuated residents may not receive compensation for their immediate housing needs, leaving many struggling to find and afford alternative places to stay. Some residents have reported resorting to sofa surfing or paying for hotels and Airbnbs, with many lacking the financial means to cope with these unexpected expenses.

Newham Council has stated it is providing support to affected residents, having established a rest centre and offered emergency accommodation and support. However, a week after the initial evacuations, many residents express frustration over a lack of clear coordination and inadequate support for securing temporary housing. The placement agency outsourced by Prime Property Management has reportedly been unable to arrange suitable temporary housing for all affected individuals.

Local Business Impacted

The evacuations have also had a direct impact on local businesses. Rise Climbing, a bouldering gym and training centre located within Caxton Works, beneath Centurion Tower, has been forced to close. Although not directly located within the evacuated towers, the building's structure forms the ceiling of their premises. Signs indicating 'Danger' and 'Do Not Enter' were posted on their doors, leading to their closure. Josh Akapo, head of marketing for Rise Climbing, stated that the business has received no information regarding compensation and has seen no officials on site since the evacuations began. The prolonged closure, exacerbated by high commercial rents, poses a significant threat to the business's viability.

James Asser, Labour MP for West Ham and Beckton, has raised concerns about the situation, stating there are 'serious questions about how long this has been a situation and where the fault lies'. He described the circumstances as 'absolutely infuriating' for his constituents and stressed the urgent need for answers.