Lambeth UNISON Branch committee met in April and agreed to back the Lambeth Tenants Heat Campaign

Lambeth tenants and residents on heat networks (communal heating) have been hit with huge increases in their heating charges, more than 300% in some instances, which many simply cannot pay. As many of the blocks have no meters, people can’t even cut their bills down by going without heat. Lambeth chooses to count heat charges as part of the rent, and their policy is to evict people who cannot keep up with the charges, even if they are paying their actual rent in full. Several people are currently facing court cases for eviction. Even elderly and vulnerable tenants have been targeted. In comparison to Lambeth’s draconian and tone deaf policies, Camden borough council just reduced its fixed communal heat charges by about 35% for the new financial year, presumably because their running costs have settled after the last few years of cost spikes”
Lambeth Tenants Heat Campaign was founded in 2023 following the service charge rises to end this situation, bring down the charges, and work towards efficient, reliable, and affordable heat. It includes both tenants and leaseholders, and has from the start been supported by Fuel Poverty Action and London Tenants Federation. It has met with councillors and officers, done media interviews, carried out demonstrations, won endorsements from a wide range of housing, climate, and anti-poverty organisations, and on April 7th 2025, together with Acorn, stood together to prevent a planned eviction by bailiffs.

 Motion
This branch moves to affiliate to London Tenants Heat Campaign, and support their just demands. We believe that
Residents on heat networks should not be disadvantaged compared to people using other forms of heating.
No one should lose their home as a result of arrears in payment of heat charges
Heat charges should be separated from rent, and the computer system implementing action for non-payment should be revised to make a distinction between the two, so no council worker is obliged to implement automated decisions which are inhuman and unjust.