Dozens of furious residents gathered outside a North London housing association office this week, voicing their desperation over what they describe as "uninhabitable" living conditions that have been ignored for years.
The passionate protest targeted Clarion Housing Association in Barnet, where tenants from the Dollis Valley estate shared harrowing accounts of severe damp, black mould, and crumbling infrastructure that they say has made their homes dangerous to live in.
'We feel completely abandoned'
One resident emotionally declared they've "had enough" after years of fighting for basic repairs. "We feel completely abandoned," another protester stated, highlighting the mental and physical toll the situation has taken on families.
Protesters carried signs reading "Stop treating us like animals" and "Clarion = slum landlords," reflecting the depth of frustration among the community. Many residents reported that repeated complaints to the housing association have yielded little to no action, leaving them living in what they consider hazardous conditions.
Clarion's response under scrutiny
The protest comes amid growing scrutiny of social housing providers across London, with Barnet residents accusing Clarion of neglecting their responsibilities while collecting rent for substandard properties.
Local housing activists have joined the cause, arguing that the situation in Dollis Valley represents a wider crisis in social housing maintenance across the capital. "These are not just buildings - these are people's homes, and they deserve to live in safe, healthy conditions," one supporter at the protest emphasised.
Broader implications for London housing
The standoff in Barnet reflects a larger pattern of tenant-landlord disputes emerging across London as housing costs soar and maintenance standards reportedly decline. Similar protests have occurred in other boroughs, suggesting a growing movement of tenants demanding better living conditions.
As the protest dispersed, residents vowed to continue their campaign until they see meaningful improvements, warning that this demonstration marks just the beginning of their fight for habitable housing.
