Council housing is a cornerstone of London’s social infrastructure, providing vital accommodation to thousands of residents, including many who are elderly, disabled, or raising young families. In such buildings, especially those that are mid- to high-rise, lifts are not a luxury—they are essential for accessibility, dignity, and daily living.
1. Aging Infrastructure
Many of London’s council housing blocks were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. The lifts installed at the time have now far exceeded their designed lifespans, making them prone to frequent breakdowns and requiring hard-to-source replacement parts. Modernisation efforts have often focused on surface-level improvements, neglecting critical systems like lifts.
Solution: Targeted Investment
Dedicated public funds—such as an expanded “Good Growth Fund”—could prioritise lift refurbishment, especially in buildings serving vulnerable residents. These funds should be explicitly earmarked for critical infrastructure upgrades to avoid being diverted to cosmetic improvements.
2. Underinvestment and Budget Constraints
Local councils face intense financial pressure, limiting their capacity to upgrade or replace lifts proactively. Maintenance tends to be reactive rather than preventative, leading to higher long-term costs and inconvenience for residents.
Solution: Smart Monitoring & Preventative Maintenance
Deploying modern lift systems can allow councils to monitor performance in real time, detect faults before they escalate, and shift toward predictive maintenance—ultimately reducing overall costs and improving reliability. Affordable remote monitoring systems allow councils to know whether a lift actually has a fault before having an engineer attend, which reduces “working on arrival” callout costs. Modern systems which help engineers to identify faults mean less down time and less need for return visits by Technical Specialists.
3. Design Inefficiencies
Many older buildings were not built with accessibility in mind. They often have just one lift shaft and small cabins, which can’t accommodate mobility scooters, stretchers, or even groups of residents during busy times. A single lift failure can leave residents stranded for days.
Solution: Inclusive Redesign Standards
When refurbishing or constructing council housing, inclusive design must be embedded from the outset: dual lift shafts for redundancy, larger cabins with wider doors, and touchless or voice-activated controls to support accessibility and hygiene.
4. Disruption During Repairs
Even when repairs are scheduled, the process can be lengthy and disruptive. Procurement delays, custom parts for outdated systems, and a lack of temporary alternatives can leave residents without access for extended periods.
Solution: Temporary Access Solutions
Maintenance plans must include contingencies such as portable lifts or stair climbers to provide interim access. Speeding up procurement through framework agreements or modular retrofit systems can also reduce downtime. Open protocol lift systems ensure a level playing field for lift service companies when applying for maintenance and repair contracts, meaning that a better level of service can be achieved for the end user.
5. Vandalism
In some deprived areas, vandalism undermines lift reliability and increases costs. Damage not only interrupts service but also signals neglect, which can lead to more extensive abuse of shared spaces.
Solution: Vandal-Resistant Design and Proactive Repair
Lift designs can incorporate vandal-resistant materials and surveillance. Regular maintenance of both lifts and their surrounding environments—paired with resident engagement—helps create a culture of respect and care. As highlighted in this blog post, consistent upkeep can prevent damage from escalating.
6. Lack of Resident Involvement
Top-down decisions about lift upgrades can result in solutions that miss the mark for those who rely on them most.
Solution: Community Engagement
Involving residents in the design, refurbishment, and maintenance of lift systems ensures that upgrades meet real-world needs. Ongoing communication can also help manage expectations during disruptions and foster shared responsibility for upkeep.
Conclusion
The lift crisis in London’s council housing reflects deeper systemic challenges, but also presents an opportunity for targeted innovation and investment. With the right mix of technology, funding, and inclusive planning, local councils can ensure that lifts become enablers—not barriers—to mobility, equity, and community participation. Vertical access should be a right, not a risk.
