Croydon leaseholders face heating crisis amid gas leak dispute
Residents at Admiral Court have been without gas since March 4, with no clear resolution in sight.
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More than 60 households at Admiral Court in Croydon have been without heating and hot water for over three months. The gas supply was cut off on March 4 following reports of potentially dangerous leaks. Residents have described the situation as 'extremely difficult', with some resorting to washing in buckets or using camping showers.
The ongoing lack of gas has left leaseholders in limbo, unable to sell their properties. Samantha Banner, a leaseholder, stated that her buyer withdrew due to rising service charges and the unresolved gas issues. She said, 'We are in absolute limbo. We can't put it back on the market because of the situation with the gas.'
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Dispute over repair costs
A significant obstacle to resolving the issue is a dispute over who should fund the necessary remedial works. An expert witness report, commissioned by the freeholder Groundinvest 101 (Limited) and managing agent Warwick Estates, found in August 2026 that the gas supply pipework had not been installed to the required standards. The original developer, UK Land Assets, which built the property in 2019, has since been liquidated, making it difficult to recover costs from them.
Warwick Estates stated that neither it nor the freeholder was involved in the original development and that, under the lease terms, gas pipes are the responsibility of individual leaseholders. However, they acknowledged the complexity of the situation, adding that 'significant obstacles have led to delays in remediation'. The managing agent is now seeking further expert advice on the potential installation of electric heating and hot water systems for each flat.
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The Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, a charity supporting leaseholders, has highlighted that legal action against developers can be challenging, especially when they are no longer trading. Martin Boyd from the charity noted that the law often remains 'stacked against the leaseholders who have a limited means of redress for building defects'.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government described the situation as 'completely unacceptable' and urged 'those responsible to carry out vital building works urgently'. The ministry is also working on reforms to strengthen protections for leaseholders.
Croydon Churches Housing Association (CCHA), which holds leases for 22 apartments, stated that the freeholder is responsible for finding a long-term solution. CCHA has provided some tenants with alternative accommodation, electric heaters, and temporary electric showers, and has offered to cover additional electricity costs for shared ownership leaseholders.
What happens next
The managing agent, Warwick Estates, expects to receive advice and costings for potential electric heating and hot water solutions in the coming weeks. Residents are awaiting clarity on when their gas supply will be restored or alternative heating solutions will be implemented.
Questions this report answers
+Why have residents at Admiral Court lost their gas supply?
Residents have been without a gas supply since March 4 due to potentially dangerous leaks. An expert report found that the gas supply pipework was not installed to the required standards, leading to the shutdown.
+Who is responsible for paying for the repairs?
There is a dispute over who should pay for the remedial works. The original developer, UK Land Assets, has been liquidated. The managing agent, Warwick Estates, suggests leaseholders are responsible under their leases, but acknowledges the complexity.
+What is being done to help residents in the meantime?
Croydon Churches Housing Association has provided some tenants with alternative accommodation, electric heaters, and temporary electric showers. They are also offering to cover additional electricity costs for shared ownership leaseholders.
+When will the gas supply be restored?
There is currently no clear timeframe for the gas supply to be restored. The managing agent is seeking further expert advice on potential electric heating and hot water solutions, with costs expected in the coming weeks.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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