Croydon council plans to offer free kitchens and bathrooms to tenants who agree to downsize their homes

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

Croydon Council plans to offer free kitchen and bathroom upgrades, plus full redecoration, to council tenants willing to downsize from homes larger than they need. The bankrupt authority — which has declared bankruptcy three times this decade — hopes the renovation incentive will free up family-sized properties for the more than 8,500 households on its waiting list. A previous scheme offering cash payments of up to £8,000 attracted just 13 takers last year and seven so far in 2026. The pilot is due to begin in late October, subject to approval by the Housing Assurance Board on Monday.

Tenants told the council money was not the deciding factor; they wanted to stay in their communities and move into good-quality homes.

Of the 234 single tenants in under-occupied homes identified by officers, 230 are aged over 65.