The shift is expected to generate significant financial savings, with an estimated £14 million being redirected to maintaining safe and warm homes
Camden Council is set to take back direct control of domestic boiler repairs in a move designed to deliver a faster, more responsive, and cost-effective service for tenants. The decision, aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring high-quality maintenance, will also contribute to the borough’s transition to greener energy.
The shift is expected to generate significant financial savings, with an estimated £14 million being redirected to maintaining safe and warm homes. This money, which would otherwise go to external contractors, will instead be reinvested into improving the standard of heating services across the borough.
A More Efficient and Reliable Service
Under the new arrangement, Camden Council will be able to provide a more personal and agile repair service. Tenants will benefit from: increased first-time fixes as older, inefficient boilers are phased out; quicker response times for emergency and out-of-hours repair requests: improved management systems to minimise missed appointments and enhance accountability; a more robust and resilient service during peak winter months when demand is highest.
Upgrading to Modern, Energy-Efficient Systems
The first three years of the in-house service will see the replacement of 2,000 outdated and faulty boilers with modern, energy-efficient models. These upgrades will reduce the need for repeat callouts, cutting long-term costs and improving reliability for residents.
With the Council holding warranties on the newly installed boilers, the ongoing maintenance burden will be significantly reduced. In addition, the transition to energy-efficient systems will contribute to Camden’s broader goal of reducing carbon emissions, helping to create a cleaner and more sustainable borough.
Financial projections indicate that the in-house service will save £10.3 million over 15 years, while the replacement of obsolete boilers will yield an additional £4.05 million in savings through reduced callouts and repairs.
Creating Jobs and Skills Development
A key component of the transition is job creation and skills training. Camden Council plans to create 40 new jobs as part of the in-house service, offering employment opportunities for local residents.
To support the borough’s shift towards green energy, the Council will work closely with the Euston Skills Centre, local schools, and colleges to provide apprenticeships and training in boiler maintenance and emerging energy-efficient technologies. This initiative will ensure that Camden’s workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to support the borough’s long-term sustainability goals.
Cutting Carbon Emissions and Going Green
The Council’s decision to take control of boiler repairs aligns with its broader ambition to reduce carbon emissions and transition towards greener energy solutions. By phasing out gas-powered boilers and investing in sustainable alternatives such as heat pumps, the Council aims to make homes more environmentally friendly.
Additionally, the new service will operate a fully electric fleet for repairs and maintenance visits, further cutting emissions and improving local air quality.
Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, welcomed the move, stating: “Bringing this service back in-house is a bold step towards delivering the high-quality, resident-focused service that our tenants rightly deserve. We have listened to our residents and are making sure we provide a service that meets their priorities—quick fixes, modern heating solutions, and long-term sustainability. This is about making a lasting difference to the lives of our tenants.”
Next StepsCamden Council’s Cabinet is set to vote on the proposed in-house service at its meeting on Wednesday, 26 February. If approved, the transition will take place over the next year, with the new service officially launching in April 2026.
