PEOPLE living in concrete-framed housing association houses in Erith have been assured they will get replacement homes if they want them.

They have also been promised action against anti-social neighbours who have moved into some of the empty homes.

The Orbit houses, in Birling Road, were discovered to have potential structural weaknesses caused by the way they were built.

Most belong to Orbit (Bexley) Housing Association, although some tenants bought their homes under the right-to-buy legislation.

Two years ago, Orbit announced it hoped to eventually replace those houses the tenants wanted replacing.

But tenants have become increasingly concerned as no work has started on this proposal.

Orbit admits there have been delays but says it still plans to build a selection of show homes, including a bungalow, to help tenants decide whether or not they want their homes replaced.

It has also carried out random structural surveys to check on the state of the concrete stitching in the existing houses and says no problems were revealed.

Orbit says it now hopes the show homes will be ready by spring next year and says it will give the tenants comparative costings for rebuilding their homes, or refurbishing them.

Tenants have also complained they have seen none of the improvements promised to tenants.

But Orbit says until tenants have made their choice, it is not prepared to make any improvements to the existing houses. Spokesman Rona Nicholson said: “In some cases, this would clearly be a waste of time and money.”

When Orbit bought part of Bexley Council's housing stock, it promised all tenants would be offered central heating, double glazing and new kitchens within five years.

As far as the Birling Road houses are concerned, Ms Nicholson said: “We currently believe we shall be able to meet that commitment.”

Orbit says it treats complaints about anti-social behaviour very seriously and says legal action is already being taken to resolve the problem in Birling Road.