local authority:   Tower Hamlets Council

Sylhet, formerly the New Sylhet Housing Co-op, was originally formed in July 1983 by a group of Bangladeshi residents in Parfett Street and Myrdle Street, Stepney.

The aims and objectives were to improve the appalling housing conditions of its members, the vast majority of whom originated from the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.

After lengthy campaigning the co-operative purchased 34 multi-occupied, dilapidated houses in Parfett Street, Myrdle Street, and Jubilee Street in March 1986. Built at the end of the eighteenth century, the properties had undergone 200 years of intensive use and were in very poor condition.

The properties were renovated in stages by the co-operative’s then development agent, Solon Co-operative Housing Services. During the first phase 5 houses in Parfett Street were renovated and in phase two a further 7 houses in Parfett Street were demolished and rebuilt. Stage three saw the demolition of properties at Jubilee Street and the building of 3 new five bed houses.

By the beginning of stage four - the demolition and rebuilding of the properties in Myrdle Street, the co-operative was having difficulty maintaining its status as an independent co-operative. The majority of members wanted to remain a co-operative, but some wished to have their homes managed for them by a traditional housing association.

CDS Co-operatives and Bethnal Green & Victoria Park Housing Association (BGVPHA) were invited by the housing regulator [then the Housing Corporation] to assist the co-operative. In May 1994 it voted to transfer its assets to CDS Co-operatives on the understanding that CDS would transfer ownership of the homes of those who wished to be managed by a traditional housing association to BGVPHA (14 of the co-op’s properties were transferred in 1996).

By this time the houses in Parfett Street and Myrdle Street had been Grade ll listed. Funding was secured for stage four (phase one) from the Housing Corporation, English Heritage, Stepney Neighbourhood and the Heritage of London Trust and the refurbishment was completed in July 1998. Funding for stage four (phase two) came from the Housing Corporation, Heritage Lottery Fund and LB Tower Hamlets and this was completed and handed over in August 1998.

Sylhet is a mix of street properties; 29 Parfett Street consists of 4 two bed four person flats and 1 three bed four person maisonette, all the other properties are houses varying from 4 to 5 beds for 6 to 7 people.

Special features incorporated into the scheme were robust kitchens that could stand up to catering for large numbers, hardwearing and heat resistant work surfaces and deep shelves to accommodate huge cooking pots. High neck taps in wash basins allow jugs to be filled, lavatories face away from Mecca and showers were either provided above baths or separate to cater for cleansing before prayer.

Sylhet issues secure and assured tenancies and has a 100% nominations agreement with LB Tower Hamlets who operate a choice based lettings scheme.

Sylhet was de-registered as a housing co-operative in January 2007.