[MargaretR]

I deduce that flats are left empty because, until they have been refurbished to a set standard, they cannot be re-let.
It appears to matter not that many are living in flats below that standard.
The published promised programme of works to bring them to that standard has been abandoned.
However, the way they go about doing refurbs is traumatic for residents, as my month long experience of my disabled shower install showed me.

Obviously HH is so strapped for cash that they can do not much more than fulfil obligations relating to Health and safety, and the solve those in the cheapest possible way.
Hence -remove locks instead of replace locks.

I have had no response yet to my repair report of the landing light off last night.
If it was a deliberate cost saving excercise, they have shot themselves in the foot, by creating a safety hazard