WANSTEAD: Families left in squalor by ceiling collapse

1:22pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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FAMILIES living in a row of council flats are furious following the collapse of several of their ceilings due to damp – even though they first warned Redbridge Council about the problem nearly 40 years ago.

Households on Carlton Terrace, in Elmcroft Avenue, Wanstead, said they have had to endure over three decades of leaky, mouldy homes and have now lost patience with the “constant excuses” of the council.

Annette Challenger, 45, is one of the worst affected.

Not only has her ceiling caved in, but she has had to spend the past few months sleeping on her sofa because parts of her flat are unhabitable due to leaking water.

She said: “I was in the front room and I heard this woosh sound. At first I thought it was something in the bathroom but I went into my bedroom and the ceiling had fallen onto my bed. It was very lucky I wasn’t in there at the time.

“What I’ve gone through hasn’t been good for my state of mind. The council said they would fix the problem in the summer but I’ve just been told I’ve got to wait another ten weeks.

“The council gave me a garage to store some of my stuff, but even that was damp. They’re a bunch of jokers.”

Frank Kedi, a 42-year-old dispatch driver, said one of his ceilings also collapsed last year.

He said: “There are no words to express what I’ve been going through. They’ve been investigating this for the last 30 years but they’ve not come up with a solution to it.

“Three weeks ago my boiler broke and they said they would have to order a part in. I’m still waiting and I haven’t had any hot water for three weeks.”

Residents’ association chairwoman Beryl Thornton said: “It all started back in 1971. The council have done all kinds of things but never really addressed the root cause of the problem.

“Three people’s ceilings have collapsed. They just can’t keep people like this.”

A spokesman for Redbridge Homes, which maintains the council’s housing stock, said: “We have been constantly working with residents to repair any issues there are with these properties.

“Four years ago, following surveys and assessments, major works were undertaken to replace the roof on the property. These alleviated some of the problems but did not rectify the whole situation and there were still issues with other damp problems not caused by the roof.

“Since the major works we have endeavoured to resolve these issues. We have spent considerable time and resources on these properties and are committed to resolving the situation.

“During the repairs it was believed the problem was eradicated and we compensated our residents and redecorated areas that were affected.

“Unfortunately the problem to the ground floor flats returned and further surveys and investigation have highlighted external wall problems.

“We are now looking to envelop the whole block, and that includes insulation and rendering.

“We are currently undergoing a tendering exercise so we can offer value for money for our residents and carry out temporary work where possible.

“We are continually consulting residents who are encountering problems.

“We explained the works that will be carried to them last week. We are expecting the second phase of major works to be completed in the next few months.”