Residents suffer ‘stench and flies’ after death of neighbour

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

The neighbour of a man who died in his flat claims he had to live with a foul stench and fly infestation because the council took six months to remove soiled bedding and clean the property properly. 

Colin James, 53, said he had to tape up the front door of the property and hire private cleaners after he claims Lambeth council failed to thoroughly clean the flat in Tulse Hill.

Despite Mr James sending multiple emails to the council throughout April and May, alerting them to an unbearable smell and fly problem linked to the dead man’s flat, he claims it took the council until October to take a blood stained duvet and mattress out of the property.

Mr James said: “Our flat had a dreadful smell of a dead body. It was incredibly unpleasant. 

“The council refused to clean up the flat. They said they had to leave everything there because they had to contact the deceased’s relatives.

“The flies went on for a month. They were huge black flies, bigger than a fingernail. They were over our home and I couldn’t go to sleep because of them.”

Mr James initially alerted police on April 9, to a strange smell that had been coming from the upstairs property for weeks. Police broke into the flat on the same day and found the occupier inside dead.

Mr James said the property was initially treated as a crime scene, but it was later established the man had died of natural causes. 

Police handed the keys back to Lambeth council the following day, according to Mr James. 

Despite the council now having access to the flat, Mr James says they failed to clean it properly which resulted in the foul smell worsening.

Councillor Donna Harris, leader of Lambeth’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said Mr James contacted the group in April ‘distressed’ with the situation at the property.

She said: “Colin and other residents have been let down and their well-being has suffered greatly. Measures must be put in place to ensure this is never repeated.”

In a statement, Lambeth council insisted the property was ‘thoroughly cleaned’ on April 11 and said the work was verified by two housing officers. The council said the property was then professionally cleaned in October after the flat was cleared.

A spokesman said: “This was an extremely sad situation, involving the death of one of our tenants. Since we were first notified of this tragic event, we have worked to clean the property and liaise with the family to arrange for the removal of personal belongings.

“The professional cleaning required was started as soon as we were able to gain access to the flat.

“The council has a duty to respect the property and belongings of the former tenant, and the legal process that needs to be followed in these circumstances.

“We therefore worked with his family as soon as possible, to ensure these could be sorted and removed in line with their wishes. We are sorry to hear that this neighbour is unhappy with the situation in the building.”

The Met said officers forced entry to the property on April 9, after concerns were raised about the occupant’s welfare. Upon entry, the body of a 47-year-old man was found inside the address. Following an investigation and post-mortem, the death was deemed non-suspicious.

Pictured top: Colin James paid for cleaners to clean the communal areas of the building himself following his neighbour’s death (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)