‘My daughter’s bedroom is pouring with water’: Mum’s health worsening after four years of mould and leaks

A mother who suffers from multiple health issues is suing the council for the third time since 2019 over ongoing disrepair in her flat.

Sarah Engeham, 41, lives with her 10-year-old daughter, Stevie Murray, in Elliotts Row, Walworth. 

Their home – which is maintained by Southwark council – has been infiltrated by leaks, damp and mould since 2019.

Ms Engeham said: “I’ve had so many inspections and contractors walk through my door I’ve now lost count. 

“My daughter’s bedroom is pouring with water right now. We have bottles of dirty water all over the place trying to catch leaking water.

“The way the council have treated us is diabolical – the money they have wasted on these court cases is outrageous.”

Ms Engeham suffers from asthma – a condition known to be linked to damp and mould – and says the mould has worsened her condition. She now requires an increased steroid dosage in her asthma pump to help her breathe.

She said: “I’ve got mould in almost every room and we’re still waiting on the council to install an extractor fan.

“The stress of it all is impacting my health, I suffer from fibromyalgia and stress is a major trigger.

“I’m so tired of fighting the council.”

Ms Engeham said she wants to move out of the property but going through the council’s bidding system “could take years”.

She said: “I’m worried about my daughter’s health. I’ve had no choice but to let her sleep in the living room because the leaks and mould in her room are so bad.”

Ms Engeham first reported disrepair in her flat in 2019 after the council installed her boiler without attaching the overflow pipe correctly.

She said: “The water caved the ceiling of my elderly neighbour’s flat who lived below me.

“She has recently passed away but was suffering from cancer and the damage caused her a lot of unnecessary stress.”

Since the most recent complaint, Southwark council has requested 120 days to complete repairs on Ms Engeham’s flat.

Ms Engeham’s solicitor issued the council a warning of legal proceedings if they do not act within 14 days. 

Ms Engeham said: “They replied to my solicitor saying works were near completion – they lied, they haven’t even got in contact with me.”

Even when repairs are organised by the council, Ms Engeham said the work is “inadequate” or the appointments are cancelled last minute.

She said: “My bedroom window was replaced after years of telling them it was rotten – you could actually put your finger through the wood to the glass. 

“But now it rattles and still has damage around the window sill.”

This follows the Housing Ombudsman’s findings of “inexcusable” failures by Southwark council in May 2023, which saw the local authority pay out nearly £10,000 in compensation to two residents for severe maladministration.

Southwark council has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: From left, Stevie Murray and her mother, Sarah Engeham (Picture: Sarah Engeham)