Cramped, lacking the basics and unfit for purpose – tenant’s claims spark investigation

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

An HMO in Orpington is being investigated by Bromley council after tenants complained about the state of the property and what one of them claims is a potential breach of the authority’s rules.

The property, at St Paul’s Cray in Orpington, currently houses six tenants and is owned and managed by Sam Estates as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

A man currently living in one of the rooms of the property, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that those living in the house had experienced a series of issues over their tenancies with disrepair in the property, damp, mould and days at a time with no electricity supply.

The individual claims he has regularly raised complaints with the landlord, but been dissatisfied with the responses he has received, and the time it has taken to address some concerns.

He said: “If you saw the room, you’ve heard the saying, ‘You can’t swing a cat,’ well you can’t swing a gerbil in there… The only thing that was here when I moved in was the fridge and the wardrobe, which is falling to bits.”

The tenant claimed the property has had an issue with damp and mould for some time. He claimed that on one occasion, a leak in the roof of the property led to the ceiling in one of the bedrooms collapsing.

He said: “A contractor working on behalf of Sam Estates painted straight over it. They didn’t let anything dry up in the loft. They just came and boarded it up, skimmed over it and painted it.”

The tenant also said he had no access to hot water for over two weeks, according to the text messages, and had apparently raised four complaints relating to power cuts in several rooms. He claims other individuals living in the house have spent up to four days without electricity at times.

To compound the stress, an April rent rise has left the tenant fearing homelessness. The tenant was issued with a Section 21 notice on May 15, requiring him to move out of his room before July 19, after he refused to sign the new agreement. At the moment he is still living there.

Bromley council’s adopted standards for HMOs state that properties including six occupants require at least four double power sockets, five hob rings, two ovens and two sinks in shared kitchens. However, the shared kitchen of the property appears to have only one oven and one sink, as well as four hob rings and only two available double power sockets.

The tenant claimed: “I’m disgusted. I’ve been told when I first started complaining to them by phone that if I don’t like it, get out because there will be other people that will move in.”

Sam Estates categorically denied the allegations made by the tenant. They said the claims were untrue and did not reflect the condition or management of the property. The company did not respond to a request for further comment.

A Bromley council spokesman said: “This property is a registered HMO which met all necessary standards when originally licenced. We are aware of recent complaints raised and are in the process of investigating these, with the resident in this case encouraged to provide any further information to assist with this.”

They added: “Our Housing Enforcement Team are liaising with the owners and managing agents as usual to ensure the licence conditions continue to be met, with in-person inspections undertaken as needed.”

Pictured top: The tenant shown in the HMO (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)