Family left in leak-plagued council flat where ‘ceiling looks like it’s raining’

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A family living in a leak-plagued flat say they have been let down by a council responsible for repairing the property.

Laura Niuniavaitė, her husband and two children say they have been fighting a losing battle against the recurring leaks in their Lambeth council flat in Stockwell since November last year.

The family, who have lived in the property for eight years, say the problem is so bad it sometimes appears as if rain is coming directly into their flat.

The water has also ruined the flat’s walls, causing them to bubble and leaving damp stains over the paintwork.

While the leaks have now stopped, at least temporarily, Ms Niuniavaitė claims the council have failed to sort out the damage done by the water. And she says she lives in fear of the problem returning again and dares not yet remove bowls in her kids’ bedroom used to collect the water.

Speaking at the flat in Kelvedon House, Guildford Road, she said: “The very first leak happened last November. I came home from work and it was raining. Everything was destroyed in my airing cupboard.

“The second time the same place started to leak and the carpet was wet. The light went because of the leak. I had water coming out of the light switch. I rang and the advisor said ‘what do you want me to do?’

“Later I found I should have called the fire brigade and that would raise an emergency if I had done that. He didn’t say I should have called the fire brigade.”

Despite ringing the council multiple times about the leak over several months, Ms Niuniavaitė said she failed to get anyone to fix it.

Tradespeople working for companies sent by the council told her they couldn’t help her with the underlying problem, she said.

When Ms Niuniavaitė finally persuaded the council to send a surveyor around to her flat, she claims he tested the damp levels and found the walls in the flat had the same moisture readings as his skin.

She added: “Some of the people [council staff] who answered the phone were absolutely atrocious. They were just being rude. One workman who came here said ‘Go on Twitter if you want help’. And I did. I was desperate.

“The way the council works, every time I call them to ask for the next steps, they say they don’t know anything. I received a phone call at one point asking ‘do you know that you have a leak in your flat?’ and I couldn’t believe it.”

A few weeks ago the leaks stopped abruptly, but the family have been left with holes in their ceiling and water-damaged walls that Ms Niuniavaitė said she does not know how to begin to go about repairing.

She claims the council has since been in touch saying it will repair two parts of the flat, a response which has only left her more confused as she says there is water damage throughout the property.

Ms Niuniavaitė said: “The sad thing is that we moved in here eight years ago and we never had problems. We just did the small little works. I wouldn’t want to put this place [up] for exchange now because who would move here?”

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “We are disappointed that the service we have provided on this occasion fell below our usual standards and we apologise for the failings experienced by this resident.

“Although the leak at this flat had been repaired last month, it has previously been affected by multiple leaks from a neighbouring property.

“We have agreed with the tenant that we will carry out additional work to the flat, including redecorating the hallway, toilet and kitchen.”

Pictured top: Laura Niuniavaitė’s council flat in Stockwell has been damaged by recurring leaks for months (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)