Fire hazards, leaking ceilings and rats: The temporary accommodation from “hell”

Temporary accommodation used by three councils to house tenants has been branded “dangerous”, with multiple housing failings.

The property in Walworth Road is used by Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark councils to house homeless people, or those waiting for council housing. The building is managed by DMS Properties. 

Vulnerable tenants there have described living in “squalor” as the ceilings constantly leak, the rooms are infested with vermin and disbaled tenants are stuck on the fourth floor with no proper fire escape plan.

One tenant, Jailson Da Silva Rocha, has been in the property for seven years waiting for an opportunity to move somewhere else. He was placed there by Lewisham council.

He has developed breathing problems which he needs to take medication for, which his doctor said is from the damp in his property.

“It is like living in hell,” said Mr Da Silva Rocha. “The building is falling apart. When it rains outside it rains inside. 

“There is water leaking into sockets, which almost caused a fire. The fire brigade demanded the managing agents look at it immediately, but they never did.

“If I wasn’t home the building would’ve caught on fire and the fire alarm doesn’t work.”

Mr Da Silva Rocha said the flooding in his property caused him to slip and split his head open.

He and other tenants said the front door was open “24/7” and people could enter the building. 

Mr Da Silva Rocha said he often encountered strangers as he tried to enter the property.

Other tenants are unsafe in the property, with an elderly man trapped on the top floor. “He would burn if there was a fire,” said Mr Da Silva Rocha. “There would be no way to escape.”

A Lewisham council spokesman said: “This property was previously used to provide nightly-paid accommodation for homeless residents. 

“We are aware of the concerns raised in relation to the property and are currently in the process of moving residents into alternative accommodation.”

Another tenant, Serena O’Donoghue, aged 24, is disabled and lives on the fourth floor. She was placed in the property by Southwark council.

“It’s discrimination,” she said. “I’ve been here for nearly two years and complaining about this place since I moved in. 

“Why am I up on the fourth floor? There’s rats and bugs. It’s not safe. You could kick the door to open it. I asked [the council] to fix it and they just put a nail in the lock. 

“It’s crap, like nobody cares about me. I’ve put on weight. I’m so depressed. I had bed bugs for six months and mice got into my food.

“It’s a tiny room as well, you can sit on the bed and touch the kitchen. I feel like I’m in prison.”

Lambeth and Southwark councils have been approached for comment.

DMS Properties declined to comment.

Pictured top: A fuse box which water had leaked into in Mr Da Silva Rocha’s flat (Picture: Jailson Da Silva Rocha)