Residents ‘trapped’ in 22-storey tower block with mould and leaks after lifts break

Tenants in a 22-storey tower block say they have been “trapped” in flats with leaks and mould after the two lifts in the building have gone out of service “more than 30 times” since August.

Residents living in Rundell Tower in Clapham Road, Stockwell, managed by Lambeth council, have said the broken lifts have caused a number of incidents in the past two weeks, including a pregnant woman allegedly falling down the stairs.

Luis Pereira, 31, lives on the 17th floor with his partner Tania Dionisio, 29, and three daughters, Kelly, nine, Mia, seven, and Melanie, one.

Mr Pereira said: “My children have missed six days of school in the last few weeks.

“I’m a delivery driver so my missus has to take the kids to school. How is she supposed to get down 17 flights of stairs with a baby and two disabled children?

“My two eldest are autistic and they get extremely frustrated and upset having to walk up and down 17 flights. What if one of them falls?

“Last week my wife saw the concierge running up the stairs to help a pregnant woman who fell.”

More than 70 residents have now signed a petition asking the council for compensation for the distress caused by the breakdowns.

Jay Allen, 81, also lives in the tower block. She said: “We need someone to help us.

“Last night it took me half an hour to reach the 11th floor with my shopping. I’m 81. I should not have to be doing this.

“There is a resident on the 21st floor who has COPD and needs a respirator. On one of the days the lifts were broken he couldn’t get up the stairs and had to stay with a friend. 

“He came back the next day but they were still broken and he had to book into a hotel.”

Ms Allen said the lifts have broken down approximately 35 times since August. 

She said the council sent people to fix them but said it eventually breaks down again.

She also claimed the fire brigade had been called to the tower many times to get adults and children out of the lift who were stuck inside during a breakdown.

She said: “I was trapped in one of the lifts and I was scared. Very scared. 

“I have never been happier to see firemen.”

The lifts are not the only problem that tenants claim to be living with in the tower block. 

Ms Allen said: “Flats are rotting away from damp, constant leaks, electrics affected by damp and so it goes on.

“I’ve had to sit on my toilet with an umbrella because of the leaks.”

Mr Pereira has lived in Rundell Tower with his family since 2020.

He said: “My flat has had leaks since January. The flat above me has leaks and the flat below me and the flat below them.

“The smell coming from my toilet is unbearable. We have mould and my wife has asthma. I feel ashamed to have visitors around.”

Mr Pereira said he has contacted the council a number of times since the leaks first started but has either received no response or has been told that his complaint will be passed on.

He said: “In summer I paid my rent a week late on purpose – that’s the first time they called me back, but still nothing.

“I have a one-year-old baby. How can a council let people live like this? It’s wrong.”

Lambeth council has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: From left, Mia Pereira, Luis Pereira, Tania Dionisio holding Melanie Pereira and Kelly Pereira (Picture: Luis Pereira)