Tenant describes long fight with council over unsafe Lewisham flat
A woman who moved into a Lewisham Council property as a young adult says she now regrets going to the police to report historic abuse because she has been left paying for a council home she cannot safely live in. The tenant, who first moved into the property in 2009, recounts a catalogue of faults that began almost immediately and says repair work has been piecemeal.
Victoria Barrett, 37, says the council told her a management team had placed a successful bid for the flat on her behalf. When she viewed the property she was so distressed by its condition she initially refused the offer, she told a local newspaper, but was warned that rejecting it could leave her intentionally homeless. Facing the prospect of losing housing, she signed the tenancy and moved in.
Problems began straight away, tenant says
According to Barrett, the first issues emerged within weeks: a broken boiler and electrical faults that left her without power and reliant on out‑of‑hours engineers. Over subsequent years she describes repeated incidents including bathroom ceiling leaks, kitchen flooding, crumbling gas pipes and persistent cold and draughts.
Mould has been a particular concern. Barrett says the condensation and damp have stained walls and damaged furniture. She expressed alarm for her eldest daughter, who has a compromised immune system and is a single‑kidney patient, saying the housing conditions are especially worrying for a vulnerable child.
Calls for proper repairs rather than temporary fixes
Barrett says much of the council’s work has been short‑term or "patch" repairs rather than comprehensive remedial work. She reports being told some jobs were large and would be done properly, but at times was only provided with temporary power supplies or superficial fixes.
"They should have never let this property to me," she said, adding that every time contractors arrive it feels like a patch job.
Local context and wider implications
The account raises questions about how council housing allocations and repairs are managed in Lewisham. Tenants living with damp, mould and incomplete heating or electrical repairs face not only discomfort but potential health risks, particularly for those with pre‑existing conditions.
- Allocation process: Barrett says the flat was bid for on her behalf and she felt pressured to accept to avoid homelessness.
- Maintenance response: Reports of temporary fixes rather than full remedial work.
- Health impact: Mould and damp affecting a child with a compromised immune system.
What is clear and what remains uncertain
The facts reported by the tenant include the move into the flat in 2009, the early failures of the boiler and electrics, and repeated water damage and mould. The council’s responses to these specific allegations, and whether formal complaints or legal action have been pursued, were not included in the account. It is also not clear from the report whether Lewisham Council has logged or logged work orders, or what their planned remedial timetable might be.
| Issue reported | Impact described |
|---|---|
| Broken boiler and electrics | Power loss; reliance on out‑of‑hours engineers |
| Leaks and flooding | Ceiling damage; furniture ruined; damp |
| Mould | Health concerns for immunocompromised child |
Residents with concerns about council housing standards can contact Lewisham Council’s housing repairs service or their local councillors to request case updates and escalation. The account from Barrett highlights the human cost when repairs are delayed or incomplete and will be of direct interest to others living in council accommodation in the borough.
