A north London resident has begun legal proceedings against a local authority due to the terrible condition of her council home, which a pest control report suggested was uninhabitable for humans.
The family describe feeling “depressed” living in the damp and rat-infested property and are desperate for the council to move them out.
Ms Eniola - who preferred that her first name not be used - has lived in the Neasden property since 1992, she currently resides in it with her adult daughter and son - who is severely disabled. Ms Eniola first reported the “dangerous condition” of the house to Brent Council in 2022 but claims she has “been ignored” by the local authority.
Ms Enola has now started a legal case against the council regarding the on-going disrepair issues, which includes sewer damage allowing rats to enter the property, damp and mould growth, and damage to the kitchen sink that causes “foul odours” to spread throughout the house, according to the claim form.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ms Eniola said: “My family is struggling to breathe in the house, we have rat bites all over our body [and] I have no good drinking water as the kitchen sink is busted.
“My son’s asthma has worsened in the house and he’s been rushed to the emergency room. We’re all inhaling black mould and we’re depressed due to living here. [The] council house is killing my family, I don’t want to suffer in silence anymore.”
Since first raising the issues more than three years ago, Ms Eniola claims the council has sent a number of surveyors round to the property but the reports are never followed up on. She said: “[The council] say they have no record of it and just book another one in. In one year alone we had six surveyors come round but they refuse to acknowledge the reports.”
Brent Council’s pest control service inspected the property on November 12, 2024, and confirmed the presence of a “rodent infestation”. In a report seen by the LDRS, the officer believes it to be “fully infested with mice and rats” with mould and damp having “overtaken the entire house”, making it “[un]inhabitable for human[s].” The report states “inhabitable for humans” but this appears to be a misspelling as it later describes the house as “not fit to live in”.
The report concludes: “Considering the current rodent infestation and mould as well dump issue, it is highly advisable to move out tenants due to the vulnerability of the son as it is not fit to live. [The whole] house needs refurbishing due to historical mould and rodent infestation in the property..”
Ms Eniola said she is now taking the matter to court because she is “tired of being ignored” and the house is beyond repair. She said: “The council never wanted to remedy the situation as it’s expensive due to the major works that the house needs.
“I don’t want to die early, who will take care of my disabled son? I just want to leave Brent permanently and move to another [area] for a fresh start.. Brent Council has terrorised me and my family by keeping us in dangerous housing despite reports saying it’s not safe.”
A Brent Council Spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the condition of Ms Eniola’s property and have taken multiple steps to address them. Since 2024, several repair cases have been raised and surveyor visits have been arranged.
“Various professionals, including pest control specialists and surveyors, have attended the property. The council also offered the family temporary alternative accommodation within the borough to allow the necessary repairs to be carried out safely and effectively.
“Unfortunately, Ms Eniola declined this offer, which has delayed our ability to complete the recommended works.”
The LDRS understands that Ms Eniola’s solicitors are currently awaiting a date for when the case will be heard at the county court.
