A man has told about the horrific pest infestation at his "mouldy" council flat, including rats "the size of his springer spaniel" dog, where he has been living for 20 years
Nic, 50, moved into his Hackney flat in 2001 and he said that the problems of hygiene with insects and rodents as well as alleged antisocial behaviour from neighbours has been there ever since.
He also claimed that the conditions at his home have added to his mental health illness that includes depression and social anxiety - which means he now feels uncomfortable going out on his own, reported MyLondon.
“There are rats that are the same size as my dog - I've got a springer spaniel," said Nic.
"The mould has been treated numerous times but it’s continuously growing back. They sent in one guy to paint the wall, but that didn’t do anything to help."
Hackney Council responded saying since the last treatment of mould, they've received no further reports.
“It’s terrible - I used to be a photographer, and I was outgoing and I could approach people and ask to take photos of them. Now, I don’t talk to people," Nic continued. "I don’t go out. And because of the banging and hammering and smashing about, I don’t sleep.”
Nic said there is a rats’ nest next to his property, and that the light fittings in his flat are filled with insects.
At the same time he claims to have received persistent threats and abuse from his neighbours, and that some of them often play music at full volume throughout the night. He also says his neighbours have at times urinated outside his front door.
Nic’s best friend and carer Tora Peacock, 32, has been helping him in his fight to be moved somewhere more suitable. and because of Nic’s mental health considerations, she has been contacting Hackney Council to have her friend moved, but to no avail.
“The property isn’t suitable for Nic. Ideally we just want him moved somewhere more suitable for his back and knee issues. Getting him moved is the main priority, but for the most part (Hackney Council) is not even answering the phone anymore," alleged Tora.
She claims that, when trying to reach out to Hackney Council, the response has often been hostile saying she has even been “screamed at” by staff at the council over the phone on a number of occasions - and has been told “not to complain”.
Together, Tora and Nic said they have made over 30 complaints about his living situation, though Tora has sent over 100 emails herself asking the council to act.
Nic said he has requested to move homes around 40 times - he claims he was promised to be moved in 2005, then again in 2015, but is still stuck in the same place.
Hackney Council’s Strategic Housing Director, Steve Waddington, told MyLondon: “This is an extremely complex situation which we have been working closely for a number of years with [Nic] and his advocate Ms Peacock to resolve. We recognise that there are some aspects of [Nic's] complaint that we could have handled better, and we have and are continuing to take steps to remedy this.
“Following reports of mould, we carried out a survey of [Nic's] home last year and found the issue was being exacerbated by lack of ventilation in the property. We took steps to treat the issue - including installing new fans in the kitchen and bathroom - and have had no further reports of mould since then. We are investigating if any other longer term steps are needed to tackle the issue and have also provided some advice to [Nic] on ways he can also help prevent it occurring.
“We have investigated reports made by [Nic] of noise nuisance, including visiting the property and providing noise monitors on several occasions, but so far have been unable to substantiate any evidence of this. However, we will continue to work with [Nic] about his concerns. We have and will continue to work with him around all housing options open to him.”
The Mirror has contacted Hackney Council for comment.
