A desperate Bermondsey council tenant has resorted to camping on the side of the road after being forced to live in a leaky flat for six months.
Paul Jones, 58, claims the council has failed to fix a leak in his flat, on the ground floor of the Devon Mansions housing estate on Tooley Street, since November 30 last year.
He says water drips into his flat from upstairs several times a week and trips his electrics, leaving Paul alone and stranded in the dark, water-ridden property.
“It’s colder in there than it is out here”, he said. “I could be lying down in my bed – the next minute I hear loads of water coming down. Often it goes in my room.”
It’s usually this point at which Paul packs up his tent and heads outside for the night. “What else can I do?” he said.
His preferred camping spot is located on Barnham Street just behind his building – and barley 30 meters from the council’s Tooley Street offices which loom just beyond.
Even though the problem has been going on for several months, Paul claims no one from the council has been over to inspect the leak.
His walls are now streaked with damp, while buckets are scattered throughout his kitchen and bathroom to collect the constant trickle of water from upstairs.
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The leak has also damaged some of his possessions. Paul is the proud owner of an extensive vinyl collection – but most of his records have been destroyed by water damage.
Paul he said he feels “abandoned” by the council. “I’ve had no one come over since November 30 to check or to help or to guide me – or to do anything” he said.
Since we visited Paul, he claims to have been offered temporary accommodation by the council, but he told us he disinclined to take up the offer while still paying rent and bills for his Devon Mansions flat.
Cllr Sarah King, Cabinet Member for Council Homes said: “It’s an absolute priority for Southwark Council that all our residents have access to affordable, safe and good quality homes.
“We are aware of this leak and are in contact with the resident and their upstairs neighbour to arrange access for the necessary repairs as soon as possible.”
