During a recent visit to her Shepherd’s Bush home Eve found electrical sockets hanging out of the walls and construction debris
Unfinished flooring, electrical sockets hanging out of the walls, construction materials left on display; when Eve returned to her West London flat it was clear the repairs were some way from completion.
The mother of two had opted to check in on her Shepherd’s Bush home having been told the family could move back in, eight months after they were decanted to allow for works to be carried out. What she saw on her visit however left her feeling shocked.
“We’ve spent almost a year without our home, we’ve had to move multiple times, we’ve lived with uncertainty every single day, and all I’ve ever wanted is for my children to come home to a property that has been repaired properly,” she said. “I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programme at L&Q which manages Newall Court, apologised for the experiences Eve has had with her home and said the repairs will be finished before she moves in this coming Friday.
Eve, who did not wish to give her second name, has spoken previously about the ongoing battles against leaks and poor management of her home and the wider block.
Last April she also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) how a lift dropped two floors while she was in it, saying she thought she was “going to die”.
“My daughter has asthma,” she said. “It’s a lot of stress for her going up stairs when the lifts are broken down but she’s forced to do it because she’s terrified of going in those lifts and something happens.”
At one stage Eve was left without a bath for two days after contractors removed her old one without having an adequate replacement, leaving the family with nowhere to wash.
Following our reporting Eve and her two children were decanted to a temporary home in Ladbroke Grove to allow for works to be carried out to her flat. Since then she has been moved several times, and is currently in an Airbnb in Shepherd’s Bush.
Eve said she had believed they would be relocated for just a short period of time, though that the extended delays have disrupted her and her kids’ routines.
“My daughter has severe asthma and life-threatening allergies, and my son is also a vulnerable child. Everything I’ve done over the last year has been about making sure that when I finally take my children home, I know they’re returning to a home that is genuinely safe.”
Eve said she received an email from L&Q on July 29 telling her she could move back in, with her stored belongings to be delivered over the following two days.
However when she visited the property to check on progress Eve said she was shocked by what she saw.
In an email to L&Q seen by the LDRS she wrote how it was “plainly evident” the property was not complete nor was it suitable for occupation.
“Even if contractors intend to continue working this evening or tomorrow, it is unreasonable to expect my family to return on Friday immediately after rushed construction and decoration works,” she wrote to the management last week.
“My daughter should not be expected to return to a property containing fresh paint fumes, dust and the effects of last-minute building works.”
Eve has also requested a meeting at the property with L&Q before any move-in date is agreed to ensure all outstanding works have been completed.
She told the LDRS: “For almost a year, I’ve felt like I’ve had to become the project manager for my own home. Instead of simply being able to trust the process, I’ve had to chase updates, question decisions, ask whether the work was being carried out in line with Awaab’s Law and push for proper investigations every step of the way because my children’s health is far too important for me to simply take reassurance at face value.”
Mr Newstead said: “We’re very sorry for the problems Eve has experienced with her home, and recognise it has taken too long to put things right. The work required was more extensive than we originally expected and has taken longer than planned.
“The remaining repairs will be finished before Eve moves back in this Friday. We’ll meet her there beforehand to make sure she’s happy with the work and that everything is ready for her family’s return.”
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