A Harold Hill resident has said she is "frightened" the roof will come down in her family home managed by Havering Council.

Betty Ann Power, 63, who has lived in Chatteris Avenue in Harold Hill since 2015, said she was afraid to live in her property which she claims has asbestos, mould and a leak.

Her house is leased from a private landlord and managed by the council, the latter Betty Ann said she has been in regular contact with.

The mother-of-two said she was most afraid of the roof collapsing into her bedroom, which she claims already floods daily.

“We’re just frightened the roof is going to come down,” she said.

According to Betty Ann, an inspection officer visited and said the living conditions were "disgusting".

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She claimed that the roof is filled with asbestos, so any water running through is tainted.

A Havering Council spokesperson said: “We continue to support Betty Ann and can confirm that a surveyor has visited the property and identified a roof leak that will be repaired tomorrow.

"An air test has returned results that are satisfactory which should reassure Betty Ann.

“The council takes mould complaints seriously and we understand that problems with mould can be distressing for tenants."

Romford Recorder: Betty Ann claimed her roof contained asbestosBetty Ann claimed her roof contained asbestos (Image: Betty Ann Power)

 

Betty Ann said she has had lung cancer twice before, but blamed a recent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis on asbestos exposure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease which has symptoms including shortness of breath and frequent chest infections.

Betty Ann also claimed that the health of her daughter Lauren, 28, and grandson Angelo, 8, have also been affected.

Due to a leak, Betty Ann said she has had to put several buckets in her bedroom to collect water.

She said she first contacted the council five years ago, but feels her calls have not been answered.

"I'm just fighting a losing battle really," she said.

An inspection officer came round on Monday (August 1) and scaffolders were scheduled to fix the roof but did not turn up, Betty Ann claimed.

"Since I’ve been in this property I’ve had nothing but problems," Betty Ann said.

She added that she has contacted a solicitor to take the matter further.