'I'm trapped in hell sleeping on my living room floor as mould grows through my flat

Jun 21, 2023

Sotiris claims his 'hellish' Clapham flat is freezing and riddled with mould, and he 'lives in fear' the ceiling will fall down

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A South London man claims he has been trapped sleeping in his living room for seven months, after a leak caused a breakout of black mould throughout his bedroom. Sotiris Halkou, 34, told MyLondon that the problems in his flat began when he came back from a holiday last August to water dripping into his bedroom and his possessions destroyed.

Sotiris explained that a burst pipe in his neighbour's kitchen above led to water dripping into his bedroom while he was away. He claims he is now being forced to live in the sitting room of the property in Clapham, South West London.

Speaking to MyLondon, Sotiris said: "I've had to live in my sitting room with my dog for the last eight months. I've also had no central heating for the last seven weeks. I have to use a portable heater to try to keep me warm but in a place like this, I'm waking up with cold hands."

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Sotiris explained that he reached out to his housing association Peabody for help - he claims a contractor came out and pulled parts of his ceiling away to access electrical wiring and inspect the leak. Sotiris thought the contractor would be stripping away the whole ceiling and installing a new one - instead, he claims he has been left with gaping holes in his home.

Eight months after the incident, Sotiris claims he has had to resort to sleeping in his front room. He told MyLondon thick black mould has started to grow on the walls of his bedroom, the electrics in the room still don't work, and the ceiling is "no closer" to being fixed.

The 34-year-old also claims that he suffered a chest infection that Peabody was aware could lead to major health complications due to the medication he is on, but he has still not been moved.

"This place is hell. My bedroom ceiling could collapse at any time," Sotiris said. "I kept trying to clean it up but I've had enough now. I've emailed, sent complaints, I've told Peabody. All they say is they'll be back in contact and then never come back. I'm still paying my rent every month on top of this situation."

When Sotiris moved into the property five years ago, he was happy to finally move into his first own place. However, he claims issues have been never ending since moving in and he feels like "there's always something going on" in the house.

He claims Peabody has promised to send contractors around but "nothing ever seems to come of it". Sotiris continued: "I don't bring people around. I only stay here myself in my front room. It's depressing, I'm tired and, I've got to stay on a double mattress in my living room.

"I go to bed freezing in my tracksuit with two covers and I still wake up freezing. I'll tell [Peabody] that I'm ill and I've got a chest infection and the response I get is, 'We're sorry you're ill, we are getting someone onto it.' Then, nothing ever happens.

"I tell them I live on my own - what if the ceiling collapses on me and I pass out? Who is going to help me then? I try not to stay here much and instead I'll go to my girlfriend's or my mum's."

Sotiris is also on a range of medications to help treat his cardiovascular disease that sees his body producing too much cholesterol - he says Peabody is aware but they "don't care".

"I've had to get solicitors involved because it's gone on for too long these issues," he said. "Every time it's them saying they'll get someone out, then nothing comes of it. I was lucky to even get this house five years ago and thought I'd take it. I ask them why they can't move me while they try to fix things and then I get no reply. It's just tiring."

A spokesperson for Peabody said: "We are sorry that Mr Halkou’s case has not been handled as quickly as both he and we would have liked. Mr Halkou reported a leak from the ceiling which affected his bedroom. The bedroom ceiling and roof were made safe and tidied up the following day, but there are some final repairs that need doing.

“We have until now been unable to agree a time with Mr Halkou to complete these repairs and are pleased he is happy for the work to start this week. Separately, we are aware of a heating issue in his home which has needed thorough investigation and we have made an appointment with him to do this.

“The safety of our residents and the maintenance of their homes is important to us, and we will make sure that he is happy with the repairs once completed.”