A deaf mother-of-three has been forced to live in dangerous conditions for years in an Ealing flat deemed 'uninhabitable' by council surveyors. Stacey Watson and her children face daily risks from electrical hazards, water damage and vermin in their two-bedroom property, where leaks have caused extensive damage to wiring and flooring. "You can get an electric shock just from turning the light on," Watson told the LDRS. In one incident, her daughter Leona narrowly escaped injury when a light switch "kind of exploded," requiring emergency response from firefighters.
The ground floor flat, privately rented in a council-owned building, has suffered from burst pipes affecting multiple rooms. Watson's landlord, Hsing Tu-Lu, claims Ealing Council is responsible for repairs. "The damage is caused by an external pipe in the building, which the council owns. They need to cover the repairs," he said. Watson's 14-year-old daughter Leona has been forced to miss school to interpret for her mother during council visits. "Sometimes it does feel like a lot of pressure. If the council is coming to visit, they don't bring an interpreter," she said.
Patricia Thompson, Watson's mother, believes her daughter faces additional challenges due to her disability. "Once they said 'sorry we must talk to her, can't she turn the phone up so she can hear us?' Stuff like that happens a lot.". The council has now admitted the property is uninhabitable and promised temporary rehousing while repairs are made. A spokesperson said: "The conditions she has experienced in her home as a consequence of leaks are unacceptable... Our surveyor has deemed the property as uninhabitable.".
