A desperate homeless family has been forced to endure squalid and dangerous living conditions after being placed in a rat-infested temporary accommodation by Ealing Council. The property, described as 'utterly uninhabitable', has left a couple and their vulnerable newborn baby living in fear and filth.
The shocking state of the flat was immediately apparent, with the young mother recounting the horror of discovering rodent excrement throughout the property, including in the kitchen and on the floors where their baby would crawl. The situation escalated when a live rat was spotted scurrying through the bathroom, confirming their worst fears.
A Catalogue of Disrepair
Beyond the infestation, the family has been subjected to a horrifying list of hazards:
- Severe damp and black mould covering walls and ceilings, posing a serious risk to respiratory health.
- A broken and unsafe staircase, making simple movement around the property a danger.
- Peeling paint and crumbling walls throughout the dilapidated building.
- An overall environment deemed utterly unsuitable for an infant child.
Council's Inadequate Response
Despite repeatedly pleading with Ealing Council for help and a transfer to a safe environment, the family claims their cries have fallen on deaf ears. The council's failure to act has left them feeling abandoned and hopeless, trapped in a nightmare that threatens their health and well-being.
The case has ignited fierce criticism from local advocates and the community, who accuse the council of a gross dereliction of duty. It highlights the deepening crisis in temporary housing across the UK, where vulnerable families are too often placed in accommodations that fail to meet basic human standards of decency and safety.
This story is a stark reminder of the human cost of housing failure and the urgent need for local authorities to ensure that temporary accommodation is safe, clean, and fit for purpose, especially for those with young children.
