Residents of a block of flats in west London say they are “embarrassed” to have guests visit due to persistent fly-tipping and people urinating and defecating outside their homes.
Residents Speak Out
Susan and Elaine live in Felix Court in Yiewsley, and they say that problems around their block, including a rat infestation, have increased in recent years. Susan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I’ve lived here about 12 years, it’s definitely got worse in the last year – it’s just a dump, we live in rat city.”
She added: “We pay the rent and the service charge, but it continues to go up. We can’t even open our windows on a hot day because of the flies. I’m worried about rats scaling the walls.”
Management Response
The block is managed by Home Group, a prominent housing association and social enterprise. The organisation focuses on offering social homes, while also constructing fresh residential hubs and providing essential medical and social support to people in need throughout Scotland and England.
But Felix Court, to its residents, represents a failure of the most basic principles of a housing association – to provide safe and clean housing.
Ongoing Issues
According to Susan, complaints have fallen on deaf ears, with pictures showing frequent dumping of rubbish outside doors within the last 18 months. There is also evidence of repeated fly-tipping on the road outside the main entrance which Susan says has led to rats and swarms of flies.
She said: “I think people are more comfortable dumping now, they don’t care about the people who live here. What’s most alarming is that Home Group doesn’t care.”
She says she has reported the issues to Hillingdon Council, but has found it difficult to get a response. “You get nowhere, I’ve tried to contact them online and I get no reply. I get the impression they don’t want to deal with the rubbish,” she added.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Elaine described several instances where she has seen people using drugs in the bin store – which doesn’t lock – and people defecating and urinating outside the block.
While attending the properties, the LDRS witnessed a delivery driver walk down the path, unzip his trousers and urinate while still walking. He then turned around, looked at the residents and walked off again. This was despite public toilets being accessible just metres away.
Elaine said: “It’s like a slum, it is a slum. I try not to have visitors, it’s embarrassing. Sometimes when I sit at the bus stop I cringe and think ‘God… I live there’… and Home Group don’t seem to want to listen, it’s like water off a duck’s back.”
She added: “We are like prisoners in our own homes because we don’t feel safe out here. I don’t come out here at night anymore.”
Home Group Responds
Following LDRS enquiries, Home Group say that issues including the rubbish and CCTV are now in the process of being resolved. Sonia Gayle, Operations Manager at Home Group South, said: “We must apologise for the delay in getting these issues resolved.
“We have had problems in recruiting a new housing manager in this area and because of that, things have slipped, which we know is not acceptable. I’m pleased to say we have now recruited a new housing manager and they were at Felix Court on Tuesday to carry out a full inspection and book the relevant work to resolve the issues.
“We will have the rubbish cleared today. We are also looking at securing the bin store area. The issue of rubbish and pests is compounded by the fact that a lot of high street retailers dump rubbish, without a thought for people living in the area.
“We are also dealing with the CCTV issue, as well as looking to further secure the communal entry area. If there are remaining issues once we have resolved the ones highlighted I would urge customers to get in touch with us.”
Hillingdon Council was contacted for comment.
