Shoddy bathrooms force six households from Haverstock flats

Camden Council says repairs are under way at six flats in Antony Grey Court, in the Maitland Park Estate, in Haverstock.

The flats are among 119 "high specification" homes built by developer Bouygues for Camden Council.

The ground floor flats have specially adapted bathrooms for disabled people, but the council says there is a fault with the drainage system.

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Marlene Levoy, who has a disabled son, encountered problems when she moved into her property on September 5.

Five days after moving in her toilet collapsed,  three weeks later her bathroom floor tiles started to crack and water appeared to come though the walls. She then noticed black mould growing on the wall grout and up the wall.

She was moved to a flat upstairs and told repairs would be done by February but still cannot return to her home.

"Every single ground floor flat in that development needs redoing because they are substandard," she said.

She explained that in her bathroom the builders used Smartspan, a flooring material that absorbs water when wet and so has to be sealed.

The adapted shower in Marlene Levoy's flat in Antony Grey Court, Maitland Park Estate, Camden (Image: Marlene Levoy)

"They needed to install a shower tray but this hasn't been done," added Marlene.

"The fact they've built this brand new building and praised it and stuff, and then six months on they are having to move everyone on from their ground floor flats because it's shoddy and the whole thing is collapsing - it is embarrassing.

"I did tell them all these things were going to happen but they didn't listen to me."

A council spokesperson said: "We would like to apologise to residents affected by these repairs and have committed to providing suitable temporary homes for them while this takes place.

“Our contractor is liable for these repairs and will ensure the high-quality standards that we require in our newly built homes are met.

"This work is being completed as a priority and we will work closely with all the residents who have been affected to support them with the moves to their temporary homes and then back to their repaired homes."