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I've been living with a huge hole in my ceiling for two years - I'm worried for my autistic son's safety but the council still won't fix it By Megan Howe Published: 08:53, 22 October 2024 | Updated: 08:53, 22 October 2024 e-mail View comments A furious mother has hit out at her local council as she has been left with a huge gaping hole in her ceiling for over two years. The front room ceiling in Sacha Berko's home in Gipsy Hill, south London , collapsed in 2022 due to a leak. Ms Berko said she alerted Lambeth Council to the 'crater' in her ceiling, but over two years later, she is still waiting for the hole to be repaired.
'You can't keep treating people like this. I'm paying rent. I'm not withholding rent,' Ms Berko told MyLondon.
She added: 'It's tiring living like this.' Ms Berko has an autistic son who she claims has tried to jump through the hole and worries for his safety. Local authority surveyors have visited nine times over the last two years, but Ms Berko is still no closer to getting it fixed.
Sacha Berko looking through the hole in her ceiling in Gipsy Hill, south London Ms Berko said she alerted Lambeth Council to the 'crater' in her ceiling, but over two years later, she is still waiting for the hole to be repaired Lambeth Council has apologised to Ms Berko for the delays in completing the repairs and said it was struggling to find alternative accommodation for her while these take place. Ms Berko believes the hole was caused due to severe damp in the three-bedroom house caused by the boiler which has since been fixed. MyLondon reported that Ms Berko is unable to have lighting in her front room and kitchen due to water getting into the electrics.
Ms Berko claims that the property has been inhabitable for years because of the severe water damage and doesn't understand why it has taken the council so long to rehouse her and to complete the repairs. Local authority surveyors have visited nine times over the last two years, but Ms Berko is still no closer to getting it fixed A council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the repairs needed at this property but, unfortunately, we haven't been able to complete them because of difficulties gaining access. We will schedule work on the house once we can arrange access; we apologise for the inconvenience Ms Berko has experienced as a result of the delay.
' The Council added that in recent tears, amid the cost-of-living crisis and housing crises, the demand for its services has reached 'unprecedented levels'. The Council said it is providing temporary accommodation for over 4,600 homeless households every night and more than 4,000 households are on the waiting list for social housing. Lambeth Council has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
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