A woman living in a block of flats was forced to move her fridge into a communal hallway after leaks destroyed her kitchen.  

Nuivene Facey, who lives on the second floor of Pitcairn House, also had to move all of her living room furniture onto her balcony after water started coming through the ceiling two months ago.

The Hackney Council tenant has had some repairs to her flat in recent weeks, but cannot yet use her living room as work is not finished.

Nuivene's furniture is still on her balconyNuivene's furniture is still on her balcony (Image: Newsquest)

Nuivene's fridge also has to be kept in the communal corridor while repairs are ongoingNuivene's fridge also has to be kept in the communal corridor while repairs are ongoing (Image: Newsquest)

The mum, who has lived in the leak-ridden block for 13 years with her husband and son, said the lack of help from the council was taking its toll.

Nuivene told Hackney Gazette: “When there was a leak it agitated the asbestos in the flat.

“The thing that they’ve used to stop the asbestos is now dripping down the living room wall.

“When the water was coming down, I didn’t know what to do, nobody was answering me.

“I’ve had to chuck the settee. There was so much mould in the kitchen cupboards that I could not use them for a month.

“The repairs in the kitchen look like they’re in progress, but they say they’re finished. I’m telling you - this thing is getting to me.”

Stains are still visible on her living room wallsStains are still visible on her living room walls (Image: Newsquest)

Nuivene’s kitchen cupboards have been replaced and her living room ceiling replastered.

But her kitchen window is still leaking water, she claims, and damage to her living room walls has yet to be fixed.

Hackney Council says it was not made aware further repairs were needed to the kitchen window.

It acknowledged Nuivene had requested that the landlord paint the UPVC window, but said "this is something that we would not do". 

Zoe Goodman, a leaseholder on the second floor of the block, said Nuivene’s case was symptomatic of the council’s approach to maintaining Pitcairn House.

She said: “This is an example of how long the works go on for and how shoddily they are done.”

Zoe Goodman said that Nuivene's case showed how long repairs in the block takeZoe Goodman said that Nuivene's case showed how long repairs in the block take (Image: Newsquest)

A Hackney Council spokesperson said: "We have completed extensive works in this property since the leak from above including renewing the kitchen, plastering and painting.

"We have post inspected and have identified some minor ‘snagging’ works which we have been working with the resident to resolve."

They added: "As part of the snagging work we will check the kitchen window to ensure it’s correct operation and if any work is needed we will undertake this."