Flats advertised at reopened former office block

More than 20 families were evacuated from their flats over fire concerns in May

Two-bedroom apartments are back on the rental market at a converted office block that was evacuated due to safety concerns earlier this year.

In May, more than 20 families were told to leave Redstone House in Harlow after it failed fire safety regulations.

However, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it lifted its prohibition and enforcement notices earlier this summer for the block - which has since been renamed Endeavour House.

Former resident Paul Fryatt told the BBC he would never return.

The 47-year-old, who was a private tenant and lived there with his daughter, said he would sometimes struggle to leave the building when the lifts were not working due to his disability.

"There's not a chance I'll go back," he said.

Private tenant Joseph Abban, 45, has not found alternative permanent housing since leaving.

"I am still homeless and sofa-surfing," he explained.

"I just want to be accommodated and have a home and sort out every aspect of my life. The domino effect on my life is enormous and I have to live with it."

About 12 former office blocks have been converted into housing in Harlow in recent years - including Terminus House which is due to be redeveloped.

At Endeavour House, one two-bedroom flat is advertised at £1,575 per month.

In May, the fire service said residents would not have been able to evacuate quickly in the event of an emergency.

But - as first reported by Your Harlow - area manager Dave Bond has since said: "The required work at Endeavour House has been completed and inspected, allowing the prohibition and enforcement notices to be lifted."

The fire service said it improved the detection and alarm system, the automatically operating vents, and the firefighters' lift.

The BBC has approached Conservative-run Harlow Council for comment, but in June a spokesperson said: "We have a zero-tolerance approach to private-sector landlords who do not provide safe accommodation.

"Our housing team continues to monitor the situation closely".

The fire service previously said it served the prohibition notice on Dunlap Property Solutions, which it said owned the building.

The BBC was unable to contact Dunlap Property Solutions in May.

According to Land Registry records, it is now owned by real estate company Beyond Infrastructures Limited.