Wembley: Cladding costs dispute leaves fire-hit residents in limbo

The fire broke out on Monday 29 January

Residents say they feel left in the dark over how long repairs will take to their fire-hit block of flats.

A blaze broke out at Elm Road, Wembley, on 29 January. Cladding was involved, London Fire Brigade said.

Residents say they have been waiting three years for cladding to be replaced with mould and pests also a problem.

Octavia Housing, which owns the buildings, has said it is in close contact with residents to "ensure they are getting all the support they need".

Marianne Duffield has lobbied for the past three years to get cladding replaced as well as building leaks fixed

At least 125 firefighters were called to the scene but no-one was hurt. An investigation is under way into the cause.

Marianne Duffield lives with her daughter in a three-storey block of flats that is next to Petworth Court, which caught fire.

Ms Duffield was evacuated from her home in Goodwood Court, part of the Octavia Housing estate, and has been moved into three different hotels over the past few days.

The 66-year-old said they were getting mixed messages from the housing association.

She said: "It has been really unsettling. We don't know what is happening and we don't know if we will be able to go back into our flats."

Both Ms Duffield and her daughter are living in hotels while working full-time jobs.

For the past three years, Ms Duffield has raised concerns about the building.

Documents seen by the BBC have shown numerous written complaints from Ms Duffield which have been received by the housing association.

The complaints have requested for the cladding to be removed and contain a private surveyor's report which found plasterboard walls had "shifted" as well as numerous leaks in the building, which are affecting her windows and balcony.

"Despite all of this nothing has been fixed. They have told me this is not their priority," Ms Duffield said.

Mrs Fernandes wants the housing association to buy back the homes so they can leave

Other residents living on the estate have said they have also complained about leaks that have caused damp and mould, and attracted rats and cockroaches.

Mrs Fernandes, who did not wish to give her first name, lives with her husband and baby in King Edward Court.

She said they had water streaming into their flat from another part of the building.

"Octavia are the freeholders they should have fixed this. But they didn't. They said it was our responsibility," Mrs Fernandes said.

She added that they paid for the damage to be fixed themselves, but because the problem is coming from elsewhere it will continue to happen.

Mrs Fernandes is calling on the housing association to buy their properties from them so they can leave.

She says they cannot sell their home for a reasonable price or remortgage their home because they do not have an EWS1 external wall safety certificate.

"We're just trapped, we are prisoners in our own home."

She was also concerned there could be another, much worse fire in the future.

"It's just like a ticking bomb. We are just waiting for a tragedy to happen."

The MP for the area, Barry Gardiner, has accused Octavia housing association of "dragging its feet for three years".

Barry Gardiner is calling for the government to put a windfall tax on the industry to get cladding repairs done

He held a meeting with residents on Friday, where they raised more concerns which included fire alarms failing to go off, and police incorrectly advising residents to "stay put" in their flats.

Residents also told the MP that Octavia Housing had failed to repair gas boilers and appliances for over six months and they were then told they were unsafe and should not be used, yet they were not capped off by a certified gas fitter.

Mr Gardiner has previously said Octavia Housing is locked in a dispute with the developer, the Vistry Group, over who should pay for the removal of the cladding.

He is calling for the government to put a windfall tax on the industry to cover the costs of making buildings fire safe and then recover costs against those responsible at a later date.

Octavia Housing said: "We understand that the fire at Elm Road was a distressing experience for our residents. Their safety and wellbeing remains our number-one priority as we continue to offer every possible assistance to them that we can.

"We are in close contact with residents of Elm Road to ensure they are getting all the support they need.

"If any resident has a concern about the condition of their home, including the presence of damp and mould, we urge them contact us."

A spokesperson for the Vistry Group, a housebuilding firm, previously said they could not comment on the specific details.

"However, we have been working with the building owner and will continue to do so to help ensure works are completed on site as necessary," the firm added.

"We are continuing to engage with all parties as a matter of urgency to put in place the appropriate arrangements."

The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities said: "Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the government has introduced tough new building safety regulations through its landmark Building Safety Act.

"We know more needs to done and at a faster pace - we continue to work with local enforcement authorities and have direct contact with those responsible for buildings with unsafe cladding."