AN Ealing resident waited six years for a leaking roof, that was causing damp and impacting on her health, to be replaced. 

It led to the Housing Ombudsman finding severe maladministration in Ealing Council’s handling of complaints.

The resident, leaseholder of a flat, complained in 2019 she had been affected by extreme mould for a number of years.

The council had previously identified the roof needed replacing and said this would be included in its next planned programme of works.

In the meantime, temporary work to address a leak was promised. 

The resident complained, however, the temporary work was of a poor standard. 

A protracted and unsuccessful complaints process then followed. 

The Ombudsman ordered Ealing to pay the resident compensation of £3,600 for the unreasonable delay in completing major work, for the standard of temporary work and for its complaint handling.  

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “We welcome this as an opportunity to learn lessons, review our working practices and put in place new measures to ensure there is not a repeat of the issues identified in this case.”