Man left to live in ‘horror film’

Published: 18 February 2010
by TOM FOOT

SHOCKING images from inside the home of a recluse have cast serious doubt over the council’s ability to take care of its most vulnerable tenants.

The pensioner, a mental health patient whose family have asked not to be named, has lived alone in Hampstead, refusing contact with friends of family for more than 25 years.

Neighbours said they had made more than 1,000 complaints to Camden Council about the smell coming from his council bedsit since he was placed there in 1984.

But no social worker or housing officer has gained entrance to the property despite serious concerns he could not take care of himself.

The extent of the living conditions have only come to the attention of the Town Hall after he was taken to the Royal Free following a serious car accident in November.

Neighbours found he had been living in rotting conditions, without any heating, radio, television or phone. They have compared the scenes to “a horror film” and called for the council to improve its service to vulnerable tenants living in street properties.

Monika Caro, who has lived next door to the man since he moved there, gained entry and was met by an overpowering stench and the wreckage of a life failed by the social care and housing system.

“This should not be allowed to happen,” she said. “It is just awful. It is so bad I would say it amounts to elder abuse. This home was totally uninhabitable. Even if he refused to let people in you would think someone would come and check on him. He is a very intelligent man but had always been a loner and he used to say to me ‘no one speaks to me – nobody talks to me’. I would say, ‘you know I’m always here for you’. ”

The pensioner has been moved into a hotel in Finsbury Park and is now expected to return to the flat with a proper care plan.

He is recovering from a broken leg and bruised back after being hit by a car outside his home.

Ms Caro is a member of the Camden Association of Street Properties (Casp), which campaigns for rights of council tenants who do not live on estates.

Petra Dando, Casp’s chairwoman, said: “I stood there in complete shock. It was like something out of a horror film. It shows that if you don’t have an appro­priate care package in place you can have absolute mayhem.”

She added: “There is always the potential for this sort of thing to happen in one of our street properties. It’s why the association has been campaigning for stringent safeguards to be in place, as well as trying to make sure that basic housing services to our members are as tailored and responsive as pos­sible. We’ve organised many deputations to Camden Council, but our concerns need to be acted on without delay.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Camden Council is aware of the concerns of neighbours for the tenant’s welfare. Housing officers and adult social care services have made several attempts to engage with the tenant in the past, however the tenant refused to engage or allow entry to their property. In extreme circumstances the council can take enforcement action, but in this case we decided it was not appropriate or in the tenant’s best interests.  

“The tenant is currently in temporary accommodation provided by the council. Their property has been thoroughly cleaned and is being renovated by the council, and the work is being carried out as quickly as possible. The tenant is now engaged with adult social care and is being supported by them.”