Skip to content

'Nightmare' flats overrun by fungus and mould

BBC Two images. The left is thick mould growing on the ceiling of a property and the right image shows three yellow funghi growing from a wallBBC
Thick mould growing on the ceiling of a flat in Hamilton Court while fungus grows on a wall

Residents at a block of flats in Kent say their lives have become "a nightmare" as unfinished roof work is allowing rainwater to stream into the building.

In May, contractors fitted pre-fabricated flats to the top of Hamilton Court in Tunbridge Wells, but the sub-contractor for the project later went into administration and was liquidated in September.

Duncan Cooke, director of Castlemere Developments said the company had recently made the roof "totally watertight" and was doing all it could to get the project finished.

It says it has spent £11,000 to get work done on the roof and is now in a position to fully undertake repairs to those residents whose homes had been affected by leaks.

"We can also assure all the residents that all of the costs are being met by Castlemere Developments," Mr Cooke added.

Water damage to a communal ceiling in the black damage also done to a nearby green front door
Water damage in a communal area has affected a ceiling and a nearby front door

Antonio Bach, who lives with his family in the building in Chilston Road, said: "Water is pouring from several places in our flat and the whole building is suffering from damages."

One of his children has a health condition which means it is dangerous for them to be around mould.

"We have been promised things will get done, but they never did. I feel like it's not going to happen anytime soon," said Mr Bach.

"We need a miracle."

Two images. Left showing a building wrapped in scaffolding, the right a path next to the building with yellow barriers lying on the ground.
The building is still wrapped in scaffolding, 10 months after work began

Dean Kenward who is a landlord and rents out three flats in the block said he had lost all hope of getting answers from the developer.

"We go around in circles, we just don't get anywhere," he said.

Mr Kenward added: "When we had the big storms, we had rivers of water running down the walls into light fittings. The carpets were soaked and when it dried out we were getting mould."

Mr Cooke said Castlemere Developments was unable to provide an exact date for the completion of the project.

He said: "We are doing everything to complete this and will keep the residents updated, as we always have throughout."

All the residents have been invited to an online meeting on Thursday to hear about the programme of works.

A man in a green coat wearing glasses, with short black hair. He is stood in front of a building wrapped in scaffolding
Dean Kenward owns three flats in the building and wants answers for his tenants

Mr Cooke said the contactors had faced difficulties accessing the roof due to scaffolding issues but this was resolved at the beginning of January.

He said Castlemere Developments was enhancing security, renovating communal areas, and introducing fire cells to increase fire safety.

He said: "We can reassure residents that we are doing our utmost to complete this project and that once complete, Hamilton Court will be far safer and more secure."

Hamilton Court's freeholder Elmbirch Properties, and the property's management company, Remus, have been contacted for comment.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story