Luxury Apartments in Croydon: Residents Fear Cholera Outbreak
Residents living in a ‘luxury’ Croydon apartment block have expressed concerns about their safety and health due to issues with black mould, leaks, and other structural problems. The residents of The Fold in Croydon have reported ongoing issues with their living conditions, with some even fearing a potential cholera outbreak due to the severity of the problems they are facing.
Tom Willoughby, a resident of The Fold, shared his experience of dealing with black mould in his apartment. He noticed the mould in a cupboard in July, almost a year after moving into the flat. Despite attempts to clean the mould, it continued to grow in different places, including around the ventilation unit. This led to concerns about the safety of his living space, especially when combined with faulty electrics in the flat.
As the mould continued to spread, Tom and his partner were eventually moved to a different home within the apartment block. However, Tom noted that the mould had now spread to every wall in his old apartment, with some areas covered in solid black mould. The situation became so severe that Tom described the smell as repulsive and expressed his feelings of being unsafe in his own home.
Another resident of The Fold shared similar experiences of dealing with mould and leaks in their apartment. They first noticed issues in the reception and communal areas of the building, which escalated to leaks in their own apartment in July. The resident had to place buckets to collect water from various sources, including the shower head, ventilation unit, and light. The leaking water caused a foul smell, leading to concerns about potential health risks, such as cholera.
In addition to the mould and leaks, residents at The Fold have reported persistent issues with hot water not working for extended periods. One resident mentioned that their young daughter had diarrhoea over the Easter weekend when the hot water stopped working, further exacerbating the already challenging living conditions. The lack of basic amenities like hot water during celebratory times like Easter left residents feeling frustrated and inconvenienced.
Videos shared online by residents show the extent of the issues at The Fold, with some showcasing collapsed ceilings and other severe structural problems. A WhatsApp group has been created to allow residents to communicate and petition the management group for action to address these issues.
Legal and General, the company managing the building, acknowledged the build quality issues at The Fold and expressed concern for the well-being of the residents. They have taken steps to address the problems, including providing alternative accommodations within the building for affected residents. Additionally, they are working with developers, insurers, and contractors to resolve the root cause of the issues and ensure long-term solutions are implemented.
Despite the challenges faced by residents at The Fold, Legal and General is committed to ensuring that residents are offered clean, comfortable, and secure living environments while the issues are being addressed. They are actively engaging with residents to discuss compensation and long-term solutions to prevent similar problems in the future.
In conclusion, the residents of The Fold in Croydon are facing significant challenges with their living conditions, including black mould, leaks, and other structural issues. The management company is working to address these problems and provide support to affected residents, but more needs to be done to ensure that residents can live safely and comfortably in their homes.
