Council home ceiling falls twice in eight months

A south London mum who was injured after the ceiling in her council house collapsed for a second time in eight months says she is still waiting for repairs.

The ceiling at Venesha Rose's home in Gipsy Hill first gave way in January, narrowly missing her three-year-old daughter. They were moved into temporary accommodation and returned home in May.

However, the ceiling collapsed again in August, leaving Rose and her nephew needing hospital treatment. Rose said repairs carried out after the first time had failed to address the underlying cause.

Lambeth Council said a senior surveyor visited the property "immediately" after the latest collapse and the authority had been working to repair it since.

Rose said she had first complained about leaks at the property in 2024.

Just before the January incident, she claims a council worker visited and told her there was no leak. However, just a few hours after they had left, she says a bedroom ceiling and the one in her downstairs study both collapsed.

When she returned home in May, Rose said the council told her all but one repair had been completed.

However, she said she had repeatedly raised concerns after returning to the property.

"When we returned home, the electrics were all hanging [out], they still are," she said.

"The water was turned off and then as soon as they turned it back on, the property was still leaking."

She said she sent photos and videos of continuing problems to the council, but "no-one" visited.

The second collapse happened on 27 August when the study ceiling fell on Rose and her nephew.

Both were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. Rose said her nephew was struck in the leg by a piece of wood.

A GP note seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service said Rose suffered concussion-related headaches, lower back pain, bruising and neck pain as a result of the collapse.

Rose also said her daughter later fell down the stairs because the lights were not working, leaving parts of the property "pitch black".

She added: "Everyone I send pictures to of this house, they say, 'I can't believe you're in the UK and you're living like this'."

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said they were "shocked and saddened" to hear of the reported injuries, adding that the authority had not previously been made aware of them.

However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has seen emails in which Rose informed the council about the injuries following the collapse.

The spokesperson also said the authority was aware of the repairs needed and had contacted Rose "several times" about the work, including carrying out repairs at the property.

They said an appointment had been arranged with Rose and they looked "forward to resolving the last remaining issues".

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