Key Points
- A West London mother of two, who wished to be identified only as Eve, expressed shock and disbelief after visiting her Shepherd’s Bush home at Newall Court and finding it completely unprepared for her family’s return.
- The family had been decanted from their property for eight months to allow for major repair works to be carried out.
- Upon inspecting the flat, Eve discovered unfinished flooring, electrical sockets hanging dangerously out of walls, and construction debris left scattered on display.
- Eve received an email from the housing management organization, L&Q, on July 29, instructing her that she could move back in and that her stored belongings would be delivered over the subsequent two days.
- In response to the findings, Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programmes at L&Q, issued a formal apology acknowledging that the work took longer than planned, while confirming that remaining repairs would be finalized before the family’s scheduled move-in date.
London (The Londoner News) August 3, 2026 — Unfinished flooring, electrical sockets hanging loosely out of walls, and construction materials left openly on display greeted a West London mother when she returned to inspect her Shepherd’s Bush flat, only to discover that promised maintenance works were nowhere near complete.
The mother of two had decided to check in on her property at Newall Court after receiving formal notification that she and her family could finally move back in, roughly eight months after they were initially decanted to enable necessary building repairs. Instead of a finished and safe living environment, the visit revealed a site still heavily affected by active construction.
Why Were Eve and Her Family Decanted From Their Home?
As reported by Ben Lynch of MyLondon, the family’s displacement began nearly a year ago following chronic maintenance issues within the building. Elaborating on the ordeal, Eve stated that “we’ve spent almost a year without our home, we’ve had to move multiple times, we’ve lived with uncertainty every single day, and all I’ve ever wanted is for my children to come home to a property that has been repaired properly”. She further emphasized to the journalist that
“I don’t think that’s too much to ask”.
During the lengthy displacement, the family was initially moved to temporary accommodation in Ladbroke Grove and subsequently shifted across multiple temporary locations, currently finding themselves residing in an Airbnb in Shepherd’s Bush. The prolonged instability has taken a severe toll on the household, particularly given the medical vulnerabilities of her children. Eve noted that her daughter suffers from severe asthma and life-threatening allergies, while her son is also categorized as a vulnerable child.
What Did Eve Discover During Her Inspection of the Flat?
According to details covered by Ben Lynch of MyLondon, the alarming state of the property became apparent immediately after Eve logged into an email sent by L&Q on July 29. The communication stated that her family could return to the flat and that their stored personal belongings were scheduled to be delivered over the following 48 hours.
However, upon conducting her own physical inspection of the premises, Eve found that the reality inside the flat sharply contrasted with the assurances provided by management. Confronted with hazardous conditions, including exposed electrical wiring and debris, she immediately flagged her concerns in writing.
Explore More West London News
Yo-Chi Opens First UK Frozen Yoghurt Store in Notting Hill, 2026
Forest Bikes Launch in Ealing: 2026
How Did Eve Respond to the Housing Management in Writing?
As documented by MyLondon reporter Ben Lynch, Eve addressed a formal email to L&Q management pointing out that it was “plainly evident” the property was neither finished nor safe for human habitation.
Detailing her frustration regarding the rushed timeline, Eve wrote in an email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS):
“Even if contractors intend to continue working this evening or tomorrow, it is unreasonable to expect my family to return on Friday immediately after rushed construction and decoration works”.
She added:
“My daughter should not be expected to return to a property containing fresh paint fumes, dust and the effects of last-minute building works”.
To prevent any premature relocation, Eve formally requested an official on-site meeting with L&Q representatives prior to agreeing to any firm move-in date, insisting that every outstanding defect must be thoroughly rectified first.
What Wider Structural and Safety Concerns Have Been Raised?
The troubles at Newall Court extend beyond the condition of Eve’s specific flat. As highlighted in previous reports by Ben Lynch of MyLondon, tenants have historically suffered from severe building management failures, including chronic lift outages.
Recalling a terrifying past incident to the LDRS, Eve described how a residential lift dropped two floors while she was inside it, leaving her convinced that she was “going to die”. Addressing the ongoing legacy of these elevator failures, Eve stated:
“My daughter has asthma. It’s a lot of stress for her going up stairs when the lifts are broken down but she’s forced to do it because she’s terrified of going in those lifts and something happens”.
Reflecting on the exhausting nature of her dealings with housing authorities, Eve told MyLondon:
“For almost a year, I’ve felt like I’ve had to become the project manager for my own home. Instead of simply being able to trust the process, I’ve had to chase updates, question decisions, ask whether the work was being carried out in line with Awaab’s Law and push for proper investigations every step of the way because my children’s health is far too important for me to simply take reassurance at face value”.
How Has L&Q Responded to the Backlash?
In response to the mounting criticisms and media inquiries, housing management has offered an unreserved apology. Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programmes at L&Q, spoke directly on the matter.
As quoted by Ben Lynch of MyLondon, Mr Newstead stated: “We’re very sorry for the problems Eve has experienced with her home, and recognise it has taken too long to put things right. The work required was more extensive than we originally expected and has taken longer than planned”.
Addressing the immediate next steps and safety checks demanded by the family, Mr Newstead added: “The remaining repairs will be finished before Eve moves back in this Friday. We’ll meet her there beforehand to make sure she’s happy with the work and that everything is ready for her family’s return”.
