Caroline Stanton has undergone treatment for cancer since last year

A COUNCIL tenant with cancer has accused the Town Hall of incompetence after being decanted into a hotel room when her flat was flooded.

Caroline Stanton and her co-tenant Sheila Mathieson, who live in Rosebery Avenue with their two dogs, were placed into temporary accommodation in a Travelodge when their ground floor flat was drenched during a heatwave storm on June 23 June.

A blocked-up drain outside caused water to pour out through their shower, destroying carpets and flooring, and some of their furniture too.

She told the Tribune that almost a month later, they are still in the hotel room with their dogs as the flat remains uninhabitable – and with no timetable for a return home.

Despite “daily” visits from council contractors, the deep cleaning and floor replacement work is still outstanding.

Ms Stanton was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a year ago, and after having surgery continues to have chemotherapy, take maintenance medication, and use a mobility scooter.

She told the Tribune: “We just want them to come over and finish fixing the floor and make our flat safe to live in again: this whole process has made me exhausted and I’m feeling iller and iller every day.

“I feel like I’m at breaking point. I’m in so much pain, feel sick and I can barely walk. It feels like  the council’s incompetence is punishing me for being unwell.”

In May, the Tribune reported that Islington Council had been found to have “serious failings” in its responsibilities as a social landlord. A separate investigation by the housing ombudsman in 2023 found that Islington Council had a “disjointed” approach to dealing with disrepair and tenant complaints.

Ms Stanton’s flooded home in Rosebery Avenue

Ms Stanton added: “We are being given the complete runaround by the council and their contractors.

“They have been so rude – one of them told me to just “grin and bear it”– has no one even bothered to tell them that I am in and out of hospital?”

This week, the Town Hall announced £390 million of investment over the next five years for council home upgrades, including “essential” works to heating, kitchens and bathrooms.

A former nurse and teacher, Ms Stanton said “Because I’m unwell I need to be close to UCH as I have regular appointments in the hospital. I even had to get my consultant oncologist to write to the council so that I could be housed somewhere nearby.”.

Research from think-tank Trust For London showed that 17 per 1,000 households in Islington were in temporary accommodation in 2025, reflective of a wider housing crisis gripping London.

Town Hall figures also highlight that the council overspent on its total temporary accommodation budget by £5.69 million between 2024- 2025. Many of this spending is provided to hotels like Travelodge and Premier Inn to house those who are decanted.

Dan Newcombe, from housing union Acorn, said “Local authorities are working under difficult circumstances when it comes to housing and temporary accommodation, but this is as a result of political decisions, both nationally and locally.

“Years of privatisation and mismanagement have left us in this situation. Councils are spending loads of money rehousing people because they haven’t actually invested in their housing stock.”

Ms Stanton said she wanted a proper apology and compensation from the council once they were back in the flat.

Jason Jackson, Islington’s housing chief, said: “We are sorry for the distress and disruption Caroline and Sheila have experienced following the flooding at their home.

“We have apologised directly to them for the delays in completing the repairs.

“We recognise how difficult this situation has been, and we are pleased that she now has suitable temporary accommodation while the outstanding works are completed safely and to the required standard, so that they can return home as soon as possible.

“Senior officers from our housing service remain in regular contact with Caroline to keep her updated and to provide the support she needs throughout this process.”