Bryan Gaspa

A MAN who has been asking the council to fix leaks and water damage in his flat for more than 15 years is now taking them to court.

Bryan Gaspa has lived in a basement flat in Claremont Square since he was born, and has been complaining to the council, which is the freeholder and responsible for repairs, about leaks, water damage, and structural problems since 2008.

The damage was so severe that the ceiling caved in in 2018.

Mr Gaspa is now suing the council for their failure to carry out the repairs, despite 10 separate surveys in the past 15 years detailing the damage.

The most recent survey details the state of disrepair over more than 12 pages, and concludes that “the full scope of works have either not been completed, or have been completed poorly”.

It continues: “I would agree that the property is in disrepair externally and internally, that hazards are present, and that the property is not fit for human habitation in its current conditio.”

A recent survey has said the proposed works, which have either not been completed or “completed poorly”, mean that Mr Gaspa’s house is “not fit for human habitation in its current condition”.

Mr Gaspa said fighting to get his flat repaired to a liveable state has been “traumatic”.

Mr Gaspa’s kitchen ceiling

“You get used to it,” said Mr Gaspa. “You get used to the unfit for human habitation, you feel like a caged animal.”

He added that the experience has made him lose trust in the council and the way it operates.

Mr Gaspa said: “I’ve become disillusioned, I don’t trust people, especially those in the local authority… [They] seem to show contempt for the people they are supposed to be serving.”

Mr Gaspa added that he has now had to spend “many thousands” on a solicitor whilst he tries to sue the council for failing to carry out the repairs, and therefore breaking the terms of the lease.

“It’s been well over 15 years of trauma,” Mr Gaspa said. “It makes me think the Housing Ombudsman’s recent special report is very accurate. My case is at least 50 times worse than any they quote and the council should be ashamed of themselves. I feel disenfranchised, neglected, not valued, as if I don’t exist.”

The report Mr Gaspa was referring to is the special investigation into Islington Council released by the Housing Ombudsman in October. The report found that maladministration had left many council tenants waiting for months for basic repairs, and the council were ordered to pay a fine of more than £60,000.

Cllr Una O’Halloran, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, said: “We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Islington has a safe, decent, and genuinely affordable place to call home.

“We understand that Mr Gaspa has filed a legal disrepair claim, which is still under review. To ensure the integrity of the legal process, we are unable to provide detailed comment at this time.

“We are in regular and direct communication with Mr Gaspa and are committed to working together to resolve his case.”