A vulnerable pensioner says she has been left living in a “constant state of terror” after months of alleged threats, harassment and violence from neighbours, despite repeated pleas to be rehoused.
asserted
she → say → pleas
The woman, who the Local Democracy Reporting Service is identifying as Ms A to protect her identity, says she fears for her safety and no longer feels able to live normally in her Southall flat.
asserted
she → identify → flat
The pensioner, who lives alone and is recovering from a stroke, says she has repeatedly asked Hounslow Council to move her from the property, where she claims neighbours have forced entry, demanded money, stolen medication and smashed her windows.
uncertain
neighbours → live → windows
Ms A, who suffers from severe mobility problems, osteoporosis, chronic pain, PTSD and anxiety, says the situation has become so distressing that she has cancelled hospital appointments and feels unable to leave her home safely.
asserted
she → suffer → home
“I am living on tenterhooks,” she said.
asserted
she → live → tenterhooks
“I can't have my grandchildren or family visit because it isn't safe.
asserted
it → have → ?
I can't use my mobility scooter outside because I fear being rushed or attacked.
asserted
I → use → scooter
I have to leave my home at 7am before they wake up.”
asserted
they → have → am
Ms A was placed in the property by Hounslow Council after receiving a no-fault eviction notice in 2024.
asserted
A → place → 2024
She was initially housed in temporary hotel accommodation before being moved into the one-bedroom flat.
asserted
She → house → flat
Although the Local Government Ombudsman ruled that she should be rehoused in a two-bedroom property closer to her support network, she remains several bus journeys from family members.
asserted
she → rule → members
She says the problems began almost immediately after she moved in.
asserted
she → say → ?
“During my very first week here, the woman living in the flat upstairs knocked on my door claiming she was locked out and needed to use my phone,” Ms A said.
asserted
A → live → phone
“Once inside, she demanded money for food.
asserted
she → demand → food
I offered her food, but she insisted on cash.
asserted
she → offer → cash
She then saw my prescription medication and demanded tablets.
asserted
She → see → tablets
“I eventually gave her two tablets and £10 just to get her out of my flat.”
asserted
I → give → flat
According to Ms A, the situation escalated over the following weeks.
uncertain
situation → accord → weeks
“She and her friends started constantly harassing me, knocking on my door and banging on my windows at all hours demanding money,” she said.
asserted
she → harass → money
“She shouts racial abuse at me.
asserted
She → shout → me
My daytime carers were terrified of her.”
asserted
carers → terrify → her
Read More
Ms A says she reported the incidents to Sapphire Housing, her landlord, within weeks of moving in and was advised to contact police.
asserted
she → read → police
She alleges parcels were stolen from outside her flat and objects thrown at her windows, incidents she says were captured on video.
asserted
she → allege → video
She also claims one neighbour repeatedly attempted to force his way into her home.
uncertain
neighbour → claim → home
Police have attended the building on numerous occasions, according to Ms A, and she says there are dozens of active crime reference numbers linked to incidents she has reported.
uncertain
she → attend → incidents
Despite this, she says the council has refused requests for an emergency transfer.
asserted
council → say → transfer
“They refuse to do anything,” she said.
asserted
she → refuse → anything
“The council sent me a letter stating I am ‘okay’ simply because Sapphire Housing and the police are aware of the situation.
asserted
Housing → send → situation
“When I told my social worker, she claimed it was outside her jurisdiction because it was a police matter.
asserted
it → tell → jurisdiction
Sapphire Housing told me I have to deal with the council.”
asserted
I → tell → council
She added: “The stress has worsened my mobility, caused memory problems and left me trapped inside my flat in a constant state of terror.”
asserted
stress → add → terror
Hounslow Council said it had investigated Ms A's homelessness application, which was based on allegations of anti-social behaviour, but concluded that Sapphire Housing was taking appropriate action.
asserted
Housing → say → action
A council spokesperson said: “This investigation confirmed that Sapphire Housing, as her landlord, are taking necessary steps, and a ‘not homeless’ decision has been issued.
asserted
decision → say → steps
At this stage, Sapphire Housing are responsible for investigating the issues raised and taking the appropriate action.”
asserted
Housing → investigate → action
Sapphire Housing said it had not ignored Ms A's concerns and had begun legal proceedings against the neighbours accused of anti-social behaviour.
asserted
it → say → behaviour
A spokesperson said: “We recognise the seriousness of the concerns raised and have taken formal action by commencing legal proceedings.
“
asserted
We → say → proceedings
The purpose of this action is to address the anti-social behaviour that has affected Ms A and other residents.
asserted
that → address → A
We are currently awaiting a court hearing date.”
asserted
We → await → date
The housing association added that it continued to work with Hounslow Council to explore rehousing options, but said its limited housing stock meant there was currently no suitable property available in Ms A's preferred areas.
asserted
stock → add → areas
“We are sorry for the distress and anxiety that Ms A has experienced and acknowledge that she continues to feel unsafe,” the spokesperson said.
asserted
spokesperson → experience → that
…and 3 more, not listed.
The Aporia
