My tiny flat is covered in mice poo…I have to share a bedroom with my two kids but council won’t move us for FIVE YEARS
A MUM-OF-TWO says her mouse-infested council flat is covered in poo but the council won’t move her for FIVE YEARS.
Ellie Riches, 35, shares a single “squashed and claustrophobic” room with 16-month-old Nathaniel and Kenzie, five, in her studio flat in Pimlico, London.
The mum watches TV in the bath after her kids go to sleep so she doesn’t disturb them in the tiny property – which is “riddled” with mice droppings.
Ellie first noticed the vermin when she returned from hospital after baby Nathanial was admitted with meningitis in 2021.
Since then, the mum has woken up before her kids every day to vaccuum up the droppings so the tots can’t get their hands on them.
Ellie told MyLondon: “It didn’t help that I was watching I’m a Celebrity at the time we had mice running around.
“I’ve got a mouse here that runs about all the time. Every morning I have to get up and hoover the floors so they don’t get hold of mice poop.”
The mum-of-two has been waiting for a bigger property since 2017 – but Westminster Council says she must wait another five years before becoming eligible.
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She needs to stay nearby to help care for her mum, who is seriously ill.
Ellie said: “No one seems to want to help, they just seem to think this is adequate.”
The small studio space means Ellie can’t play with Kenzie during Nathaniel’s naps – or help her with homework while the baby sleeps.
There are so far more than 4,000 families waiting for council homes in Westminster – where the average rent is £3,050.
Councillor David Harvey – the council’s cabinet member for housing – said: “Everyone in Westminster deserves to live in high-quality, comfortable homes and I understand Ms Riches’ frustrations with her current living situation and previous issues, which were quickly resolved, in her home.
“Despite Westminster’s 21,000 social homes and the similar number provided by housing charities, Westminster faces housing demand from many quarters as it is such a popular place to live and draws people who want to benefit from its quality of life, job and education opportunities.
“Thus there are more than 4,000 households on a waiting list for the council’s accommodation in Westminster – many London boroughs have extensive housing waiting lists, often larger than ours.”