A PENSIONER has been brushing his teeth and shaving over the kitchen sink for 22 years while he waited for the council to fix his flat.
Sam Taylor, in his 70s, has also been living with walls which are turning black and peeling while his bath is covered in rust.
He has waited months for Westminster city council to repair the walls, ceilings and kitchen cupboards following a leak last year.
And he gave up hope of fixing a pipe under the bathroom sink, which broke 22 years ago, after the council ignored his cries for help.
Sam added: “I never used it but it would be nice if I could. I got used to just washing and shaving in the kitchen.”
Flies also came to his property in Soho and the ceilings and walls bubbled after the leak in September.
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He described it at the time as like “a small river coming down” that could last for an hour.
The leak was fixed in November, around two months after it was first noticed, but the walls and ceilings still need to be repaired from water damage.
His kitchen cupboards, bath and bathroom sink also need fixing. Sam, who has lived in the property since 1991, told MyLondon: “It’s been going on for months.
“They have been coming every two or three weeks, taking a photo and going away. They don’t know what they’re doing.”
Westminster CIty Council’s housing chief Debbie Jackson said: “I understand Mr Taylor’s frustrations about the length of time it has taken to carry out further repairs to his home.
“The decorative works will be completed next week and works to replace his existing kitchen and bathroom will begin in April.
“We will continue to work with Mr Taylor to ensure his property is in the best possible condition.”
