A family in Kilburn have been by the council told they must relocate to a home 20 miles away after their flat was flooded.
Kerry Burke, 35, must move from the two-bedroom flat she shares with her husband and three sons aged two, seven and 10 on the Webheath Estate in Netherwood Street, to temporary accommodation in Hemel Hempstead.
Camden council have also said they will have to put their dog Scooby and cat Wiggles into kennels and their possessions into storage at their own expense while essential plumbing works are carried out.
In a further twist the council said there is no guarantee they will be able to return to their home of six years.
Mrs Burke said: “It’s horrible and very stressful. My two eldest sons attend the Rosary Primary School in Haverstock Hill, which means it would take me an hour to drive them to school.
“My entire property is waterlogged and the flooring is ruined. I’ve been complaining about the damp and leaks for two years.”
“No one from the council is giving me any answers and there’s no guarantee we’ll be coming back.”
Mrs Burke said there are two vacant flats doors away on the same estate, where her mother also lives, so she can’t understand why she has to move away from place she grew up in.
She said one of her sons, who has special needs, have been in tears about the prospect of moving away from their grandmother and her eldest son has been suffering from nightmares about the property flooding again.
“If there’s an empty flat across the road it just makes sense for me to walk my stuff there,” she said.
“My neighbours are devastated; it’s just so upsetting for us all. I was born on this estate, my mum’s lived here since she was 16.
“It’s ridiculous and really disruptive for my sons.”
A council spokesman said: “We have been working closely with Mrs Burke to resolve the repair issues at her home and recognise this has been a difficult time for her.”
“She currently has hot water, heating and electrics and we have provided dehumidifiers. At the moment we anticipate that she will be able to remain in her home whilst the work is done but we are keeping this under review and keeping Mrs Burke fully updated”.
The council has not yet confirmed a time frame or a location for the family’s move.
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