A couple say leaks and mould in their council home have made their lives “a living hell”.

Neil Reed and his wife Rosario live in Hill Close, Barnet, in a house managed by Barnet Homes, with their nine-year-old daughter.

After moving into the property in April 2023, they claim they have had to deal with four major leaks, two of which caused sections of their kitchen and living room ceilings to fall in.

This has caused mould, a problem exacerbated by “ill-fitting” windows that steam up in cold weather, they claim.

Two sections of the house's ceiling have collapsed, the couple saidTwo sections of the house's ceiling have collapsed, the couple said (Image: Supplied)

Neil, who is 66 and has a pacemaker, told Times Series he feared for his health living in the house, having already suffered a heart attack last year.

He has accused Barnet Homes, the housing arm of Barnet Council, of negligence and ignoring his complaints, and has instructed solicitors to bring a legal claim against his landlord.

Neil has previously lived in two other council properties. While living in his first flat in Balfour Grove, he claims he was the victim of anti-social behaviour and disrepair.

His family was moved to a home in Mays Lane in 2019, but Neil said this property also suffered from “structural disrepair”.

The 66-year-old said: “We’ve not had a proper, decent home where we felt safe and secure for 16 years living under Barnet Homes. It’s just neglect and it’s disgusting really.

“My wife came to this country from the Phillipines in 2010 for a better life and since then our landlords have just made our lives a living hell.”

'Ill-fitting' windows creates a problem with condensation, Neil said'Ill-fitting' windows creates a problem with condensation, Neil said (Image: Supplied)

Neil has called for urgent repairs to his home and for compensation for the council's alleged inaction.

He added: “The hospital has said I should not be getting stressed, but how can I not get stressed when our landlords are acting the way they are? They’re being totally disrespectful.”

A Barnet Homes spokesperson said: “We apologise unreservedly for the issues Mr Reed and his family have previously experienced and have financially compensated Mr Reed for this.

 “The current issues being reported can’t be commented on any further due to ongoing legal proceedings.”