A disabled mum has successfully sued her council landlord after spending years in a mouldy, asbestos-ridden flat which devastated her health.

Vulnerable Harrow resident Samantha Sankar had to live with ongoing leaks, cracks along the walls and ceiling, asbestos, mould, and limited hot water over four years which worsened an already serious heart condition.

The 57 year-old, who was forced to leave work due to her illness, moved into her London flat in 2018 via a house swap.

Almost on arrival, she was faced with severe flooding caused by a leak from the property’s boiler.

Between 2018 and 2020, the water tank leaked about 10 times, and Samantha had to endure four years without consistent heating or hot water.

At one point she had to resort to washing herself at her kitchen sink using water she had boiled from the kettle, an act she described as, “utterly degrading.”

Of the initial flooding, she said: “We salvaged what we could from the boxes, which mostly contained mementoes from my children that I can never replace.”

Over the course of her life Samantha has lost three of her children; her daughter died at only nine years old from the same heart condition which she herself was later diagnosed with.

She suffers from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, as well as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, both of which are life-threatening.

She had to undergo heart surgery in 2021 and was advised by her cardiologist to avoid high-stress situations and a respiratory team also visit her at her home every three to six months.

Her home was also plagued with asbestos from 2018 to 2024, which worsened her existing health issues.

Samantha was plagued with colds and chest infections from 2018 to 2022, and at one point was picking up four chest infections per year.

She said that when she contacted the council, its repairs line informed her that it was her responsibility to remove the mould in her property and as a result, her son, who is a painter and decorator, had to clean her walls and ceiling once a month.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Samantha said: “At one point my lung capacity was at 42%, I couldn’t eat or sleep properly, and I just kept getting sicker.”

“The whole issue put a massive strain on my relationships. I was having fights with my family, who thought the house was a death trap.

“One member turned around and told me, ‘This is going to kill you.’”

Despite raising the disrepair issues with both her landlord and Harrow Council, Samantha’s concerns went largely ignored.

She decided to contact Manchester-based Veritas Solicitors after the council denied that it had put the issues she raised on record despite her claiming that a housing officer visited the flat in 2018.

“I felt unheard, like I was imagining it all,” she said.

“I was starting to doubt myself.”

Since Veritas took the case in 2022, a new combination boiler has been installed in her property.

It has also been fitted with a new sink, and earlier this year Samantha was temporarily moved into alternative accommodation while the council cleared her flat of asbestos.

The firm also secured £3,000 in damages for Samantha in the case which was settled in July this year.

She stated: “Veritas have been amazing – I owe them everything.

“Throughout the proceedings they always kept me informed and up to date.

“Whenever I spoke with them, I had this overwhelming sense that someone was actually listening to me.”

Managing partner at Veritas Solicitors Faraz Fazal said: “We are pleased to have been able to secure a favourable outcome for our client, who simply should not have had to go through what she did.

“We believe that everyone deserves a safe and healthy living environment as a basic human right, and we will continue to stand side by side with tenants.”

Despite the improvements made to the property, Samantha continues to struggle with her health, and there are repairs to the property that are still outstanding.

Of her experience, she reflected, “It’s been a nightmare living here.

“I never expected to have to take on a local council regarding a home that should have been up to a good standard.

“Hopefully other people will look at what I’ve been through and find the inspiration to tackle similar issues themselves.”