Stephen Yeates, who has lived at Malcolm House on the Arden Estate for almost 25 years, claims he has been largely stranded in his flat since the start of December.
The Hackney Council tenant says he struggles to walk as a result of various health conditions, and is “terrified” of using the stairs in case he injures himself.
The 68-year-old told the Hackney Gazette that others in the block are also struggling as a result of the broken lift, including an elderly woman who had to be carried up the stairs by neighbours to her fourth floor flat.
“The big question is – how does it take so long to fix a lift?” he said.
“They expect me to walk up and down the stairs but I’m terrified. They’re concrete and have sharp edges.
“I’m having to use Uber Eats to get my food, which is so expensive, and I’ve also missed a cardiologist appointment.
“Not once have I had someone give me a call and ask me if I’m OK. We are being abandoned”
The issue with the lifts was one of many repair issues at Arden that are regularly neglected, Mr Yeates added.
Sarah McGreevy, who lived at Macbeth House on the estate, died last summer after falling from the balcony of her sixth-floor flat. She is believed to have been clearing a blocked drainpipe at the time.
At the inquest into her death, Sarah Bourke, assistant coroner for inner north London, warned a similar incident could occur if action is not taken by Hackney Council, although it has since said that it had no record of any issues with the balcony drainage.
“We’re getting work done that is sub-standard and dangerous,” Mr Yeates said. “When I contact Hackney, all I get is a load of gobbledegook and at the end of it not one thing is a solution.”
Some repairs on the estate are the responsibility of a tenant management organisation (TMO) set up by residents so they can manage their own homes.
But a ‘repairs matrix’ on the council’s website shows that Hackney is tasked with managing drainpipes and lifts, not the TMO.
After the council was contacted about the issues by Hackney Gazette, its strategic director of housing services, Steve Waddington, said repair work on the lift took place on Wednesday (January 8) as a replacement part had been delivered.
He added: “We regret the delays with the lift at Malcolm House and appreciate residents’ patience while we get the issue resolved.
“The lift contractor attended on December 9 but was initially delayed due to rubbish blocking access to the lift
“Once the area was cleared, a fault was identified with the lift, and while a temporary repair was made, the part needed was ordered.
“On December 12, the lift unfortunately failed again, and another part was needed which has further delayed us being able to repair the lift.”
