Errol Baptiste, a 60-year-old tenant with a lung condition, has expressed frustration over his living conditions in a rented bungalow in Northolt, where he faces ongoing issues with mould and rat infestations.

Baptiste has been living in this property since November 2020, after being placed there by Ealing Council due to previous accommodation concerns.

He alleges that the conditions in the property have exacerbated his health problems, stating he feels as if he is living in 'Victorian slum' conditions.

The walls of the bungalow have reportedly become damp, with peeling wallpaper and mould spores present throughout the home.

Baptiste claims that he has had to spend approximately £400 on hotel accommodations because the current living situation poses a risk to his health.

Despite a ruling by the Housing Ombudsman that favored Baptiste, stating that Ealing Council had committed severe maladministration by failing to address his complaints, no action has been taken to remediate the issues.

Baptiste has lived in the Ealing borough for 36 years.

Prior to his current living situation, he spent 23 years in a small room of only 3.88 square meters, a condition that was deemed illegal when the council eventually inspected the premises.

His current bungalow has been the subject of complaints beginning a year after his move in, yet he asserts that the council has failed to respond effectively to his numerous inquiries.

Mould is reportedly prevalent in various areas of the bungalow, including the bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

The property also suffers from a rat infestation, attributed to unaddressed structural vulnerabilities within the home.

A report from the Housing Ombudsman highlighted five instances of maladministration related to Ealing Council's handling of Baptiste's complaints.

The Ombudsman found that the council did not appropriately consider Baptiste's disabilities, including his lung condition, which inhibited their ability to provide him with temporary accommodation during the ongoing health risks.

In January, the Housing Ombudsman directed Ealing Council to issue an apology to Baptiste, pay compensation, and review internal practices.

However, as of the latest updates, no concrete measures have been implemented to alleviate the mould and dampness issues in Baptiste's home.

Ealing Council has issued a public apology acknowledging the delays in addressing Baptiste's complaints and has stated they are in contact with him to arrange necessary repairs.

The council has emphasized its commitment to supporting residents, particularly in light of their mental and physical health needs.

In a separate development, the admissions process for secondary schools in London has revealed that thousands of children have not secured a place at their first-choice schools for the upcoming academic year.

Of the 87,512 applications received, approximately 62,677 were offered placements at their preferred institutions, leaving 24,835 students without their top choice.

The overall success rate for receiving a first-choice school increased slightly from 70.5% to 71.6% compared to the previous year.

Despite an increase in applications driven by speculation surrounding changes in private school fee policies, three central London boroughs—Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and the City of London—experienced significant declines in admission rates to first-choice schools.

The admissions scheme is designed to assess eligibility and demand, acknowledging that while many children received offers from their top three preferences, a minority were referred to alternative schools.

Local councils have indicated they are able to meet overall demand for secondary school placements, maintaining a positive outlook for educational standards across the capital.