A pensioner living alone in Hounslow says the council is leaving her at risk from neighbours she claims are constantly threatening violence and harassing her. The woman, referred to as Ms A to protect her identity, has repeatedly contacted Hounslow Council requesting support and asking to be relocated due to the threat she feels from her neighbours. She has several open lines of enquiry with the police, who she says regularly attend the building to deal with her neighbours.
These incidents have allegedly included forced entry, demands for money, theft of her medication, and smashed windows. Despite placing her in the property, Hounslow Council has said it is not their responsibility to move her, even with Ms A saying she fears for her life. The woman lives with severe mobility impairments, osteoporosis, chronic pain, and is in recovery from a stroke. She receives support from a care worker three times a day, lives with PTSD and anxiety, and considers herself extremely vulnerable.
Background and Failed Rehousing
In 2024, Ms A was issued a no-fault eviction notice, and Hounslow Council placed her in a hotel before moving her into a one-bedroom flat in Southall. The Local Government Ombudsman ruled that she must be rehoused in a two-bedroom flat nearer to her support network, however she remains three buses away from her family, who she says know nothing about the ordeal she is going through.
Despite placing her in the property, Hounslow Council has refused emergency transfer requests despite dozens of active crime reference numbers, and shifted responsibility onto her housing association, Sapphire Housing, who she claims have taken inadequate action. However, Sapphire Housing says it has launched legal proceedings against the neighbours in question.
Alleged Incidents and Harassment
Ms A has now lived in the property for over a year, and says it is having a detrimental impact on her mental and physical health. Recounting the initial stages of the alleged abuse to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ms A said: “During my very first week here, the woman living in the flat upstairs knocked on my door claiming she was locked out and needed to use my phone.
“Once inside, she demanded money for food, I offered her food, but she insisted on cash. She then saw my prescription medication… and demanded tablets, I eventually gave her two tablets and £10 just to get her out of my flat.
“It spiralled continuously; she and her friends started constantly harassing me - knocking on my door and banging on my windows at all hours demanding money. She shouts racial abuse at me. My daytime carers were terrified of her.”
Ms A says less than a month after moving in she reported everything to the housing manager at Sapphire Housing who advised her to contact the police. In this time, parcels were allegedly being stolen from her doorstep and she says objects were being hurled at her windows - something she caught on video.
Shortly after, she claims one of the neighbours became increasingly threatening. Ms A said: “Then her partner started knocking on my door trying to force his way inside.
“One day he knocked, claiming there was a bird in my garden and demanding I let him in. When I refused, he went down the road and violently attacked another woman in her home.”
Impact on Health and Daily Life
Ms A says her “nightmare neighbours” even went as far as to smash her living room windows. Ms A said: “They [the council and housing association] refuse to do anything. The council sent me a letter stating I am 'okay' simply because Sapphire Housing and the police are aware of the situation. When I told my social worker, she claimed it was outside her jurisdiction because it was a police matter. Sapphire Housing told me I have to deal with the council.”
She added: “It is horrific, I am living on tenterhooks. I can't have my grandchildren or family visit because it isn't safe. I can't use my mobility scooter outside because I fear being rushed or attacked. I have to leave my home at 7am before they wake up.”
Ms A says that these fears for her safety have forced her to cancel urgent hospital appointments “because the neighbour was outside banging on my window and screaming threats”. She says the stress has worsened her mobility, caused memory problems, and “left me trapped inside my flat in state of constant terror”.
Responses from Housing Association and Council
A spokesperson for Sapphire Housing told the LDRS: “Sapphire is not ignoring the risks reported by Ms A. We recognise the seriousness of the concerns raised and have taken formal action by commencing legal proceedings.
“The purpose of this action is to address the anti-social behaviour that has affected Ms A and other residents. We are currently awaiting a court hearing date.
“While the legal process is outside our direct control, we remain in regular contact with Ms A and other residents to provide reassurance and updates. We also rely on the police to investigate any allegations of criminal conduct and take appropriate action where criminal offences may have occurred.”
A Hounslow Council spokesperson said: “The council launched an investigation following Ms A’s application for housing assistance as homeless on grounds of anti-social behaviour. This investigation confirmed that Sapphire Housing, as her landlord, are taking necessary steps, and a ‘not homeless’ decision has been issued. At this stage, Sapphire Housing are responsible for investigating the issues raised and taking the appropriate action.”
The spokesperson for Sapphire Housing added: “Ms A has requested a move away from both the property and the area. As a small housing association, Sapphire has a limited stock of homes and currently does not have a suitable vacant property available in her preferred locations.
“Our Housing Officer has been working with the London Borough of Hounslow to explore alternative rehousing options in light of the circumstances.
“The council advised that Ms A would need to submit a new housing application and that it would not be able to make a direct offer of alternative accommodation. We were also advised that this process was likely to take longer than the legal action currently being pursued by Sapphire.
“We are sorry for the distress and anxiety that Ms A has experienced and acknowledge that she continues to feel unsafe at the scheme. We remain in discussion with the London Borough of Hounslow regarding potential rehousing options and continue to explore every opportunity available to us including Ms A reconsidering the areas in which she would consider being rehoused, as this may increase the options that could be available within our new housing developments in Hounslow.”
