Kelly Butler, 38, who was moved into a Chiswick Travelodge by her housing association Notting Hill Genesis, says a man tried to grab and kiss her twice in the temporary accommodation. Ms Butler, who has waived her right to anonymity, was placed in the hotel to allow repairs to her Ravenscourt Park flat, which had suffered months of leaks, damp and mould.
Assault in temporary accommodation
Ms Butler told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that a stranger, also a Notting Hill Genesis tenant housed at the Travelodge, attempted to grab and kiss her while she stood outside. "He basically walked past me, he grabbed my hand and was like trying to pull me in and was like, 'can I kiss you?', and I was like 'woah, what are you doing?'," she said. The same man repeated the behaviour the next morning in the breakfast area. The incident was reported to the Met Police, and Travelodge removed the individual from the hotel.
Misrepresented temporary housing
Ms Butler, her partner Ashley Dudman, 42, and their daughter were then moved to a flat in Hounslow on June 30, which Notting Hill Genesis had described in an email as a ground-floor property. However, upon arrival, the family found it was on the second floor, posing problems for Mr Dudman, who has health conditions including scleroderma and a lung capacity of just 50%. Ms Butler said the surrounding area felt unsafe, and they left immediately. "We contacted the emergency team in the early hours...who arranged for us to be checked into another hotel. This is now our third location in 24 hours," she said. The family is currently staying in another Travelodge in Acton.
Lack of progress on repairs
At the heart of the family's frustrations is the slow progress on repairs to their permanent home. Ms Butler claims essential work has yet to start, and on one occasion only painting was being done. "Why is it I've got to wait when they should be doing the work now?" she said. The family's daughter was rushed to A&E in May with respiratory issues, possibly linked to the home's condition. An Occupational Therapist report also deemed the flat unsuitable for Mr Dudman, leading to the decant.
Responses from Notting Hill Genesis and Travelodge
A Notting Hill Genesis spokesperson said: "Repair work on the heating system [was] due to begin Tuesday [July 7], and once that is complete, wider work can begin on improved ventilation and window repairs. ... We had been incorrectly advised that the alternative was on the ground floor, and we apologise to Ms Butler for this administrative error." The association is covering the family's alternative accommodation and reasonable expenses. A Travelodge spokesperson added: "The safety and security of our guests and colleagues is our absolute priority... Following an allegation brought to our attention, we investigated and removed the individual from the hotel."
