A woman who lives on a housing estate which is “like something out of a horror show” has hit out at her landlord over “shocking” neglect.

Shawn Cohen, 68, has lived at Alpha House in South Kilburn, which is owned by Brent Council, for 20 years.

The tenant, who is a retired psychic medium, said part of her rent is meant to be used to fund maintenance on the estate, but that these works rarely take place.

Shawn Cohen has compared the estate to Fawlty TowersShawn Cohen has compared the estate to Fawlty Towers (Image: Shawn Cohen)

Comparing the estate to Fawlty Towers, she said: “They don’t come to mow the lawn and they don’t come to fix things unless you really scream your effing head off.

“I am not going to allow them to treat their renters like crap. Many people get mice – it’s not healthy.

“It’s like they’re stealing the money from renters. Every single person whether they like it or not is paying for these services and we’re not getting it.”

Shawn, who suffers from psoriatic arthritis, said that the state of her balcony, which is overgrown with weeds, means she cannot sit in the sun.

She explained: “For me, to sit in the sun because of the psoriasis on my hands is essential.

“The last time they came was eight months ago, so the weeds, the grass, the muck and the mire are all just piling up. It’s like going into a parallel universe, it’s crazy.”

Overgrown vegetation was among the concerns raised by ShawnOvergrown vegetation was among the concerns raised by Shawn (Image: Shawn Cohen)

Shawn also raised concerns that last November, scaffolding was put up on the estate, yet no work appears to have been carried out.

Beyond being an eyesore, she claimed that part of the scaffolding fell down earlier this year.

Shawn added: “One of my neighbours said if she had been walking underneath it at the time, she would have had steel falling right on her head. It’s dangerous and it shouldn’t be up."

Shawn believes that scaffolding on the estate should come downShawn believes that scaffolding on the estate should come down (Image: Shawn Cohen)

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council and cabinet member for housing, has now apologised to people living at Alpha House, and acknowledged that they had been “let down by disrepair and maintenance management”.

He said: “Essential work was carried out by a ground maintenance team on the estate this week.

“We will be visiting the area imminently to look at the issues raised and ensure that they are being managed. I am willing to meet with residents to hear and address their concerns directly.”

Cllr Butt also urged people experiencing problems resolving issues should raise a formal complaint.

He added: “These are welcomed by the services and allow us to ensure that we are monitoring issues and driving improvements that tenants want.

“It also gives tenants and leaseholders assurance that their concerns will be tracked and resolved, and recourse to next steps and reviews if they are not.”