Lewisham Homes has commissioned an investigation after an ITV documentary revealed the squalid state of one resident’s flat which was judged "unfit for human habitation".

Mehdi Sheikh, who suffers from chronic back and leg pain, was forced to live among damp, walls blackened by mould and even faecal contamination, after a leak in November that went unfixed left his home uninhabitable.

The social housing provider, which manages and maintains 19,000 homes on behalf of Lewisham Council, has since apologised and moved Mr Sheikh into temporary hotel accommodation.

Margaret Dodwell, Chief Executive at Lewisham Homes, said: “We deeply regret the position our tenant was in and have apologised unreservedly for our failings in this case.

News Shopper: Mehdi struggles to breathe in his own home (ITV) Mehdi struggles to breathe in his own home (ITV)

“He is now in temporary hotel accommodation, awaiting a new home.

“Although we did attempt a number of repairs, it took us too long to understand how complicated the situation was.

“We should have moved the resident out of this property much sooner than we did.

“I am very sorry that any resident had to experience living in such poor conditions, and I am taking immediate action to ensure we do everything we can to meet our responsibilities to our tenants – particularly those who are vulnerable or have particular needs.

“I have commissioned a full investigation, the outcome of which we will share with the council and act upon.”

An independent investigation by Lewisham Council judged the flat "unfit for human habitation".

Mehdi used a respirator to help him breathe among the moist air around him.

The film showed his hand come away covered in a thick, black substance when wiped down the wall.

An environmental inspector found a 100 per cent chance of electrocution in parts of the property.

News Shopper: The property has been uninhabitable since a leak in November (ITV)The property has been uninhabitable since a leak in November (ITV)

The bathroom extractor fan had been fitted incorrectly, causing it to blow air into the flat instead of extracting damp air out.

A bacterial analysis of water leaking down the walls found “significant faecal contamination.”

Mr Sheikh, who has lived in the property for 17 years, described Lewisham Homes’ response as “simply pathetic.”

He told ITV: "It just feels like living in a slum. And I just simply don't know what to do. [I feel] totally helpless.

"I don't feel like even going in there because it stinks. I don't feel comfortable.

"It doesn't feel like a home."

Lewisham Homes says it has since introduced measures to strengthen processes, backed by council funding.

Margaret Dodwell said: “This includes a new escalation process and senior management review group for priority moves and poor condition properties; raising staff awareness of the need to report and escalate concerns about residents’ living conditions; increasing resources to manage disrepair and accelerating our programme of proactive ‘property MOTs’ of all our properties we know to be at risk of damp, and other high risk properties.

“The council has committed significant additional funding to support us to roll this work out.”

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