Residents ashamed of fly-tipping near their homes

Residents at a block of flats in west London say they are "too embarrassed" to have guests visit because of issues including fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, rodents, and even people defecating outside their homes.

Susan and Elaine, who live at Felix Court in Yiewsley, said the problems had worsened in recent years.

Susan, who has lived there for 12 years, described the area as "rat city", with Elaine adding: "It's like a slum, it is a slum. I try not to have visitors, it's embarrassing."

Housing association Home Group, which manages the block, has apologised for delays due to "problems in recruiting a new housing manager" and said it had now carried out a full inspection.

Susan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We pay the rent and the service charge, but it continues to go up.

"We can't even open our windows on a hot day because of the flies. I'm worried about rats scaling the walls."

The frequent dumping of rubbish and fly-tipping has led to a growing acceptance of the mess, according to Susan.

"I think people are more comfortable dumping now, they don't care about the people who live here," she said. "What's most alarming is that Home Group doesn't care."

She claimed complaints to the housing association have fallen on deaf ears, and that reports to Hillingdon Council have also largely gone unanswered.

Elaine said she had witnessed drug use in the bin store, as well as people urinating and defecating outside the block.

"Sometimes when I sit at the bus stop I cringe and think, 'God… I live there'.

"We are like prisoners in our own homes because we don't feel safe out here. I don't come out here at night anymore."

Home Group has said it is looking into issues with CCTV and is considering installing more coverage in the communal entry area.

A spokesperson for Hillingdon Council said: "Felix Court and the surrounding land are privately owned and, as such, responsibility for the management and upkeep of the site rests with the freeholder."

The council added that it instructed the landowner to clear waste in April 2025, which was done, and said intends to carry out a further inspection following the more recent concerns.

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