'Within a couple of hours of cleaning, I realised I had been bitten alive'

TENANT HITS OUT AT COUNCIL OVER FLEA INFESTATION

- By HARRISON GALLIVEN Local democracy reporter

A CROYDON council tenant says she has been forced to buy a hazmat suit after a flea infestation took over the downstairs communal area of her Renown Close flat.

Despite residents being bitten numerous times on the West Croydon estate, they have been told to avoid the entire area until at least early next week.

While insecticide was eventually applied last week, residents say the outbreak reflects broader issues with poor housing conditions on their Croydon estate.

"That is the dirt they have got us living in," one resident said.

Concerns first arose two weeks ago when the resident at 34 Renown Close noticed a cluster of bites on her arm. The resident, who asked not to be named, spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) about her experience.

"We have had issues for years around the communal space," she said.

"The caretaker never cleans like he should, so I said let me mop the communal area floor. Within a couple of hours, I realised I had been bitten alive."

The bites continued until she decided to avoid the downstairs area altogether.

"I tested my theory by staying away for two days and got no bites, when I went back down I got bit."

Both the resident at 34 and her neighbour, who shares the communal area, believe the infestation is the result of poor hygiene across the Handcroft Road Estate, where they have lived for years. They pointed to an incident where a neighbour left a flea-infested mattress outside their flat, where it was left sitting.