A man who lived in a housing block for vulnerable youths has claimed it should come with a “health and safety” warning due to mould and broken heating.

Harry Russell lived in the supported accommodation block in Harold Wood, which Romford Recorder is not naming for privacy reasons, for three years.

He claims that during his stay there were repeated issues with mouldy floors in the bathrooms, broken heating and sparking electrics.

The block houses young people aged 16 to 25 who need extra support, including care leavers placed by Havering Council.

The building is owned by landlord Look Ahead and managed by youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.

Harry left the accommodation two weeks ago after “aging out”, but said he was concerned for his friends who remain living there.

He claimed that each year he lived in the block, the boiler would break down at Christmas with months sometimes passing before problems were resolved.

Harry also alleged that issues such as mouldy floors and sparking electrics were not taken seriously enough, with some complaints left unresolved for long periods.

He added: “Centrepoint say they help youth homelessness but [the block] should come with a health and safety warning.

“I think the council should visit to see how we are made to live. I might have left, but there are people still living in those conditions.”

Centrepoint's director of services, Ed Tytherleigh, has said that the charity uses “industry-grade disinfectant” to remove damp spots from the block’s wet rooms.

He also claimed that records show that where concerns are raised, they are addressed in a “timely manner”.

“It is disappointing to hear the experience of this former resident,” he added.

“In recent years, we have spent millions of pounds maintaining and upgrading our properties, with much of this development informed by the regular feedback we receive from young people, including in their weekly meetings within services.”

A spokesperson for Look Ahead said the provider was aware of previous heating issues related to the gas heat pump in some flats.

They added that repairs were always carried out within a day of issues being reported, and that new heat bumps were installed in the block last month.

The spokesperson said: “We are sorry that the tenant is disappointed at the length of time it took to find a long-term solution to this issue, but we are confident that all repairs timescales have been adhered to and communicated.”

A Havering Council spokesperson said: “Havering Council works to ensure that supported housing is safe and suitable for all residents who have a specific need for housing.

“All providers who manage housing facilities have a duty of care to maintain the quality of accommodation and resident safety.

“The concerns raised will be fully investigated by officers to maintain safety and hygiene standards.”