Woman put down £78,000 on flat only to be told it will be demolished | UK News

A woman who put down £78,000 to buy a London council flat was told just weeks later that the entire block would be demolished.

Jamila Farah, 51, now wishes she had never forked out the money to purchase her flat of 20 years in Shires estate, Edmonton.

The gas supply had been cut to the building previously and rumours of demolition notices being distributed by the council had been spreading, but Ms Farah was still approached and given an offer to buy her flat.

It was later revealed that work on the 1960s building would cost £53million – with homeowners expected to make ‘significant contributions’ – so the decision to demolish was made.

She told MyLondon: ‘I’d still be in a normal council house, and then they would have to rehouse me. Now I’m a private tenant so they won’t offer anything and I can’t afford somewhere new.

‘It would be very hard for me to rent this house now. I’m aging, and I don’t know how much longer I can work to be able to pay the rent.’

Enfield Council plans to reimburse Ms Farah £230,000 – including an extra 10% for home loss compensation.

Outrage from the families currently living in Cheshire and Shropshire Houses prompted Enfield Council’s leader, Councillor Nesil Caliskah, to release a statement.

He said: ‘A full refurbishment of the blocks, just to maintain them to an acceptable standard, would have been expensive and disruptive, so we have listened to the community at The Shires Estate who do not want to go through several months of disruption. 

‘Decanting the blocks will also enable the Council to put its limited resources towards improving the rest of our council homes.

‘This is why we are recommending decommissioning the tower blocks, which will enable us to move residents out as soon as soon possible into decent and safe alternative accommodation. 

‘The safety and comfort of our residents is our priority, and this decision will ensure that residents are able to quickly access the decent housing they deserve.’ 

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