A HOUSING association has apologised after failing to repair a water damaged ceiling for nearly two months.

Natasha Pearce was left without a bathroom light and ceiling after a leak from an upstairs flat caused significant damage back in August.

Ms Pearce says she has had numerous contractors come out to look at the problem, but repairs have been held up due to concerns over asbestos and the extent of the damage.

Ms Pearce, who lives off Laurence Avenue in Witham, said: “It’s been a real nightmare.

“There has been so many mixed messages coming from different people.

“I went seven weeks without having a bathroom light, which isn’t very easy at this time of year when it gets darker earlier.

“That’s finally fixed now but there’s still a huge hole in the ceiling and lots of black mould everywhere.”

Ms Pearce has been speaking with Eastlight Community Homes about the issue and says it is the housing association’s responsibility to repair the damage as it manages the upstairs property where the leak came from.

Several layers of the bathroom ceiling have now been stripped back and Ms Pearce has even been warned the room is unsafe because of the scale of damage.

But after a two-month battle to get the room repaired, she admits she has become desperate to see action and says she is disappointed with the response from Eastlight.

She added: “I have spoken with so many people and I am getting no where. I had a company come out which advised me to take the ceiling down.

“There was a job booked in the following week for the ceiling to be boarded, but the job couldn’t be done.

“I am disgusted with how Eastlight have dealt with issues that are out of my control and not my fault.

“I really do not know what else to do or who else to turn to, to finally get something done.

“But they cannot continue to brush things under the carpet like this.”

A spokesman for Eastlight Community Homes told the Times the ceiling was due to be completely repaired next week.

He said: “We regret that Ms Pearce has experienced a delay in this work being completed and that our communication did not meet our standards.

“The leak has now been fixed and we will complete the work needed by October 14.

“We have apologised to Ms Pearce.”