A grandfather moved out of a condemned house by Waltham Forest Council now claims the authority is trying to evict him from the temporary accommodation it has put him up in.

Housing benefit recipient Edmond Allen shared a mould-infested house in Vicarage Road, Leyton, with nine others, but said rats and cockroaches were uninvited guests and that he feared for his safety due to exposed electrical wiring.

The council originally ordered the landlord to rehouse the tenants by Thursday, April 25.

But Mr Allen looked set to spend another three months there after the authority extended the landlord’s deadline.

After the Guardian highlighted his plea the council’s housing management body, Ascham Homes, moved the 61-year-old to Lea Bridge East, temporary accommodation in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, until the landlord had fixed the property.

But after a visit to his case worker yesterday Mr Allen said he has been given until Tuesday to move out.

He said: “It’s awful. I don’t understand, I’ve only been there two weeks. They told me that until he has done the work I can live here.

“But the landlord has said he won’t let me come back either. I have nowhere to go and I don’t know what to do. I could be made homeless.”

Mr Allen claims he was told that his health problems, which include depression, were not severe enough to entitle him to stay in Lea Bridge East.

The Guardian has been unable to contact his landlord, but understands the house is still occupied by up to nine other tenants, including young children, though some have said they are content to remain there.

The council has been approached for comment.