SQUATTERS could still be living in the roof of a Walthamstow block of flats despite repair work to secure it, a tenant claims.

Aydan Ulugun, 30, says she has been able to hear footsteps in the cavity above her flat in Stocksfield Road, Walthamstow for more than a year and that the problem is still going on even though access to the loft has been padlocked.

The flat, which is maintained by Ascham Homes, was visited by repairmen following Guardian enquiries and Miss Ulugun was promised a bent metal grate on the outside of the building would also be fixed.

She said: "Ascham Homes sent me a letter after I made a complaint and said they were going to complete everything on April 30 between 9am and 1pm but it's not been done."

She believes the grate was bent back to increase airflow and added that this was allowing pigeons access to the roof, whose droppings are attracting flies.

None of her neighbours have the same problem, she added, as the loft cavity is directly above her flat.

"Everything's still the same - the pigeons are still there, the flies are still there," Miss Ulugun said.

"I spoke to someone in complaints and she said the lady who's dealing with this would call back in 20 minutes - that was on Monday. I'm so sick of this."

She now thinks the squatters may have found another way to access the loft, perhaps through someone else's flat.

"It's just so annoying," she said.

"If they got a plan of the building, they could see which one's got the loft access and they'd have the culprits."

A previous inspection of the loft showed none of the usual evidence of squatting such as litter or personal effects.

An Ascham Homes spokeswoman said: “Further inspections have been made to the loft space, and have found that the only access hatch is weight balanced. Therefore it is not possible to gain access to the roof without the correct equipment.

“The outer ventilation grill is distorted, but does not allow any human access. A repair order has been raised to replace the grill, and this will be done as soon as possible.

“Ascham Homes will continue to monitor the situation and keep in contact with Ms Olugun to listen to any concerns she may have.”