TENANTS have spoken of their anger after the council was denied the millions of pounds it needs to bring their dilapidated homes up to scratch.

People living on the borough's housing estates face a huge delay in getting their crumbling bathrooms and kitchens replaced after Redbridge Homes was told it would NOT receive the funding it needs to begin the job next year - even if it passes an upcoming inspection.

The organisation - which manages the council's housing stock - had expected to be given £39 million by the Government if it achieved a minimum two-star rating from the Audit Commission next February - having failed to meet the standard in its previous assessment earlier this year.

But it has now been told it will not receive the initial £7 million chunk of the cash promised for 2009/10 as part of the Decent Homes programme, EVEN if it passes the next assessment - with no money guaranteed for 2010/11 either.

Redbridge Homes and its counterparts from three other boroughs, have applied for a judicial review of the Government's decision - but this has done little to cheer many tenants.

Mum-of-four Lucy Davies had her flat on the Ray Lodge Estate, Woodford Green, measured up for a new bathroom and kitchen last year.

She said: "My kitchen is in a terrible state. The units are all bowing from the moisture, and crumbling underneath.

"They promised me a new kitchen and bathroom last year but I haven't heard anything since they measured them up.

"The bath was so dirty that the previous tenant painted the bottom of it, and now that's all crumbling and coming off. It's horrible.

"I've been waiting ages already. Who knows when we'll get them done now."

These views were echoed by a grandmother-of-seven from the Orchard Estate - who did not want to be named.

She said: "I've got the hump about this because some of these flats are in a terrible state.

"I had to get my brother in to replace my kitchen because I couldn't wait any longer.

"No everyone can do that."

A spokesman for the DCLG said: "This Government remains totally committed to making all social homes decent.

"Since 2002, we have invested over £4billion in the ALMO Decent Homes programme, and this year we are allocating more than £900m. The ALMO funding has not been cut but has been deferred.

"In order to qualify for the decent homes funding Redbridge must first achieve a two star rating when independently inspected by the Audit Commission, something they have yet to achieve."