Residents of a housing block say they are facing a “major problem” of antisocial behaviour from unauthorised access to their building.

Up to 20 people from Essence Apartments in Harrow and Wealdstone have reported a “series of serious incidents” since the security gate to their building was intentionally broken in 2016.

The gate to the apartments, managed by housing association Origin Housing, leads to an alleyway through the property connecting Wealdstone high street to George Grange Way.

The security gate at Essence damaged in 2016

Harrow Times:

Neighbours reported a high number of the public using the alleyway; rubbish room doors “permanently” broken enabling drug use and used needles to be left behind causing a dangerous environment, as well as groups meeting to drink and soil the space and even prostitution; an increase in “vulgar” graffiti, and residents post and bicycles stolen from “secure” spaces.

There were also reports of strangers climbing onto resident’s balconies banging on windows and kicking at doors, and people urinating in the alleyway and squirting ketchup into post boxes.

An Essence resident and spokesperson, Lina Hannan, 33, said they were also “distressed” by incidents of women being followed into the alleyway to the main door – all a result, they claim, of Origin Housing’s inaction to repair the gate, and, despite contacting the Housing Ombudsmen Service to complain.

The alley connects Wealdstone high street to George Grange Way

Harrow Times:

The Housing Ombudsmen Service said that while they cannot comment on individual cases they had received a complaint concerned a broken lift and gate at Essence Apartments.

Lina, said: “We feel neglected, disrespected, unsafe, unsupported, frustrated and powerless as tax payers of whom the housing association is funded by the government.

“Origin Housing has just increased our service charge which we feel insulted by for their complete lack of service and have offered us no official apology and no compensation.”

She said the major problems have affected “community welfare” and they feel “deeply neglected” by Origin Housing even though they have never stopped paying their monthly service charge of £127.54 per flat.

The security gate to Essence apartments requires key fob access

Harrow Times:

Lina added: “Our Origin neighbourhood area manager is trying her best but even she is unable to make Origin Housing take any action. It has been appalling, we are working people.”

A spokesperson for Origin Housing, said: “We understand the frustration that our residents at Essence apartments have with the gates not working and the antisocial behaviour...We apologise that this has taken a long time to get right, it is a priority for us and we hope to have a permanent safe replacement in place as soon as possible.”

Many of the residents used the Help to Buy or shared ownership scheme from the government to acquire their homes.