Families were left outraged when the roof of their brand new block of flats blew off “like a flimsy piece of plastic”.

Tenants in Skene Court, Stonegrove, Edgware, woke in horror as tornado-like winds sent the roof smashing to the ground during the October storm, causing rainwater to seep in through the ceilings.

Angela Gibson and Dominic Bean were temporarily moved into a hotel by housing association Family Mosaic as the mould this caused posed a health hazard to their daughters, Mia, 15 and Grace, four.

Ms Gibson, 42, said: “It’s been an absolute nightmare. The amount of stress it’s causing us is becoming unbearable. It took them over two weeks to move us into a hotel.

“The roof is like a petri dish and I am horrified by it all. I dread coming home now as everything here is so disgusting.”

It took two weeks for a temporary roof to be fitted on the property, built by Barratt Homes, causing more rain to flood through the ceiling - and damage will now take up to five months to repair.

The family was originally offered one hotel room between the four of them until the problem had been fixed - but they refused as they did not want to spend Christmas in such cramped conditions.

Next week, they will move to a flat in Edgware while works are carried out - but they will have to foot the cost of two sets of utility bills and claim the money back through their insurance.

The switchboard supervisor added: “None of this wouldn’t have happened if they’d fixed the problem when we first told them.

“I am disgusted with the treatment we’ve had from Family Mosaic. I can’t afford two lots of bills up front. It’s unacceptable.”

The couple have received “tremendous” help from Simon Bailey at Barnet Councils environmental department, and Joseph Thomas, a surveyor from Family Mosaic.

Their neighbours Peter Sullivan, 77, and Betty Glynn, 74, also have to move out due to the extensive damage to their property.

Ms Glynn said: “It was like a tornado ripping the roof off, it lifted it off like a sardine tin. It’s almost like it’s a flimsy piece of plastic. I am so angry about this.”

A statement from Barratt Homes said: “We are now working with the Family Mosaic, as a matter of urgency to understand the cause of this incident and take any necessary action.”

A statement from Family Mosaic said: "The affected blocks are currently unsafe to live in and the safety of our residents is our upmost priority so we have made every effort to find those affected appropriate accommodation in the meantime.

“Work will commence as soon as possible and the next stage is to erect a full scaffold to the buildings. The works are likely to take three to four months.”