Colchester mother wins High Court case against the council

The house provided to Nicola Lawson in Church Lane, Lexden, was so hazardous she broke her foot after tumbling down the stairs while her electricity remained unfixed.

Colchester Council says it is in contact with Ms Lawson, 41, following the court case.

The property was privately rented and Colchester Council's Private Sector Housing Team had stepped in to try and help resolve the issues. 

The mother exclusively told the Gazette there were electrical wires exposed in the “unbearable” property she lived in since 2019 alongside her then 15-year-old daughter who has learning difficulties.

Wet - mould inside the property

Ms Lawson, who has long-standing mental health issues, added she was effectively made homeless by the conditions and her mental state was worsened by her housing situation.

But in an email to her solicitor, seen by the Gazette, a Colchester Borough Homes manager denied this claim and added her mental health difficulties “will remain regardless of the accommodation she occupies”.

The mother then took the case to the High Court and won her case on March 7, it can be revealed, with a judge deeming her accommodation “inadequate” and ordering the council to secure her a suitable alternative.

Struggle - Nicola Lawson

Speaking to the Gazette, Ms Lawson said she cried when she heard the judge’s verdict “because it felt like no-one had ever listened before”.

She said: “I stopped taking my medication and my son stopped me from committing suicide because of the email from the council worker.

“My dad has passed away, my mum has passed away and my kids nearly lost their mum because of this.

State - a bathroom in the property

“There was no electricity, we had mould and it was damp and wet. The carpet was cold and I couldn’t sleep, plus the furniture was ruined.

“It made me feel worthless as a person. I was told I basically had to live with it or take them to court.”

A Colchester Council spokeswoman said since the judicial review decision Ms Lawson has been provided with interim accommodation "due to the condition of her privately rented home". 

She added: “A decision has been reached on Ms Lawson’s homelessness application, and Colchester Borough Homes Housing Options team are in contact with Ms Lawson to support her moving forward.”