A Lewisham dad has described his shock at the “dirty” conditions he has been forced to endure in emergency accommodation with his eight-year-old son.

John Constable, 43, sought temporary housing from Lewisham Council after having to leave the family home – but he was shocked at the state of the house he was put into while he waited to be rehoused by the council.

Mr Constable, who had lived in Thailand for nine years before moving back to the UK with his son, was moved into the shared house on Limes Grove two weeks ago.

He and his son were sharing a room in the house, which he estimates 12 other families are living in.

“It was very dirty and dated. It hadn’t been looked after for at least five years,” Mr Constable told News Shopper.

“It is quite squashed and it seems overcrowded. The space just isn’t utilised correctly.”

News Shopper:

Mr Constable described the conditions as "dirty"

Despite the cramped conditions, Mr Constable was asked to pay £165 each week for the room, after housing benefit was deducted.

“I’ve not paid anything for it because I refused. Overall it’s £315 a week to be paid by the council and the tenant,” he explained.

Mr Constable took photos of the shared house which show stained ceiling tiles and carpets, dirty kitchen equipment and broken cupboards.

“Most nights I would bring food home from my parents’ house because one of the cookers doesn’t work and one of them is really slow.

News Shopper:

He claimed people had to queue to use one working cooker

“People have to queue and wait to use one cooker.”

The father and son are now being moved into permanent accommodation, but Mr Constable has called on council staff to review living conditions in all temporary housing offered to tenants.

“It’s diabolical that someone’s allowed to collect that amount of money but not do anything to the house,” he said.

A spokesman for Lewisham Council confirmed the shared house will be reviewed following Mr Constable's complaint.

He said: “Ensuring that families in emergency accommodation are given housing is a key priority for the council. That’s why we’re committed to delivering many more social homes across Lewisham.

"We are grateful that this issue has been brought to our attention, officers will inspect the property and ensure improvement works are undertaken so that the accommodation meets the standards expected.

"We are about to consult on a borough wide landlord licensing scheme that will improve living standards for our residents.”