Wobbling balconies, cupboards people cannot reach and a lack of cold water are among problems faced by people in a new block of flats.

Residents of Bullfinch House, on the West Hendon Estate, say they are now at their “wits end” – but feel their complaints have not been listened to.

The social housing tenants were moved into the new flats at the end of May from nearby Marriotts Close, as part of a regeneration project which will see blocks torn down and rebuilt.

Cynthia Diamond, who has cancer and has had a heart attack, says she has “not stopped crying” since moving in.

The 72-year-old said: “The kitchen is tiny. I have nowhere to prepare my food or put my hot plates when they come out of the oven, so I have to use my ironing board.

“The cupboards are also so high up that you need to be 7ft or so to reach, it’s not been built for shorter people like me in mind.

“The balcony isn’t sturdy, it trembles and shakes and I am terrified to go on it, it’s not at all safe. It’s a joke – I just don’t know how anyone is meant to live like this. I am deteriorating here.

“The front door is too heavy for me to open and I can’t reach the handles for the windows.

“We were promised the moon, the earth and the stars, but this is hell.”

Below: Mrs Diamond says she has to use her ironing board as a worktop

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When people were moved in, they were left without hot water for four days – but now they say the water is tepid and never gets cold.

They say there is a glitch in the garage doors, which mean they sometimes open and close by themselves.

The ceiling in the lift came apart but even though it has been pushed back in, it still hangs loose.

Sandra Newman’s son, Ben, ten, who has autism, was too afraid to use the lift as he was convinced it would come crashing down.

Miss Newman, who has fibromyalgia and is registered disabled, has also asked for shower and toilet rails to be installed in her bathroom, but this has not happened.

The grandmother said: “I had a rail in the old place but they won’t give me one in the new place. I am too afraid to use the bathroom when nobody is home now.

“This whole thing is just a farce. We just want it sorted.”

In a statement, Barratts said: "The new homes at Bullfinch House and Gadwall House have been developed in accordance with a range of design standards including the London Housing Design Guidelines, the Lifetime Homes standards and meet statutory Building Regulations.  

"In some cases aids and adaptations have been made to residents’ homes to meet their specific needs following assessment by an occupational therapist.

"Whilst Barratt Metropolitan LLP (BMLLP) has taken every effort to build the new homes in Bullfinch House and Gadwall House to the highest standards, if residents encounter issues with their new homes, they should report them to us.

"BMLLP has a clear process in place to manage such issues and will take corrective action where required.

"To further support tenants settling into their new homes, a resident liaison officer is currently based on the estate at Bullfinch House and Gadwall House.  Problems relating to utilities should be reported to the relevant supplier.”