• PROPERTY developers should think about redesigning their properties which have back-to-back apartments, which have windows on only one side of the apartment.

I live in Lock House in Oval Road, Camden Town, which has this design and means in bathrooms, some kitchens, and the communal areas, hallways, stairs etc, there is no natural light or air.

There’s a ventilation system, of course, but when it doesn’t work and no one seems to be interested in repairing it, then it is a big problem.

Bathrooms become like saunas, doors have to be left open – not acceptable – and with the hot water pipes running above the ceilings in the hallways it makes it very uncomfortable in warmer weather, not just in a heatwave.

Lock House was built 14 years ago by Barratt, so it is a reasonably new build and there is no excuse for this situation but managing agents are not interested.

I wonder how the property got past the building inspectors in the first place. Whilst the system worked for a while it was always flawed.

I am aware there are a number of similar properties in Camden and would like to know if they all share the same problem. Living in airless, dark flats is not on the agenda.

MO LANE
Lock House, NW1