An “isolated” pensioner has finally won compensation after a seven-month battle with the council’s housing manager.

Alfred Lockyer, 80, has been sleeping in the living room of his home in Aldridge Way, Chingford, after his two bedrooms were badly damaged by a flood caused by a blocked pipe in March.

Water leaked through the bedroom ceiling for six days, also damaging the landing, the stairwell and the hallway.

After several visits by plumbers and electricians working for Ascham Homes, the blocked stack pipe was cleared, but Mr Lockyer’s home was not repaired and remained damp and virtually uninhabitable.

Then followed months of frustration as phone calls and letter were left unanswered.

He wrote to Ascham Homes chief executive, Madeleine Forster, Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith and ward councillors, but only received a reply from Cllr Paul Braham.

However, after being contacted by the Guardian, Ascham Homes has now agreed to pay for the necessary work.

Mr Lockyer said: “As long as Ascham Homes keeps to its word, and has accepted responsibility for all the damage, that all should be well.

“I am very grateful to the Guardian for following up my claim, as I have felt completely isolated this past six months.

“Before today, I had no-one to turn to, not even my local ward councillors, my MP, or local ombudsman.

A spokesman for Ascham Homes said: “We believe that we have acted appropriately with regard to Mr Lockyer and our insurers have agreed to settle his claim.

“Although Mr Lockyer had his own insurance, Ascham Homes offered to instead to go through our insurer.

“They (Zurich Municipal) have now confirmed that they settling in full with a cash payment of £3,000.

“On top the insurance settlement, we are visiting Mr Lockyer to redecorate the two small bedrooms as previously agreed as a goodwill gesture.”