A housing association has apologised to a family forced to live in temporary accommodation for a year due to a burst pipe.

The Murtagh family has been living in hotels for four months after the leak at their flat in Edinburgh Court, South Woodford, which was built as part of the Queen Mary’s Gate development.

David Richardson, regional director of property services for Circle 33, said: “We are working as quickly as possible to get these issues resolved and are sorry for inconvenience caused.

“We have moved the family into a four bedroom home which meets their needs, while we identify the cause of the problem and carry out urgent repair work. We are supporting them through this, and updating them regularly on the repairs.”

Maria Murtagh, 51, claims hot water was left leaking for three weeks despite contacting Circle 33 everyday.

This is said to have led to widespread mould, which she blames for an asthma attack which hospitalised her 15-year-old daughter, Elisa.

The family have been temporarily rehoused in Chigwell, but has been told the repairs are likely to take up to 12 months.

Residents of the block recently raised concerns about various structural problems and Circle 33 appeared to blame developer Telford Homes, which built the block five years ago.

Telford Homes then criticised the housing association for failing to maintain the block.

Circle 33 has promised to carry out a review of the building.