The council's Hidden Homes initiative has been praised by shadow chancellor George Osborne and the Rt Hon David Davis, but for one resident living on the Winstanley estate, hidden homes has proved problematic.

Severine Bonnet and her two daughters occupy what used to be a storage room on the ground floor of Pennethorne House on the estate.

It was transformed into a two bedroom flat with the Hidden Homes programme, but when Severine moved into the property she suffered a leaking ceiling, a problem which continues today.

Miss Bonnet said: "When I moved in, the ceiling in my living room was damp and the tiles were missing, then they came and fixed the problem.

"But about a month ago, the leaking came back and this time it came through the ceiling in my bedroom and in my daughters bedroom. It's a real nuisance and terribly uncomfortable for my girls."

A spokesman from Wands- worth Council said: "We are aware that there have been intermittent problems with leaks at this property, which we are actively addressing.

"Once this has been achieved we will also carry out any necessary redecorations to her flat."