A family who had been living in emergency accommodation after their ceiling collapsed moved back in only for the same to happen again.

Stacey Sell says she has reached her wit’s end after a new hole appeared not two weeks after returning to her property in Quarry Square, Maidstone.

In April, the 39-year-old was forced to move out of her rented accommodation with her partner Mark Thwaites and two children while Golding Homes repaired the damage and found the source of the leak.

It had initially been blamed on her pet cats but the housing company found the cause was a fault with the central heating and arranged the necessary repairs while they were put up in a Premier Inn.

The family were given the all clear to return last month, with a new ceiling and boiler installed – but the ceiling has given way again, the latest collapse happening on Thursday this week.

Stacey, who works for fast-food giant Wendy’s, said: “They fixed the ceiling and fitted a combi-boiler, trying to rule out the pipes, but there is still a leak.

“We were put back in the property but I’ve been thinking what has really been done?

“My ceiling fan is dangling and my kitchen lights, there are hanging wires where my fire alarms were and they have been removed.

“I have garden furniture in my front room because I refuse to bring my stuff back in. This issue has really affected us all.”

Stacey had an inspector round on Monday, July 3 to assess the damage.

She said: “It’s seems they’ve stopped blaming my cats now but when they came to look at it on Monday they asked me ‘are you sure it isn’t your son spilling water?’

“They saw him go upstairs but he couldn't have been up there for more than two minutes and he had nothing in his hands, let alone a glass or bottle of water.

“It feels as though they are trying to blame us.”

The company’s tenancy team visited the property on Monday, July 3, to discuss options and what support the family could be given.

On Tuesday, July 4, their fire alarms were reinstalled and the leak was fixed but when Stacey returned home from work that day she saw more holes in the ceiling.

The next day a new leak emerged in the corner of the front room creating another small hole – one that grew in size until the ceiling collapsed again on Thursday, July 6.

“I’m just hoping something gets done,” added Stacey. “I’ve had enough of it and am even asking Citizens Advice to see if there is anything they could help with.

“I am hoping to move and Golding Homes has advised me to sign up for the Home Choice register but I have to wait for somewhere to become available.”

Rachel McFarlane, Golding Homes’ executive director for customer experience, said: “The original cause of the leak at Quarry Road was found to be an issue with the central heating.

“We replaced all the central heating pipes, the boiler and two radiators, and replastered the downstairs ceiling.

“We’re concerned of the source of this new leak and are working with experts to investigate the cause.”

A plumber was once again called to fix the leak.