‘We’re trapped’: developer’s unpaid debt leaves London flat owners unable to sell

Hackney leaseholders feel council made the problem worse by leaving 850,000 debt uncollected for eight years

Leaseholders in east London have said they are trapped in unsellable homes" because of an 850,000 debt owed by the building's developer to Hackney council, who have let it go unpaid for eight years.

The 17 leaseholders, who live in a block of flats in Upper Clapton, have appealed to the council for help but their pleas, including requests for a meeting, have been ignored.