A tenant claims he had a stress-induced heart attack after years of living in a South West London apartment block plagued by alleged anti-social behaviour.

'Martin', whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said residents of the block in the Richmond borough live in fear due to the issues, which he claimed include people dealing and taking drugs, defecating in communal areas and threatening residents.

Long-term tenant Martin told MyLondon residents have reported anti-social behaviour in the block to Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP), which manages it, since 2003. They have sent years' worth of diaries recording alleged anti-social behaviour to RHP and reported incidents to the Met Police, he said.

But he claimed RHP failed to clamp down on the alleged anti-social behaviour and act on residents' complaints quickly, despite tenants allegedly breaching the terms of their lease.

The housing association only installed CCTV earlier this year. "If only they could have installed it years ago when we asked for it, we could have been spared years of the anti-social behaviour which has blighted our lives," he said.

Martin was hospitalised in June with a heart attack, which he linked to long-term stress caused by the alleged issues. "My health has just been cut out from under me," he said. "When your heart isn't working properly, you've got nothing."

Sarah Thomas, chief executive of RHP, said she was sorry some residents feel unsafe in the block and that it has not acted quickly to respond to their complaints.

She told the LDRS the housing association is working to improve residents' perception of its management of anti-social behaviour through early triaging, intervention and stronger case management.

Ms Thomas said RHP is helping the police, who raided two properties in the block and found no drugs or paraphernalia. She added: "Following police advice, we installed CCTV on every floor and around the parking area.

"At the same time the door entry system was improved and now links to our door management system, allowing us to see and control who enters and leaves the building 24 hours a day. Additionally, we fitted new locks to service cupboards to prevent unauthorised access."

Martin claimed residents have complained about alleged drug activity in and around the block since 2015. He alleged people often enter it bypassing the door entry system, take drugs inside and treat it as a 'toilet', with residents finding poo in communal areas.

He claimed they have been threatened and intimidated by people wanting to get inside.

Noise disturbance has also plagued residents' lives and left them unable to sleep, he said, with frequent shouting, door slamming, fighting and music so loud it has caused the building to vibrate.

Martin's entries in his anti-social behaviour diary so far this year, submitted to RHP, include claims he has seen people dealing drugs outside the block, found poo in the bin store and been threatened.

He repeatedly reported being woken up at 4am by loud banging, slamming and shouting, including by people demanding entry into the block. He described how residents feel scared and intimidated in their own homes, which has left them feeling physically and mentally unwell.

He told the LDRS: "It's been the primary factor in ruining my mental health, giving me an advanced case of PTSD which I can't be treated for because it's still going on." He added: "I've never been offered any help with it… they've never offered to move me."

Martin explained he began to suffer with presyncope earlier this year, when a person almost loses consciousness.

"When that happens you start to feel faint, your heart starts wobbling around in your chest… if you don't sit down or lie down you end up completely poleaxed and it happened to me crossing the road and it's to do with going outside," he said.

"When I leave the house sometimes I only get 50 feet and I have to hold onto something and I'm thinking, right, the time has come for me. I don't want to have to leave, it will cost me every penny I've got to furnish a new flat."

But Martin said his health can't cope with any more stress, as he was hospitalised with a heart attack after several episodes of presyncope. "If I think about it too much, I feel dreadfully ill," he added.

"I have to get away. I don't want to give up, it's a real source of shame to have to admit it, but I am going to have to ask to be moved and preferably with another housing provider."

He added: "I honestly think if somebody doesn't help us, one of us is going to end up dead and it might be me."

Ms Thomas said: "I'm sorry some residents of [the block] feel 'unsafe, scared and intimidated' and that we have not acted 'responsibly' or quickly in our response to their complaints about anti-social behaviour (ASB). As a socially responsible landlord, RHP is committed to providing safe and secure homes for all our residents.

"In delivering our new three-year corporate strategy 2024-27, we're working with local councillors, partners and residents to improve our customer perception of our ASB management through early triaging, intervention and stronger case management.

"Over the past 12 months, we've received complaints from three separate residents [in the block] relating to serious allegations of illegal drug activity.

"In response, all new tenants now undergo an increased and robust vetting process prior to moving in and this has resulted in zero ASB complaints being made against these new lets. We continue to fully cooperate and support the police with their investigations into any illegal drug activity and I can confirm following a raid of two properties in June, no drugs or paraphernalia were found.

"I feel reassured and hope our residents do too that increased patrols by the police safer neighbourhoods team, particularly at night and over the weekends, are having a positive impact. Our housing advisors also visit the block at least fortnightly and meet with concerned residents in their homes.

She added: "One vulnerable resident has also been offered options to move and we're continuing to work with them on this. Finally, I'd like to stress how seriously we take all complaints and particularly those relating to ASB and where the impact is such that a resident feels unsafe. This is not acceptable, and we will always listen and act swiftly to ensure a resolution."

A Met Police spokesperson confirmed officers executed multiple warrants at the block.

They said: "The team will continue to work closely in partnership with the council and local housing providers to ensure a proactive approach to prevent further issues being experienced by the community."