A dismayed tenant claims a housing association has left him living without electricity for almost six days.

Actor Shawn Lindsell, of Norfolk Gardens, Borehamwood, says he found an inch of water in his hallway when he came home to his flat, managed by Affinity Sutton, late on Wednesday night.

After tracing the source of the leak to the upstairs bathroom, he realised the water had flooded his electric meter.

He said: “It was crazy, there was water everywhere. I mopped it up, but it was quite scary when I saw some had spilled into the electricity meter.”

The 38-year-old immediately phoned EDF Energy as a precaution and was advised that the power supply needed to be switched off until Affinity Sutton could carry out a safety check.

He says he phoned the housing association on Thursday morning and was promised that a representative would be sent to his property the next day, but no-one turned up.

Mr Lindsell, who lives alone, said: “It’s ridiculous. I took time off work to wait for them and was left feeling very messed around.”

He says he was left “fuming and dismayed” when the housing association told him that while a lack of power is considered an emergency, carrying out a safety check is not.

Still without hot water and heating, Mr Lindsell eventually decided to leave his flat and move in with his parents.

He also claims that around £100 worth of food in his freezer was spoiled, something he believes could have been avoided had the company answered his complaint immediately.

Mr Lindsell also claims that a representative from Affinity Sutton visited him on Saturday, but did not leave any documents to prove it was safe enough for EDF energy to switch the electric back on.

He said: "It was just one thing after another with them, and I was pretty furious to say the least.

“After spending all day on the phone to Affinity Sutton yesterday, taking more time off work, I managed to track down the documents and my power should be back on today.

“I’m really pleased I’m getting this sorted, but it should have been done so much sooner.

"Leaving someone without electricity for six days is really unacceptable.”

The Borehamwood Times is awaiting comment from Affinity Sutton.