Tenants in a house divided into ten bedsits say an infestation of cockroaches has left them living in “inhumane conditions”.

The one-bedroom bedsits in Hoe Street, Walthamstow cost nearly £800 a month but Daniella Delmonte, 38, said she would rather be back living on the streets after waking up with bugs in her bed.

The qualified psychotherapist was recommended the property by a charity after she left the YMCA in Forest Road three weeks ago and is receiving housing benefit as she looks for work.

She said: “I can’t live here, it makes me really anxious. It is not fair that people are living in these inhumane conditions.

“I am a 38-year-old woman and I am going to have to sleep in the park tonight.”

The Guardian visited the property and found infestations throughout the building including in tenants food cupboards and kitchen equipment.

Ms Delmonte continued: “It is ludicrous how much the government are paying to have these conditions. This whole building should be condemned.

“There is a massive homeless problem in Waltham Forest. Everywhere may be fit-to-burst but it is a human right to live somewhere habitable.

“When I complained to the council they said there was nothing they could do even though they are paying for this.”

Alan Smith, 60, who suffers from breathing difficulties, said the infestation has existed since he moved into the property in February.

“I have squashed ten at a time and left them on the wall for the landlord to see, but they haven’t been round”, he said.

“Me and my friends play roach tennis with our electric fly swat but it does get frightening.

“There are thousands of them throughout the whole property. It needs to be completely fumigated.

“I would love to move out but I have nowhere else to go."

Gloria Mboma is worried for her 55-year-old mother Sila who had to be taken to hospital last month when she was bitten in her sleep by an insect.

She said: “The worst time is at night, they come out from the toilet and go all over the walls.

“When she was bitten she had to stay in hospital for a few days, her face had completely swollen up.

“She gets really depressed about it all and has complained but nothing ever gets done.”

A Waltham Forest council spokeswoman said: “The tenants can contact the council to arrange an appointment for the pest control service to come out to assess and treat the situation as required.

“The council is committed to improving standards in the private rented sector and landlords are expected to keep their rented homes in decent repair and to deal with pest problems through licensing conditions.”

Landlord Bercleys Management have been approached for comment.