Concerns were raised for a woman found dead last week at an over-55s independent living scheme in Bromley "six weeks ago" by a neighbour, it is alleged.

Police were called to Fletchers Close on Friday, November 3, when staff were unable to reach the woman, named locally as Carol.

One neighbour said he had raised concerns about her wellbeing on several occasions over the past three years with housing provider Moat.

He raised his most recent concern around six weeks before her body was discovered, he alleged, when he noticed letters were accruing in her mailbox.

But Moat said a staff member had last spoken to the deceased on Monday, October 30, just four days before her body was found.

The neighbour, who asked not to be named, contacted the News Shopper because it was not the first time a body had been found at Fletchers Close.

In 2019, residents raised concerns with the News Shopper that a man may have laid dead in his home for weeks.

The neighbour said he had known Carol for around three years and had worried about her, as she suffered from evident mental health issues.

He had visited her home several times to help her when she had problems with her television.

“It was like a hoarder’s flat,” he said. “There was junk everywhere and she was a heavy smoker.

“I phoned up Moat and said, ‘Something has got to be done about this’. They said, ‘It’s not our job’. I was angry.”

Fletchers Close is an “independent living” scheme where residents have to opt-in for a daily or weekly welfare call.

Roughly six weeks ago, after noticing a large amount of post had collected in her mailbox, the neighbour said he and others tried unsuccessfully to contact Carol.

He said he informed staff that he was worried about her.

A few days before Carol’s body was discovered, he alleged, “My friend went up to her front door and knocked and there was nothing. He was opening the letterbox and called out for her. Still nothing, but there was an absolutely nasty smell in there.”

Rajinder Manger, Moat’s head of supported and retirement living, said the firm sent its “deepest condolences” to the woman’s loved ones.

“It is always sad to lose one of our customers, especially for their surrounding community of family, friends, neighbours and staff,” she said.

“We last spoke to our customer during her weekly Monday check-in and she did not raise any health or wellbeing issues at this time.

“While at Fletchers Close, four days later, we followed up on concerns raised by her neighbour and called police when we received no response.

“Our team is speaking to neighbouring customers, who will understandably be upset, and offering them support at this time.”

The Met Police did not respond to a request for comment.