Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Disabled woman had three-year wait for shower
COUNCIL ORDERED TO PAY £750 COMPENSATION
A DISABLED woman who had to wait three years for a new bathroom has won a £750 payout from a London council after she was left struggling to get in and out of her shower.
The housing ombudsman found Hillingdon Council took too long to revamp the bathroom and ordered it to pay the woman, known as Ms X, £750 compensation.
The resident has chronic sciatica and osteoarthritis. Her ordeal began in October 2018 when a healthcare professional recommended that her council-owned property should be altered to make it more accessible.
A report by the housing watchdog said the council agreed to revamp Ms X’s bathroom in December 2018 but she was not given a new shower until December 2021.
Ms X frequently chased the council for updates on the work during this time, which the ombudsman said caused her “avoidable frustration”.
The report added: “The council’s delay meant Ms X had to continue using the unsuitable facilities for longer than necessary... The council failed to keep Ms X updated on progress of the application. This meant she had to continually contact the council for updates... This caused Ms X frustration and meant she went to undue time and trouble chasing updates.”
The ombudsman concluded: “The council significantly delayed adapting the bathroom and failed to keep Ms X updated on progress. This caused her avoidable frustration and meant she had to use unsuitable facilities for longer than necessary.”
The council agreed to pay Ms X £750 and review its procedures to make sure it gives better advice to tenants.
The London Borough of Hillingdon was contacted for comment.
Ms X had also asked the council to redesign her kitchen in 2018 to make it easier for her to reach her cupboards and prepare food, but by August 2021 the council decided not to carry out work on her kitchen, concluding she did not need an adapted kitchen and she would not be eligible for a new one until 2034.
The ombudsman said: “There was no fault in the way the council reached the decision not to adapt Ms X’s kitchen.”