‘LIVING HERE HAS BEEN THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE’
Tenant hits out at mould and damp in tower block earmarked for demolition
A COUNCIL tenant living in a soon-to-be-demolished tower block has been left living with a leaking ceiling, rotting furniture and soaking wet soft furnishings.
Jordan Banks is no longer able to sleep in his bedroom as damp and mould rips through the onebedroom flat.
The 20-year-old is living in Boundary Court, in Hanley – and Stoke-on-trent City Council has already announced plans to demolish it.
It comes as the council launched a crackdown on damp and mouldy homes late last year.
Jordan says he has had issues with damp ever since moving into the property three years ago.
He said: “I have called the council about the mould and damp at least 10 times. One time when they actually came out, they just covered it with damp and mould paint. But it comes back.
“One look at my bedroom and you can see my clothes are soaking wet, my bed is wet, and the ceiling is dripping. It looks like it’s going to fall in.
“I have to sleep in my living room because it’s so wet in the bedroom. I’m on my sixth sofa and I’ve had to buy two beds.
“I’ve always got a bad chest, I’ve never been so ill as I have been since I lived here. I have to have amoxicillin because of infections.
“The sealant on the windows has eroded and no matter how much I have the heating on it’s always freezing.
“I have to make sure all the electric plugs are out of the sockets and covered up because of the water. It’s a safety risk.
“They say because it’s such an old building they can’t do anything about it. I don’t think it’s safe. I’ve been asking for so long for something to be done but nobody can help me.
“Living here has been the worst experience of my life.”
It is not known when Boundary Court will be demolished.
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, said: “We have visited Mr Banks’ property. We have taken steps to help to manage the problem he is having with condensation and will continue to work with Mr Banks to resolve the issues.”