Pensioner told she would have to wait 20 years to get lounge window cleaned

A HOUSING association which told a tenant she would have to wait 20 years to get her lounge window cleaned has done a Uturn ahead of a decision by the Housing Ombudsman.

The Guinness Partnership told window cleaners to stop washing Mary Morrison’s lounge window at the flats complex where she lives in Hoyland, Barnsley, because it was above a flat roof and that created health and safety problems.

When she complained she was told the only solution was to wait until the windows were due for replacement, when the flats in Fitzwilliam Close would be 30 years old – meaning a 20-year delay because the building was constructed only a decade ago.

Guinness told Mrs Morrison, 71, they had closed her complaint at that point and suggested she approach the Housing Ombudsman if she remained unhappy, which she did with assistance from Barnsley Councillor Tim Shepherds.

But Guinness have now backtracked on that decision and confirmed they are looking for a solution which could involve changing the windows, something Mrs Morrison had previously suggested and was dismissed by the organisation.

In the meantime, they will use a mechanical lift to reach the window, the only source of natural light to the whole living area of Mrs Morrison’s home.

The saga began before Christmas when she realised the window was no longer being cleaned and it emerged staff had been doing it by climbing onto the roof.