‘I WISH I COULD LIVE ELSEWHERE’
Disabled mum says her council house has catalogue of problems
DISABLED tenant Rachel Sharp has told how she has endured a catalogue of issues with her new council house – after waiting almost six months to get the keys to the property.
Rachel, of Blurton, finally moved into the threebedroom property in early December after agreeing a number of disability-friendly adaptations with Stoke-ontrent City Council.
But the mum-of-two says she suffered lengthy delays waiting for the keys – and then discovered the catalogue of problems after moving in to the Little Cliffe Road house.
Rachel says the problems included: ■ Damaged window and kitchen hinges; ■ A hole in the kitchen ceiling; ■ A faulty shower; ■ Bedroom windows which could not be closed.
The 47-year-old said: “I viewed the house at the end of June and was told it would take eight weeks to get it ready. But in September there were no keys, and it was the same story in October and November.
“On December 7 I moved in and and was waiting for a stairlift and grab rails because I have spinal degeneration. Picture: Malcolm Hart
“I then found out the small bedroom windows won’t close, and the window hinges are broken. We had a leak in the kitchen as well.”
At one point Rachel says she discovered the shower in the newly-adapted wet room wasn’t working and had to call the council.
She said: “I phoned the council and was asked for a medical reason why I needed to bathe. But the council installed the shower. That wound me up and I ended up hanging up.
“I moved out of a twobedroom flat share in Joiners Square with a friend, and this is making me want to go back, but I can’t because I have two daughters.”
Council bosses say the majority of the work on Rachel’s property has now been completed.
Councillor Randy Conteh, cabinet member for housing, said: “The majority of the repairs that needed to be undertaken at this property have been completed.
“Work to the windows is currently underway, and the requested handrails are being arranged.we have received no reports of a faulty shower.”