A COUPLE of tenants in Abergele have pleaded for their landlord to help with issues at their properties, which include antisocial behaviour and the presence of mice.
The two tenants, who asked not to be named, live in flats in Pensarn owned by letting agents SH Properties, themselves based also in Abergele.
Both tenants are parents to two children each, and told of the detrimental impact that living in their homes is having on the physical and mental health of themselves and their children.
A spokesperson for SH Properties said that the company has “done nothing wrong” and attempted to resolve the tenants’ problems as best it can.
Tenant One, who has lived in their property since June 2021, claimed that the conditions of their home are making their children ill.
They said: “(There are) mould, mice, fleas, and rubbish around the area – the flats are in a very poor condition and the housing or local enforcement teams are not doing enough.
“I was given a letter of repairs that needing doing. They failed to do them all in time and to the correct standard.
“My daughter is now on a inhaler and still suffering with a cough and being very poorly due to the flats.
“Some of the people have criminal records, drink and drugs problems, and I'm being harassed by my neighbours about my kids being loud. They call me names in the street and cause me lots of stress.
“I can’t take any more; if I have to live here, then it’s only going to end badly. Something needs to be done.”
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In response to this, a spokesperson for SH Properties said: “This tenant has had all repairs done, apart from extra sockets in her flat, which is being done as soon as our electrician can do them.
“The tenant has an ongoing problem with another of the tenants, mainly because he thinks the tenant encourages their children to make a noise; we have tried to sort this problem out.”
Tenant Two, who has lived in their property for three years, and said they have also sought the help of Conwy County Borough Council in resolving the issues they have encountered.
The tenant said: “I’ve basically lived in a mouldy, damp flat for three years. My children are constantly coughing, and are on antibiotics for their chests.
“The same landlord offered me another property, only (for me) to go in and see mice running across the floor, more damp and more mould.
“So, I've give them the keys back and told them I don't want this new flat they're offering.
“I've rang the council and they’re saying there's absolutely nothing they can do; it's down to my landlord.
“These flats are disgraceful and not suitable for kids.”
In response to this, the SH Properties spokesperson said: “This tenant reported the damp and we are dealing with it.
“We can’t do the work when they are living in the flat. We offered them a large one-bedroom (flat) for them to go in temporarily while we carry out the work needed.
“The flat we offered them was not damp and has no mice. We have also offered them a two-bedroom flat, which we are clearing out as it was abandoned.
“The tenant has looked at this flat and is looking at it again once it has been cleared out and cleaned; this will also be a temporary measure until the damp in their flat is dealt with.
“The council is aware of their issue and know we have offered them alterative accommodation. The other alternative is for them to go into a bed and breakfast temporarily, which they don’t want.
“The tenant would like a council property; unfortunately there isn’t anything available.”
Conwy County Borough Council was also approached following SH Properties’ comments.
A council spokesperson said: “These properties are licenced under the authority’s HMO (houses in multiple occupation) additional licensing scheme, and are routinely inspected by housing enforcement officers.
“The landlord has acknowledged work needs to be undertaken and we are satisfied that the landlord is addressing the issues we identified. All work will be inspected in due course.”
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