Rhyl mum ‘at my wit’s end’ in fight to have ‘dangerous’ property fixed

Leanne Pearson, 30, moved into her current home, on River Street, in February, after charity Big Help Project offered her and her family accommodation there.

She lives there with five children, who range in age from one to 12, and her partner, and works at the Spar shop on the Lyons Robin Hood holiday park.

But ongoing issues at the property, including potential fire hazards and alleged antisocial behaviour by other tenants, have left Leanne “at my wit’s end”.

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Leanne said: “It’s dangerous for my kids to be here.

“There’s a step that goes into the property which is broken and hollowed inside, and which my one-year-old keeps catching her leg on and cutting herself, but they haven’t fixed or replaced it.

Cuts which Leanne said her daughter sustained from the broken step (Image: Leanne Pearson)

“There’s water leaking in the conservatory, and no fire alarm in the building.

“If the water catches anything electrical and causes a fire, there is no fire alarm here to wake me up. It took us 10 weeks just to get hot water in the building.

“We’ve had threats of arson, of drug dealing… we’ve had problems for as long as we’ve lived here.”

Leanne said she continued to raise the issues with staff, but to no avail so far.

The problems at the property are exacerbated by the fact that her 11-year-old daughter is being tested for autism spectrum disorder, and so finds staying at the home particularly difficult.

She has been staying with Leanne’s mother at times, while Leanne said her stepson “hates coming to stay with us,” as well.

Leanne added: “I’ve begged the staff constantly, but all I get back from them is that they’re busy and that other properties of theirs need their attention first.

“I’m at my wit’s end now. It’s draining, and it’s having a massive effect on my kids.

“My 11-year-old daughter has been getting tested for ASD, so she’s frightened all the time, and hates the fact that police are always here.

“My stepson hates coming to stay with us, as well. It’s hard enough for me and my partner to work and split our time between all five kids.

“I just want somewhere safe for my kids – that means either they sort out all of the problems properly, or they move us somewhere safer.

“I want my daughter to be able to come back full-time, and my stepson to not have to worry about coming here.”

Big Help Cymru (BHC) said it has worked closely with Denbighshire County Council (DCC) to provide temporary accommodation for those at risk of homelessness in Rhyl for more than two years.

It currently has more than 50 rooms available, at the council’s disposal, to house people on either a short- or long-term basis, often at little notice.

It also employs a full-time maintenance operative and supervisor, who looks after all of its properties within the Rhyl.

A BHC spokesperson said: “We are unaware that Ms Pearson has made any complaints to DCC about the standard of accommodation or indeed requested DCC to find her family alternative accommodation.

“We are aware of the damage to the step mentioned; we have already provided a temporary fix while awaiting a contractor to attend to provide a permanent fix or rebuild if required.

“BHC will follow this up with immediate effect and appoint an alternative contractor, if necessary, to address this issue promptly.

“We have not received a report that any member of the family has suffered personal injury due to this temporary repair.

“We are pleased to confirm that there is a compliant fire alarm in the property, in reply to the comments suggesting otherwise.

“This includes fire reporting and evacuation procedures in every room.”

BHC is also currently setting up a “Help Hub” in Rhyl, on Vale Road.

This will provide support to residents, via referral, to assist with debt, employability, and welfare advice.

The company will be operating a “food club” from this location to allow people to access a wide range of groceries and household items at low cost.

The BHC spokesperson added: “All of our properties have running hot and cold water, many of our rooms are ensuite, while some share bathroom facilities.

“Any previous or future issues with the provision of a hot water supply have and will be addressed immediately.

“The identified water leak in the conservatory has been a recent issue due to the torrential rain and unsettled weather. Attention and repairs to resolve this issue are already underway.

“We operate a comprehensive CCTV system around the clock to ensure the safety and welfare of all our residents and staff.

“We did, unfortunately and worryingly, receive a recent threat of arson from a resident. This was directed at a member of our staff, and not to any of the residents.

“This incident was at one of our other properties and was very unsettling for the member of staff concerned. BHC are offering them continued support.

“We are aware that a number of our residents are placed with us and have complex social needs; this is an aspect which BHC recognises and work to support.

“The incident was promptly reported to the police who placed a ‘rapid response marker’ on the property. DCC were fully informed of the incident.”