A TENANT from Ellesmere Port says that they wouldn’t have agreed to move to their current property had they known that it would be equally as ill-equipped as the last.

Steven Roberts, of Raby Court, said that his family have been frequently let down by housing association ForHousing after they transferred himself and his family from one problem property to another.

Mr Roberts had previously contacted the Standard in summer last year when he and his family had been residents of Durham Court.

Their bottom floor flat had thick black mould in several rooms together with serious water leaks throughout the building. The mould was beginning to affect their breathing, and particularly that of his wife Patricia, who requires and inhaler.

Their specially adapted wet room, which was also essential for Patricia who is disabled, had become unusable due to loose tiles and a large split in the flooring beneath the shower. Steven, 50, who is a full-time carer for his wife, says that provider ForHousing had promised to move them temporarily to Raby Court while a suitable bungalow was found.

But the new property has also come with its fair share of issues. The Raby Court property still has evidence of mould, albeit to a lesser extent, and there are large gaps beneath the skirting boards and evidence of subsidence.

The flat has also required repairs to an area of flooring around the sewage pipe, which shares a wall with Steven’s bedroom, and at one point made the flat smell of excrement, attracting clouds of flies.

Wirral Globe: A repair was conducted on a sewage pipe, but the hole in the wall leading behind the toilet has been patched with a board.A repair was conducted on a sewage pipe, but the hole in the wall leading behind the toilet has been patched with a board. (Image: NQ/Steven Roberts)

Whilst some repair work was carried out at the start of this year and the hole has been covered with a board, Steven says that there is still ‘midges everywhere’ in the mornings and evenings and they are waiting for the problem to be properly resolved.

Wirral Globe: The bathroom at Raby Court.The bathroom at Raby Court. (Image: Steven Roberts)

The main issue, however, is that it has a traditional bathroom, with the addition of handrails, which Steven and Patricia say are not sufficient. 

Patricia does not have the upper body strength to lower herself into or pull herself out of the bath and in regularly needing to help her, Steven has since damaged his shoulder.

Steven said: “There’s no way I would have taken a property with a bath permanently.

“It’s affecting us badly. I have to think of my wife, she can’t get out of the bath by herself, she needs help day to day.”

The injury meant that Steven required physiotherapy, and he now feels that he is struggling to give his partner the support that she needs on a daily basis. Despite several attempts to raise the issues, Steven said that ForHousing have not been forthcoming.

"As soon as they put the phone down, we're yesterday's news," he added.

ForHousing have since responded, apologising for the issues that the Roberts family have experienced, however they dispute that the move was intended to be temporary.

Janet Lawton, Head of HMC at ForHousing said: “We are very sorry for the issues experienced by Steven and his family with their home. Our key focus is the health and wellbeing of the family.

“The family agreed to a permanent move to their new home in July 2023. We provided new furniture and carpets as part of this move.

“Last year, Steven reported damp in their new home, and we have conducted two damp surveys and a mould wash since then. The first survey, in November 2023, noted the need for more ventilation but no mould was present at that time.

“A second survey, carried out last week, has identified some areas with mould but assessed the home as fit to live in. An appointment has been made for Monday April 8 for further assessments and to plan the work required, and they will also organise a structural survey of the home, at Steven’s request.

“We have completed some minor adaptations to the bathroom and will support the family with organising an Occupational Therapist assessment for adapting their home further, as well as their registration to move to a new home.

“Our absolute priority remains ensuring the family’s home is safe, comfortable, and well-maintained and we are in constant contact with them as we carry out the repairs that are planned.”