A DISABLED mum has revealed the shocking state of her council home – claiming she hasn’t had a kitchen for eight months with the ceiling even falling in.
Sharon Fleming, 50, moved into the property with her son, 17, three years ago, saying the family had been plagued with problems including asbestos at the home in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
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Sharon told the Daily Record: “I have had no kitchen for eight months, as there was asbestos in the air.
“We have had an asbestos survey carried out and it’s in a number of areas in the house.
“Myself and my son were exposed to it for two-and-a-half years before anything was done about it.
“All my white goods from the kitchen are in my living room as I can’t use the kitchen. It’s ridiculous.
“I have a wet wall on the inside of my bedroom, which is getting ignored.
“A wall that’s in my bedroom is going to fall out into my garden.
She said the ceiling in two bedrooms came down last November which were fixed in March but added the ceiling in her son’s bedroom was “bevelling again”.
Sharon she has raised the issues with her home with a number of councillors as well as the Airdrie and Shotts MSP Neil Gray.
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To make matters worse, a faulty drain in the garden has caused flooding in her home.
Despite having written to the councillors and her MSP, she says she’s had “no help whatsoever”.
Sharon said: “I have forwarded the asbestos survey and pictures of what I have had to live with but I’ve not been getting any help.
“I have only been in the property for three years, I’ve been flooded three times and every time I try to get help for the repairs I am refused or made out to be a liar by North Lanarkshire Council.
How to complain about your council home
According to the government’s website, there are three steps you can take to complain about your council property.
At first contact your local council, they should have a complaints procedure that you can follow.
If the issue isn’t resolved by the council, you can contact your MP or a local councillor to ask for their support.
If the problem is still not resolved you can contact the Housing Ombudsman. You can email them at [email protected] or telephone 0300 111 3000.
“One contractor has been out and essentially ruined my garden and verbally abused me which was witnessed by my son. I’ve told the council I don’t want them near my home.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said the local authority had given “extensive support” to Mrs Fleming over a number of years and would continue to do so.
The spokesperson added: “We are treating this matter seriously and are keen to resolve the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.
“However, in order for us to fully complete the works the tenant needs to allow us entry to the property when we have made pre-arranged appointments with them to carry out the work required.”
Shotts MSP Neil Gray said: “My team and I have been aware of the issues Ms Fleming has with her house for some months and have been working closely with North Lanarkshire Council to try to resolve them.
“We will continue to work towards a resolution that Ms Fleming is happy with.”
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