A “disgusted” couple have said they feel like they are “living in a kennel” after moving into a mould and grease ridden property which is impossible to clean.
Zoe Winter, 31 and Luke Eddison, 25, moved into the three bed maisonette in Lincoln with their three young kids because their last home only had two bedrooms.
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They got hold of their home on the Hartsholme Estate through a mutual exchange, which is when two council tenants arrange to swap properties, through their own agreements.
But when the couple along with their one, four and five year-old, moved in on March 18, 2022 – they were utterly mortified how the previous tenants had left it.
Mum Zoe said: “The hygiene issue of the kitchen is not to my standards and I wouldn’t even have a dog in there, it’s disgusting.
“There is black and grease at the top of the units that I’ve tried scrubbing.
“We’ve had to have the ceiling plastered because of a leak that was here previously.”
Zoe also slammed how the bathroom has been tiled so badly that it looks like a child has done it, and there is dirt absolutely everywhere.
Pictures reveal filthy surfaces with black and brown dust and mould so thick it looks like soil.
While the shower is so disgusting the family are left feeling dirtier after a wash than before.
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She insists that despite relentless cleaning, she can’t get even get the filth off and barely has a chance to sit down and enjoy the home.
The mum-of-three explained: “I have a bath and get out and still feel dirty.
“My autistic child doesn’t like the bathroom and I won’t allow my children in the kitchen because it’s a health and safety hazard.”
Mutual exchange requires both tenants to have inspected each others’ homes and agree to accept the tenancy for each dwelling in its current condition prior to moving in.
While it is also the tenant’s responsibility to clean and repair any damage from previous tenants, City of Lincoln Council told the distraught pair.
But Zoe says that when she looked around the property, she wasn’t able to have a thorough look due to a previous tenant living there.
I wouldn’t even put a pig in there. A pig has a better living state than what we do
Luke Eddison
She added: “It was more just a quick look and I have a child with separation anxiety so when I looked around I had my daughter with me and couldn’t go through the cupboards.”
Luke is also at his wits end, he said: “It feels like I live in a kennel.
“I wouldn’t even put a pig in there. A pig has a better living state than what we do.”
He added how it’s “downright depressing to live in this house” and that he hates getting out of bed to face another day in the grotty hole.
He said: “I see my partner go round scrubbing and scrubbing but she can’t sit down and enjoy the house.”
The dad admits he has even been out of work due to his mental health and that since they have moved into the property it has worsened.
DESPERATE
Desperate Luke said: “My son didn’t have a shower for five days because of no shower curtain.
“It’s depressing for all of us because you expect to be able to get a shower.
“You can’t have one because it will just leak over the floor and cause a hole in the ceiling.”
A spokesperson for the City of Lincoln Council said: “The tenant moved into their property through a mutual exchange process, which is when two tenants arrange to swap properties, through their own agreements.
“Part of this process requires both tenants to have inspected each others’ homes and agree to accept the tenancy for each dwelling in its current condition.
“In accordance with all tenancy agreements, the council will carry out any routine repairs required.
“However, in a mutual exchange process, it is the incoming tenants’ responsibility to repair any damage caused by the previous tenant and to clean the property if required.
“All parties were made aware of this prior to the exchange taking place, and accepted the properties in their current condition.
“We have visited the tenant’s property to conduct the routine repairs we are responsible for, with future visits planned.”
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
