Leeds council tenant says appalling conditions have left her at ‘breaking point’
A Leeds City Council tenant has been left without a kitchen(Image: Provided)
A council tenant was left with no water, no kitchen and mould throughout her house – despite having three children, one of whom is asthmatic.
Jessica Warsop, from Leeds, had a damaged kitchen covered in mould. Leeds City Council agreed to fix the kitchen, but the work has left her house covered in dust, her eldest son forced to stay at a friend’s house, and left her with no way to cook food for her family. And the 15-year-old decrepit kitchen units were set to be reinstalled in the house.
Jessica told YorkshireLive the council have “failed to ensure that my home is safe and habitable for me and my children”. She said there is “extensive mould throughout the entire house”, including in the kitchen, living room, upstairs rooms and hallways. The mould has been present for “some time” and is getting worse.
Last week, a repair team came to fit a new kitchen in Jessica’s house. After being told her lower units would be replaced, she was then informed the old kitchen would instead be reinstalled, despite it being covered in mould, damaged and 15 years old. However, the council has since changed course again and will now provide new lower units for Jessica. The upper units are remaining the same.
The mouldy kitchen the council wants to reinstall(Image: Provided)
The dust and disruption from the repair work have forced Jessica’s son to stay at a friend’s house because his asthma has worsened. He was even rushed to hospital at one stage. Meanwhile, Jessica has been left without a kitchen for over a week, and has been told by workmen she will not have one installed until next Monday, December 15, at the earliest. It has meant her neighbour had to feed her children this week as she was unable to cook and had not budgeted for takeaway meals.
At one point, she was even left with no water in her kitchen, meaning she couldn’t cook some basic ramen noodles for tea. The council has since installed a temporary sink for her to use.
Jessica said: “The Council is aware of our situation and has still left us to live like this, with no support, no temporary facilities, and no regard for our welfare. The disrepair team has also failed us, stating that they are unable to pursue the case because they ‘won’t make money from the claim,’ leaving me with no avenue for help.
“I am at breaking point. I do not know how I am supposed to feed my children tomorrow or how long we are expected to live like this. These conditions are not only unacceptable but dangerous.”
The house is covered in mould(Image: Provided)
She added: “I cannot express how distressed and helpless I feel. My children’s health and wellbeing are at risk, and I have exhausted every avenue I know.”
Jessica has written to her local MP, Fabian Hamilton, in the hope he can provide some support and pressure the council into repairing her property quickly and effectively.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The council takes its responsibilities as a landlord extremely seriously and is absolutely committed to providing and maintaining quality homes for people in Leeds. In response to a disrepair claim from the tenant, contractors are currently carrying out repair works to the property. The kitchen has been assessed and does not require a full replacement. Other works in the kitchen are planned to be completed by December 16, and temporary worktops and a sink have been provided whilst repairs take place.
“During our checks yesterday, some mould was identified in a pantry cupboard, which has now been dealt with. Some dust was also identified in the kitchen, which has also been dealt with. Contractors have been reminded to ensure that dust is kept to a minimum during the works. We would always encourage tenants to report any problems they are having with their home as soon as possible so we can take appropriate action.”
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