Couple's plea to end a repair nightmare (From Warrington Guardian)

Couple's plea to end a repair nightmare

A CREWE couple have issued a desperate plea for essential repair work at their Pyrus Avenue home after living in nightmare conditions for more than a year.

Mark and Tracey Lewis are still waiting for contractors to carry out building work in their living room and kitchen after 18 months of delays.

Tracey, who moved into the Wulvern Housing property in 1992, said repairs to the walls and ground floor ceiling should have been carried out by December last year.

For over a year, leaks have flooded the ground floor kitchen every time they have a bath or shower, and steel poles have been installed to make sure the ceiling does not collapse.

A temporary dividing wall is also in a state of disrepair, and the tiled floor is crumbling.

The couple admit removing the wall, a breach of their tenancy agreement, but have offered to pay for the repairs to be carried out.

Tracey said: "They told us they would put up new walls, a door and patio doors before last Christmas, but we're still waiting.

"I'm partially disabled and unsteady on my feet, and the floor is crumbling and the damp is seeping through.

"We've also had these green poles and holes in the roof for 18 months, so water comes down whenever we have a shower, which is dangerous.

"They promised us faithfully that the job would be done before last Christmas, but we're still waiting.

"I slipped and banged my head on a pole, and we're desperate for the work to be done."

Mrs Lewis, who suffers from epilepsy and is paralysed on her right side, insisted the couple were prepared to pay for the renovations.

The couple's solicitor Martyn Tucker, of EJ Bamforth solicitors, said: "They do appreciate the fact that Wulvern have not evicted them, and it is the length of time to rectify the error that is the problem.

"The clients have admitted fault and have agreed to pay back the money.

"Now all they want is to get the work done."

Wulvern Housing said a contractor had been appointed to rebuild the interior walls.

A spokesman for the housing association said: "We have appointed a contractor to reinstate the interior walls after they were removed without permission by Mr and Mrs Lewis.

"To carry out alterations to a property without permission is a breach of tenancy and can be grounds for eviction.

"This project has unfortunately been delayed by problems in gaining access to the property and due to the ill health of Mrs Lewis.

"In this instance, we have allowed Mr and Mrs Lewis to continue their tenancy, and are making the necessary arrangements to re-house the couple whilst building work is underway."