AN ORFORD couple have been rehomed just in time of their baby's arrival following a 'gobsmacked' reaction by Golden Gates Housing Trust's (GGHT) property manager when she visited the property.

Terry Charlson and partner Laura O'Regan, previously of Newhaven Road, were angered by GGHT's delay to tackle leakage problems in their flat's kitchen and bathroom after flooding.

GGHT confirmed an initial inspection diagnosed the problem as condensation before it discovered, and fixed, a 'small leak'.

A property manager visited the flat last week and Terry said she was 'shocked' by the state of the property, which has been hit by 'slug infestation'.

The pair have now moved into a new home, on Keswick Avenue, ahead of the imminent arrival of Ruby-May.

"She visited the flat and within two hours of the visit we were told we were moving into a new property because of the state of everything – she was absolutely gobsmacked," said Terry.

"She saw the shocking conditions first hand and saw what we have had to put up with for all this time.

"More slugs were coming out of the walls too and worms, it was not nice at all.

"But Laura is over the moon that we have been moved – it has been very stressful for her."

GGHT has fitted new carpet in the couple's property, replaced the path and provided Laura with a grant to carry out decoration work.

A spokesman said: "Upon further investigation it became apparent that the issues in the property were far more serious than we originally suspected.

"Our property services manager was then called to visit the property and made the decision to move the tenant while the work was carried out.

"We also took the opportunity to support the tenant to update their Choose a Home application, given their change of circumstances.

"As a result the tenant was successfully allocated a new property and we were able to support them in making a permanent move."