Legal News

A couple with chronic health conditions have allegedly been left living in a damp and dangerous house by their local council – despite their pleas to have the house repaired.

Michael Brown and his partner Michelle Melles from Darlington say their local council assured them essential repairs would be carried out when they moved into their council house in May this year.

Ms Melles is heavily pregnant and suffers from asthma – her partner Michael Brown is disabled as a result of arthritis.

The couple say the boiler in their house is “temperamental” and some of the radiators do not work. The overall condition of the house is also poor, with a long list of repairs which need to be carried out. The property has a bowed ceiling – and other problems include bare electrical wires, holes in the walls, missing door handles, a fuse box that keeps tripping and broken fittings.

Mr Brown is a builder by trade and says that he knows exactly what needs to be done, but Darlington Borough Council will not allow him to carry out the repairs himself.

Since moving into the house, Ms Melles has contracted pleurisy and pneumonia and Mr Brown’s arthritis has worsened.

The couple already have a two-year-old son and social services have allegedly told them he must continue to live with relatives until a suitable home is found for them.

The couple told local news publisher The Northern Echo that they take baths at their friends’ houses because of the dangers in the bathroom and the cost of heating the water.

Mr Brown alleges that the council will not carry out repairs to the property because it is due for demolition.

Ms Melles and Mr Brown are currently withholding their rent in protest, but may face court action as a result.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said an officer for the council had visited the property “on a number of occasions”, but there had been no answer. The spokesman confirmed the council would continue to fulfill its duty as landlord and added:

“We are unable to comment on individual cases – however, we would encourage the tenant to call the housing team to arrange for an officer to visit the property to discuss what repairs are required and agree a suitable plan of the works.”

The spokesman added that despite public meetings, no decision had been made about the future of the estate the couple live on.

Mr Brown said that they had tried working with the council but had got nowhere.

“It’s like the house that Jack built – they’re not bothering because it’s scheduled for demolition, but people still have to live here and it’s ridiculous.

“I’m angry and frustrated and they’re not listening – we’re trying to work with them but getting nowhere.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors offer legal advice to public and private sector tenants – as well as landlords – on a wide range of matters, including:

• Disrepair of rental property
• Local housing authority properties
• Housing Benefits
• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Unlawful eviction
• Housing possession
• Mortgage repossession.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors.

For expert advice on all housing and landlord and tenant matters, contact Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.