Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ed Chatterton & Katie Weston

Furious residents 'left to rot' in council tower block where MICE fall from ceilings

Furious residents say they have been "left to rot" at a council tower block where mice fall from the ceiling.

More than 50 families reside at Jordan House in Birmingham where rain pours in from leaking roofs and mould is so thick that it can "almost be tasted".

Occupants of the high rise say their lives are being made a living hell after being forced to live in the horrific conditions.

They claim the threat of leaking water getting into the electrics poses a safety threat at the building, which is also infested with rats and mice.

Residents say they have received little or no support from Birmingham City Council and feel like they have "simply been left to rot".

Water leaking from the ceiling in Chase and Tammy's kitchen (SWNS)
Residents say the building is also infested with rats and mice (SWNS)

Chase Simper, 26, who lives with his 29-year-old partner Tammy Hill, fears for the health of their two children Mason, seven, and four-year-old Cody.

The former warehouse worker said a mouse even landed on his shoulder after dropping from a lift shaft, while one of his sons found the rodent in his bed at night.

The couple say they also have to heat their children's clothes up in the morning using a hair dryer because they are so damp and have no working heating.

Chase, who has started a petition calling on the council to rehome residents, said: "It is a living nightmare and I am at the end of my tether.

"The place is a massive health and fire hazard and it has been going on since we moved in six years ago.

"At first we discovered there was no heating so they sent us a single plug-in storage heater and considered the problem solved. So that set the tone of things to come.

Tammy in her kitchen where she has to place towels down to stop it from flooding (SWNS)

"Now it literally rains inside our house. The leaking is non-stop, we are forever putting towels down but they are soaked after a few hours.

"The other night at 2.30am we were awoken by our fire alarm as water had got in and set fire to it.

"After the fire service came, all the council did was come and wrap some tape around the wires. We don't feel safe living here anymore but we have no choice.

"We've had over 300 repair notices in six years. We've tried discussing rehoming but they say it's not an option and we have to stay put."

Chase and Tammy say they have spent £500 on pest control and more than £7,000 redecorating their home, where they pay £130-a-week to live.

He added: "We can't afford £1,000 a month in rent so going private is out of the question.

Water leaking from the ceiling in Chase and Tammy's kitchen (SWNS)

"There is mould in every corner of our house and we have redecorated several times. It’s a constant, never-ending stress."

The outside of the block is currently covered in grey scaffolding as recladding work takes place, making the place "look derelict" and "about to be bulldozed".

Chase continued: "That has been going on for over a year. They are trying to make the outside look nice but they don't care about what is happening inside.

"In the meantime it looks like the bulldozers are about to come in, which would be the best thing for it actually.

"The council did provide some new kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms for some flats - but they had to rip those out again because all those got water damaged.

"They just aren't tackling the main problem and it is making our lives hell.

"The council keep saying the right things and that it will be addressed - but they have been saying that for six years and still nothing changes."

The outside of the block is currently covered in grey scaffolding as recladding work takes place (SWNS)

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of resident’s petition regarding Jordan House and apologise for any inconvenience our refurbishment works have caused.

"However, these are essential to ensure the property is maintained to a good standard.

"Regarding the roof leak, a new temporary roof covering is being installed on Friday of this week before a new roof is fitted as part of the wider major works.

"Our pest control officer will work with the residents to eradicate any rodents.

"Regarding the internal works to properties, 95 per cent of the tenants' flats have now been completed (this includes a new Kitchen/ Bathroom/Electrical re-wiring/New heating systems/sprinklers and smoke alarms and a new fire rated door entrance).

"There was a delay in completing the works due to a change in contractor, but they are now in place and they will be fitting a new roof and completing any outstanding structural works, both internally externally, within the next few weeks.

"To bring the block up to the current regulations regarding fire safety standards, a new thermally-efficient external wall insulation will need to be fitted.

"In order for this to take place and to minimise the disruption to tenants, Birmingham City Council will look at decanting the affected customer to another floor of the block if space is available or moving them into nearby temporary accommodation whilst these works are undertaken."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.