A mum-of-three says she was told to leave her council-provided property with just a weekend's notice.
Carla Traynor said that her Middleton Road property, a three bedroom semi which she moved into in April 2020, has been beset by problems. The latest issue, she told the Manchester Evening News , saw several people receive electric shocks when they use the kitchen sink tap.
Now Carla says she and her three children were forced out of their home on Monday having been told to ‘vacate’ on Friday by a housing officer. The council says Carla can move back to her home once the problems have been resolved.
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Carla says her problems began early in the pandemic, when her landlord chose to sell the property she rented, and placed her at risk of being homeless. That meant the council found her a temporary home for her family.
However, she claims numerous problems with a boiler meant the family-of-four could not have the hot water running while the heating was on — as water would be pumped out onto the flat kitchen roof.
Eventually, Carla says the boiler was replaced in November 2021, but that only led to more problems. She told the MEN: “In January, the hallway ceiling was dripping badly and water was coming through, because of the bathroom. The pipes under the bath were leaking.
“They sent someone round to put my piping in, in January. Ever since, there has been a leak in the kitchen. We have got a leak which is giving us electric shocks from the tap.”
Carla says that an electrician measured the current coming through the tap at 83 volts — with electricity also interfering with the outside tap on the other side of the wall. Now, because the problems are so severe and the house needs a complete re-wiring, Carla has been told she has to leave.
However, she has said the timing of her move is not on. Carla continued: “On Friday, they said I had to vacate on the day or by 10am on Monday (June 13). Where am I supposed to put all the stuff? How are they charging the same rent? That [new house] is a two-bedroom terrace, and this is a three-bedroom semi. This place does not have a garden. Where am I going to put my daughters’ trampoline?
“They’re not stating it's a dangerous property, they are just saying I am moving. Why are they not letting us take what we need with us and come back to get my other stuff later?”
The mum of three also has concerns about her youngest daughter Mia, 8, who could have to move school if the family relocates from Crumpsall to Newton Heath.
Since her move, Carla also says that she has been told she will need to rehome her pets — an emotional support dog for her son and two cats — despite the authorities knowing about them at the previous address.
In response, a Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "Ms Traynor reported issues with the electrics in the kitchen to her accommodation provider on June 6. An electrician visited the same day, but when the issue recurred the next day an electrician visited again and reported that a full rewire of the property was needed to rectify the issue.
“Ms Traynor needed to move out of the property so that the extensive rewiring job could be done. Unfortunately, there was not an alternative property available in her preferred area, so a new temporary property was found which fitted her family needs. As it is more than three miles from her daughter's current school, she is eligible for free school transport. We are aware that she wants to move back into the property, and this will be arranged if possible.
"We understand that this will be a really stressful time for Ms Traynor and we are keen to ensure she has the support she needs as the issues in the property are addressed.
"The accommodation provider has provided help to move most of her belongings and we understand that she needs a bit more time to remove the outstanding items. We have made her aware that they will need to be removed as soon as possible so that the property owner can access the property and complete the necessary repairs.
"Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in temporary accommodation, and this will have been explained to Ms Traynor as part of her original tenancy agreement. The exception is for medical assistance animals for which certification from the training organisation is required."
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