The family of a Newcastle mum who say they are living in a "disgusting" cockroach-infested flat has slammed the building's management for failing to act quickly to solve the issue.
The single mum-of-three, who does not want to be named, claimed she was horrified to find a large number of cockroaches in her Baxterwood Grove flat when decorating. The cleaner claimed she made the grim discovery on Saturday, January 14 and found that they were in the boiler cupboard, her kitchen and under the carpets.
After speaking to her neighbours she claims they also said they had cockroaches and believe they are entering through the boiler system. However, Chronicle Live understands the resident has struggled to get any help for over a week from the building's management firm, Places for People.
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Speaking on her behalf, brother-in-law Michael Harding, said: "We decided to give her a hand with decorating her flat but in the boiler cupboard, it came to light that she had cockroaches. It was absolutely disgusting.
"She lives on the third floor, the top of the block, so we knew then that it was an infestation in the block.
"She asked her neighbour two doors away if they had cockroaches and he said yes. They are going through the vents in the boiler system."
He continued: "It's something you never hear of. You see people with mould in the flats, but oh my God, the whole cupboard was just crawling with them.
"She has been killing them but when you read up on them they carry lots of diseases. On Sunday there were two next to the microwave so they are getting out of the cupboard.
After discovering the infestation, Michael called Places for People on her behalf on Monday, January 16. He says he made multiple calls and sent emails that week to get the problem sorted but says the company is yet to send out pest control.
"I decided to ring Places for People but they have been pretty useless," he said.
"[Eventually] they said to me that pest control Rentokil is going to fumigate the full block of flats.
"There are several people with these cockroaches so pest control is going to have to clean every flat. If they don't treat every flat then the cockroaches will be there again."
The 58-year-old slammed Places for People for what they believe is a lack of urgency in dealing with the infestation quickly. He says that his relative and her children aged eight, 15 and 17 are still having to live in the property with the cockroaches.
Michael continued: "My sister-in-law said the annoying thing is that if you are one day late on rent then they are on the phone the next day.
"They shouldn't be allowed to treat people like this.
"I have been passed from one person to another [on the phone] and nothing has been getting done. We have done well for them to [finally] say they are going to come out but it has been really difficult.
"My sister-in-law is really stressed about them."
Places for People said pest control specialists Rentokil will start work to tackle the cockroaches on Monday and said it would offer alternative accommodation to the Newcastle mum.
A Places for People spokeswoman said: "While pest control for individual homes is a customer’s responsibility, we will work with Rentokil to carry out the works for the building on Monday, January 30, and we are also talking to the resident to discuss what other options are available, including the offer of alternative accommodation. We are sorry for the impact that this has had on the resident and will work closely with her until we have a resolution that works for all.”
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