A letting agency has reportedly pledged to make repairs at a mum-of-four's mould-stricken home after it was picketed by housing activists on Saturday.
Members of housing action union Living Rent gathered outside the offices of 1-2-Let in Dennistoun, Glasgow on February 18 to demand action on behalf of Pierette Tchialu. The 46-year-old, who lives in a home in the area with her kids aged 20, 17, 14 and 10, said she had been unable to persuade the agency to act on removing "appalling" build-ups of black mould in her bathroom and bedrooms.
The upstairs rooms of her home were without heaters until squeezed by the union to take action. It has covered up the mould with fresh paint but has not taken any remedial action to remove it, nor has it compensated Pierette for the spore-ridden carpet she replaced out of her own pocket.
However, 1-2-Let has since served Pierette with a notice to leave by September, claiming it is to allow for the property to be refurbished. Protestors sought to put further pressure on the agency with Saturday's action after talks with 1-2-Let bosses collapsed.
Living Rent says the agency called the police; officers spoke to agency managers and informed them repairs would be carried out at Pierette's home in a week. Despite numerous attempts, 1-2-Let has not responded to the Record's requests for comment.
A statement from the organisation read: "Our negotiating team was subjected to extremely unprofessional and disrespectful behaviour from the agency staff. When Living Rent members wanted to finally nail down a date and time for a meeting with 1-2-Let’s manager, we were told that he was on holiday and could not be reached - as we were reminded, 'you know how it is, bosses drop in and out!'.
"1-2 Let eventually called the police, who, funnily enough, did manage to talk to the boss. Police then confirmed to us that contractors will carry out necessary repairs in a week.
"The pressure 1-2-Let clearly felt caused them to shut down the office early, and the staff members quickly left the scene. Living Rent looks forward to the repairs being carried out, and 1-2-Let can be sure that we will hold them to account on this.
"However, we continue to demand that adequate compensation be paid to Pierrette and that the manager meet us face-to-face to negotiate. We will not stop until this is achieved."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a demonstration ongoing at a business on Bellgrove Street in Glasgow around 10.45am on Saturday, 18 February. Officers attended and engaged with those present. No further police action was required.”
1-2-Let has not responded to direct enquiries made by a Record reporter by phone and email about Pirette's situation. However, an account that purports to represent the agency posted comments on an earlier Daily Record article online yesterday.
It said: "Both the landlord and letting agency has tried our best to work with the tenants, however she has made it near impossible. It's our view that the tenant is using this publicity simply in an attempt to get the right size of property for her from social housing."
A 1-2-Let spokesperson said: "1-2-Let refutes these allegations. The property complies with the repairing standard and the images are old.
"The mould was as a result of the tenants not adequately heating and ventilating the property. The tenant refused to put electric heaters on due to cost, and the property's heating was recently upgraded to GCH.
"The landlord even provided a credit to her gas account for £150 in order to help. We completely understand that the cost of living is having a major impact on many households throughout the UK. Despite all this, the landlord has never increased the tenants rent over the last 10 years.
"Delays in getting works taking place was due to the tenant not proving access. Notice was given for September as it was looking near impossible to refurbish an overcrowded property, however this can be reviewed.
"The agency has also offered alternative accommodation, however this was declined as the tenant only wants "social housing". We understand that the council has also offered accommodation, but this was also declined."
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