Couple with phobia of heights ‘horrified’ after being told to move to 14th-floor flat

-Credit: (Image: John Myers)
-Credit: (Image: John Myers)


A taxi driver who claims to have a phobia of heights is pleading with Bristol City Council to reconsider a direct offer of a flat on the 14th floor of a residential tower block. Ali Yaakoubi, who is living in temporary accommodation with his wife, said it was the first direct offer they had received for social housing in two years.

Mr Yaakoubi, who is prescribed medication for his depression and anxiety said that his health conditions will get worse if the couple move into the flat they have been offered in Barton Hill. In a letter to his housing advisor he explained that he had previously stated on his Home Choice application that Barton Hill was not a suitable neighbourhood for himself and his wife.

Mr Yaakoubi had privately rented a flat in Redland prior to his eviction two years ago. The taxi driver said that he was no longer being accepted for privately rented accommodation because the agents now only want ‘professionals’ like ‘doctors’ and ‘accountants’.

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Although the direct offer is currently under review, Mr Yaakoubi and his wife were told to leave their temporary accommodation on Monday, September 16. If his dispute over the suitability of the offer is not accepted by Bristol City Council, they could lose their support for housing.

He told Bristol Live that since the viewing of the flat on August 30 he had struggled to sleep at night and the experience itself was ‘very scary’. When the couple entered the lift at the building he said they were unaware that the flat was on the 14th floor.

In Mr Yaakoubi’s letter to his housing officer on September 9, he said that the direct offer came as a ‘surprise’ because he had previously listed the areas of Bristol where the couple could live but they were not recorded on the form. He explained in the letter: “Barton Hill, on the other hand, is not an area with which either of us is familiar, nor do we know anyone in this area who could support us.

“When we went to view this flat, my wife and I were horrified to discover that it was on the 14th floor of a high rise block of flats as we both have a phobia of heights.”

Speaking about the condition of the flat, he added: “The flat itself was in a terrible state and did not appear to be ready for anyone to move into. There were no light bulbs in the sockets and no furniture.

“We are not in a position to be able to purchase these things for ourselves in bedding, crockery, pots and pans, cooker or fridge, in such a very short space of time, so the property would have lacked basic amenities and been completely unliveable in when the contract said we were supposed to move.”

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His GP has also written a letter urging the council to reconsider its offer of the flat in Barton Hill. In the GP's letter which Mr Yaakoubi shared with Bristol Live, it said: “He is feeling extremely anxious and has a phobia of heights. A move to a high-rise building is likely to have a substantial detrimental effect on his health. Please can you urgently consider alternative suitable accommodation.”

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “Where possible, we aim to provide those experiencing homelessness with a property that best meets their specific needs. To do this, properties are matched with prospective tenants based on the information supplied during their housing needs assessment, which is completed prior to an offer being made.

“This assessment asks households to provide us with pertinent information regarding their situation, including health conditions, which is then taken into consideration when searching for a suitable property for the household. As part of the review process, there will be an opportunity to provide further information, which will then be considered on an impartial basis.”