Advertisement

Mum-to-be slams landlord as she's scared to turn the lights on in leaking home

Aisha Elsey-Bennett in her leaky bathroom at her rented home in Blackhall Colliery. <i>(Image: STUART BOULTON)</i>
Aisha Elsey-Bennett in her leaky bathroom at her rented home in Blackhall Colliery. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

A mum-to-be has told how she fears turning the lights on as she has slammed her landlord for leaving her in a leaky home.

Aisha Elsey-Bennett, 34, says she has been left putting towels down on the floor to soak up water, and that her home is cold and damp due to the leaks.

Now she says she is so desperate to move that she’s already packing up her belongings, despite not having anywhere to move to yet.

Read more: Trainee police officer who rubbed groin against female student is sacked

Aisha, from Blackhall Colliery, told The Northern Echo: “I’m desperate to move as I cannot live like this anymore.

The Northern Echo: Aisha has resorted to putting towels down on the floor, and keeps a bucket and mop at hand to deal with the leaks,
The Northern Echo: Aisha has resorted to putting towels down on the floor, and keeps a bucket and mop at hand to deal with the leaks,

Aisha has resorted to putting towels down on the floor, and keeps a bucket and mop at hand to deal with the leaks, (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“There’s water coming through at the extension at the back of the house where the bathroom is and I’m having to put towels down on the floor to soak it up. It’s cold and it’s quite damp too.

“I turned the downstairs lights off at the fuse box last week because I’m scared to use them with the water coming through.

“I’m worried for what being here is doing to my baby and the lettings company seem to think it’s acceptable for me to live like this.

The Northern Echo:
The Northern Echo:
The Northern Echo: Aisha say water is also coming through a crack above the doorway.
The Northern Echo: Aisha say water is also coming through a crack above the doorway.

Aisha say water is also coming through a crack above the doorway. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

“They’ve sent someone round to try and fix it but the roof has just leaked again. It’s quite worrying knowing there’s more heavy rain to come.”

Aisha, who is just seven-weeks pregnant and is classed as having a high-risk pregnancy due to having disabilities, says she told her landlord about her condition. The mum-to-be said she felt she had to reveal her pregnancy earlier than 12 weeks as she was worried for her unborn baby.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here

Her home in Blackhall Colliery is managed by lettings company Ready to Rent Management on behalf of a private landlord.

The Northern Echo: Aisha says water leaks all over the bathroom when it rains.
The Northern Echo: Aisha says water leaks all over the bathroom when it rains.

Aisha says water leaks all over the bathroom when it rains. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The firm have said they have now arranged for further works to be carried out at the property and will re-assess the health and safety risks after these have been completed.

A spokesperson for the lettings company said: “We share your concerns regarding Aisha and have been working with a local roofer to fix this issue since first reports of a roof problem on October 20. We asked a roofer to attend as soon as possible and he attended on October 27 and fixed it.

The Northern Echo: Aisha Elsey-Bennett at her home in Blackhall Colliery.
The Northern Echo: Aisha Elsey-Bennett at her home in Blackhall Colliery.

Aisha Elsey-Bennett at her home in Blackhall Colliery. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

“We received a report of further leakage on November 1 and in response rebooked the roofer for November 23.

“After exceptional rainfall on November 17 we received a further call from Aisha and send a local builder with tarpaulin to make a temporary fix, but because of the heavy rain and wind they were unable to fix it safely.

“The roofer is due to revisit this week and we are optimistic of a good resolution. We will re-assess the health and safety risks following the roofer’s visit and take appropriate action.”

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here