Scots woman unable to stay in home for 12 months after 'living in hell' for years

A Scottish woman claims she has been unable to stay in her home for over 12 months after 'living in hell' for years at her Edinburgh flat.

Catherine Douglas said she has had constant leaks since moving in her Clermiston home in 2019 and eventually it became 'unliveable'.

She claimed the leaks started coming through her kitchen roof from the flat above before the same issue started in her bathroom. Speaking about the incident, Catherine compared one of the leaks to a 'waterfall'. She said the leaks have also caused constant damp and mould.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she said: "The leaks started in September 2020. I came in at around 11.30pm one night and it was like a waterfall and all of the tiles fell above the sink.

"A week later it happened again, I had leaks in my kitchen for around four months. Water then started coming through in my bathroom. There was black mould at the back of the paper in the bathroom above the bed in the bedroom which has now been stripped back to the brick to dry it out.

"The bathroom leaks have been since August 2022 and he has refused to do anything about it, he just isn't interested, despite countless calls and WhatsApps. I have been unable to live in my house since last year."

She moved out of her home in May 2023 after the building company representing her insurance advised her to do so. Edinburgh Live has since seen correspondence from the company regarding leaks coming from the upstairs property which states: "After drying the bathroom area, on next inspection to the property, it was clear water is still getting in from the upstairs bathroom."

Catherine added the situation has been "horrendous" and has been unable to have her grandchildren over to stay.

She said: "I made my home insurance claim in April 1, 2023 and by May, it was so bad, I was told that I should not stay in my home.

"It's only starting to dry out now, but the floor is rotten and I am still getting water dripping into a basin in the bathroom.

"It's been truly awful, I can't explain it - so difficult and horrendous. I honestly would not wish this on my worst enemy.

"I am a step-grandma to seven grandchildren and they can't stay over. I have been unable to live in my property due to the negligence of a private landlord who doesn't care.

"I have worked hard for everything I have got and I can't live my life the way I want to."

Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton described Catherine's situation as "utterly intolerable". He added: "Catherine first sought my help some time ago as her living situation has become utterly intolerable. The continual threat of water damage to her property is clearly having an impact on her quality of life and I’m working to support her as best I can."

Edinburgh Live attempted to contact the landlord several times with no correspondence.

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