0:00:02 > 0:00:05The law says everyone has the right to a safe place to live.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- You've actually seen that, have you? - Yeah, we have, yeah.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10But for thousands of people across Britain right now
0:00:10 > 0:00:13the reality can be more hovel than home.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15We've got a nappy in the tree there, look.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I'm sure that that is pee.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19COCKEREL CROWS
0:00:19 > 0:00:21In the battle between tenants and landlords,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24it's local housing officers who are on the front line.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25I can smell gas.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27You're committing an offence under the Housing Act.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Are you having a laugh?
0:00:29 > 0:00:30'I'm Matt Allwright.'
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Damp, cold, dangerous...
0:00:32 > 0:00:34They're trying to make me look bad.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Have you only recently become aware of planning permission?
0:00:36 > 0:00:38'I'm back on the job once again,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40'joining the ranks of the housing enforcers.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43'They're tackling problem properties...'
0:00:43 > 0:00:45It's a right old mess in there, isn't it?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48'..dealing with the consequences of nightmare neighbours...'
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I've had three tyres cut.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53'..and doing their best to help those in need.'
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- This is the first time I've had a smile on my face.- Oh, Margaret!
0:00:57 > 0:00:59We just heard a squeak.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Today I have a close encounter of the furred kind.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09BOTH: Oh!!!
0:01:09 > 0:01:12I hear from a council tenant who's at breaking point.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15It's really a pain because I'm fed up with it now.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18This is going to keep going on and on and on.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21And we brave the back yard of a seaside property
0:01:21 > 0:01:23that's anything but shipshape.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Oh, it's horrendous. I mean, there's shopping trolleys,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29there's hardcore, fence panels, all sorts.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Oh, we've got a nappy in the tree there, look.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37They say an Englishman's home is his castle.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41But if that place is rented it's the job of housing officers
0:01:41 > 0:01:44to make sure it's a decent place to live.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47They keep an eye on landlords to make sure the property
0:01:47 > 0:01:49is up to scratch, and on some tenants
0:01:49 > 0:01:52to make sure they're keeping their half of the bargain.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Part of any housing officer's job is to try to unpick disputes
0:02:02 > 0:02:04between tenants and landlords.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08In Sandwell, in the West Midlands, the council deals with
0:02:08 > 0:02:12over 800 complaints about poor housing conditions every year.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Housing officer Neena Varma has had a complaint from a tenant
0:02:16 > 0:02:18who's about to be evicted.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21He's complained about having no heating, no hot water,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23no gas or electric.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26So, we're going to investigate and see what's going on.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30The landlord - he's been trying to gain access to the property
0:02:30 > 0:02:32in order to address some of the issues.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- Right.- But, um, he's not been successful.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Tenant Mark is claiming his rented flat is in such a shocking condition
0:02:43 > 0:02:47he's had to stay with friends, and now he wants to be rehoused.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50But Neena thinks there's more to this case then meets the eye.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53I have a few concerns, really, about the occupant.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57If he's been complaining, why has he only just complained
0:02:57 > 0:03:01when he's been served with an eviction notice by the landlord?
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Why hasn't he brought these issues up earlier?
0:03:04 > 0:03:08And then why has the landlord not addressed the issues any sooner?
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- Somewhere along the line something is not...- Right.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14It's not as it's been reported then.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Mark's flat is one of three in what, on the outside,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21looks like an ordinary building.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24But in the inside it's a very different story.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Is this supposed to be your kitchen?
0:03:26 > 0:03:29That's supposed to be the kitchen, yeah.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Is that where the boiler was, Mark?
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- Yeah.- So what happened to the boiler?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35It got stolen, innit?
0:03:35 > 0:03:36How long ago was that?
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- About a month or two. - Right, OK.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41That's why I had to put a lock on the door.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44You've got no gas or electric, that's what you're saying?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- No gas, no electric.- And how long have you had no gas and electric?
0:03:47 > 0:03:49For about a couple of months, I think.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52And what's your landlord or your letting agent doing about that?
0:03:52 > 0:03:54He hasn't done nothing about it.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58'A lack of the most basic amenities means that this flat
0:03:58 > 0:04:00'is completely unfit for anybody to live in.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06'And things don't get any better in the bathroom, or what's left of it.'
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- What's happened here?- That's what they've done.- Who's done that?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- I don't know, some people, I think. - Somebody broke in?
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- Yeah.- Where's your washbasin?
0:04:14 > 0:04:16They've smashed it.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Can I ask, how much do you pay for this?
0:04:19 > 0:04:21About 100 quid a week.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- And is that paid through housing benefit?- Yeah.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- Right.- Think so.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31So the shocking conditions in here are costing the landlord nothing,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34but I'm wondering why it's taken Mark so long to report it?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Why didn't you contact the council initially, before?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Cos it's only been brought to our attention, well, my attention, now.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43It's only been getting worse since the last couple of months.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45How long have you been living here?
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- Seven years.- Seven years?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49But it's only the past few months it's been like this?
0:04:49 > 0:04:51It's been worse every week or so.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- So, it's been deteriorating, obviously.- It's been getting worse.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Yeah, because the landlords not done anything,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- from what you're saying, yeah? - I just want to move out, so...
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- Well, there's no way that you can live in conditions like this.- No.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Neena's right.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10The entire flat has been thoroughly wrecked and it's uninhabitable.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I mean, I can see that the radiators have been
0:05:14 > 0:05:16pulled off the walls, as well.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19So, were there radiators in here when you moved in?
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- Yeah.- What happened to them?
0:05:21 > 0:05:24They just took all the radiators and the pipes and everything.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- Who took those?- I don't know.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- If I knew who it was I would have phoned the police.- Right.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Scrap metal is a tempting target for thieves,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36with a kilo of copper pipe fetching up to a fiver,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40whilst a radiator could be worth anything up to 50 quid.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Despite sellers now being legally required to prove
0:05:43 > 0:05:46their identity when cashing in scrap metals such as copper,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49it's still a problem which costs the UK economy
0:05:49 > 0:05:52an estimated £770 million a year.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Did you report it to the police anyway?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- No, cos I didn't know who it was. - Well, it doesn't matter, does it?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Do you think that somebody's done this on purpose, then, broken in?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02I think so, yeah.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- And put you in this position, yeah?- Yeah, definitely.- OK.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Well, whatever's happened,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12there's still a case to answer for the landlord who,
0:06:12 > 0:06:17despite the disgusting conditions, is still being paid £100 a week.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19The rent is still currently being paid on a property
0:06:19 > 0:06:22which they know has got problems.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24And I know that they've not had access,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26but there was means and ways of having access if they wanted.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29They could have enforced that by going to court
0:06:29 > 0:06:30and getting a possession order.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I mean, there comes a point when you say,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34look, this is your investment, this is your property.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- Why on earth would you not want to be forcing the issue?- Absolutely.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Is it because...? - They're getting the rent.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Because you're getting the rent.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- You're getting the rent regardless. - Absolutely.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- I mean, this is the worst property we've been in.- I think so.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Coming up, we're in for another shock outside.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I've just seen that rubbish move, there.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54You are joking! Are you serious?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58BOTH: Oh!!
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Over on the sunny coast of Clacton-on-Sea,
0:07:06 > 0:07:11we join up with housing officer Grant and technical officer Ian.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13They've been called out to a problem property that
0:07:13 > 0:07:14has a surprise in store.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19There's a history of complaints with these properties
0:07:19 > 0:07:22over the last 10, 12 years.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27The building is currently rented by Kelly Mills, Brian Noble
0:07:27 > 0:07:29and their young children.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- Have you been here very long? - Since March.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34What, this year? Right, OK.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38They want Ian and Grant to assess a number of issues at their home.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42One of the biggest concerns is the amount of visible damp.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Very high, Ian.- Need to have a look outside, as well.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48And we've also got mould upstairs.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Walls are cracking, the bathroom...
0:07:51 > 0:07:53If you look at the front door,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57down the side is all split where he's done the lock and that.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Oh, right, yeah. - Missing screws and everything.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Huge great gap there. I don't know if it's been jemmied before but...
0:08:03 > 0:08:05In the nine months they've lived here,
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Kelly and Brian have also struggled to get hot water from the boiler.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12If we want to have a bath, we turn the...
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Turn it for the water.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- It only runs a little bit. - Right, OK.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20So, basically, we have to use a shower to actually fill the bath up.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22You've got a mains electric shower.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27All right, let's have a look at the boiler.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- Do you have a certificate for the boiler?- No.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- Has anybody been to check it in the last year?- No.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35That's why the hot water's not very hot.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39The knob's missing off the front here, it was right down on minimum.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42So let's see if we can get some hot water out of it now.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- I can see the steam coming off. - Yeah.- Yeah, that'll do.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Right, we've got the hot water sorted.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49We need a new knob on there, though.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51If only all problems were this easy to fix.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Does your extract fan work?
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- I don't know. I've never heard it. - So does the window open?- No.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00The kitchen ones don't open, that's what we've had a problem with.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- Oh, this isn't good.- What neither of them open?- No, neither of them.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Well, that's painted shut, then, I would have thought.- Yeah.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Yeah, that's painted shut, that one.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12And the issues continue, with a crumbling wall in the back garden.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15We'll show you the garden where the kids come back to play.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- Right, yeah. - It's bowing, as well.- Yeah.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27And when you touch it there you can feel, like, it moving.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Yeah, that's not looking good at all, is it?
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Careful. This could end up seriously hurting someone here.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38It's seriously dangerous, isn't it?
0:09:38 > 0:09:42With safety always being the top priority, Grant takes a closer look.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Crikey! Whose rubbish is this over the back?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Sorry to get off the subject, but look at this!
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Unbelievably, it seems that a section of the garden
0:09:51 > 0:09:55has been fenced off and is now being used as a dumping ground.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59It's horrendous. I mean there's shopping trolleys,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01there's hardcore, fence panels, all sorts there.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05What's happened, Grant, apparently, is when nine moved out
0:10:05 > 0:10:07and seven moved out, they were cleaned out and they were just
0:10:07 > 0:10:09chucking the rubbish over here.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Is this for use for all of the properties?
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Yeah, it was supposed to be. - So, like, a little garden area?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16He was supposed to be opening the gardens up to make
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- the gardens look bigger.- Yeah.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- The smell. Have you smelled it? - No, I mean...
0:10:21 > 0:10:23HE SIGHS
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Kids can't come out to play.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28There's nowhere for the kids to play.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- We've got a nappy in the tree there, look.- Yeah.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Better check the bins there, as well.- Rats, isn't it?
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Have you noticed any rats about? - I know my neighbour has.- Right, OK.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41This quantity of rubbish poses a serious health hazard
0:10:41 > 0:10:43to anyone who lives here.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45We need to deal with this urgently.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49What started off for Ian and Grant as a routine inspection
0:10:49 > 0:10:54has now escalated into something that needs immediate action.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57OK, well, I made some notes. We know what's going on here.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Basically, there's quite a few things we're going to
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- require your landlord to do. - Right, OK.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Not least of which, to clear all that stuff from the back.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08But there are other things here, as well.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11I mean, your windows in particular, you need to be able to ventilate.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13We need to see a gas safety certificate.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- So, what we do is we write a letter to your landlord.- Right.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It will basically set out what we want him to do.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22We'll send a letter to you with a copy of what we're
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- asking your landlord to do.- OK.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25- OK, we'll be in touch.- Thank you.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30- OK, no problems. Thanks a lot, and see you soon.- Thank you.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Coming up, Ian and Grant get a tidy result from the landlord.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Cor blimey, you've been busy.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Crikey, what a difference.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Britain is getting older.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48There are more than 11 million people over 65 in this country,
0:11:48 > 0:11:52and over 600,000 of them live in council-run sheltered accommodation.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57I'm in Stevenage to visit a scheme where housing officer
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Valerie Chalkley keeps a watchful eye over her residents.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- Hello, Val. I'm Matt. - Hi, Matt, I'm Valerie.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04Nice to meet you, how are you?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07I'm the sheltered housing officer for Shaftesbury Court.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Oh, marvellous, that's why we're here.- Absolutely.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- I understand you've got a resident you'd like me to meet? - I have, Miss June Moring.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- Second floor?- Yep, lovely. - Let's go.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Sheltered housing schemes normally comprise of anything between 20
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and 40 self-contained flats or bungalows
0:12:21 > 0:12:25and they have communal areas such as lounges and laundry rooms.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28This scheme in Stevenage has been June's home for over 11 years.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30But recent battles with damp in her flat
0:12:30 > 0:12:33have been causing her some major headaches.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38Since they put the new shower in and put all the new pipework in
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I've got nothing but dampness.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I'm not very happy about it.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44It's stressful.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47As a trainee housing officer,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50I've come to see what we can do about June's problem.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52This is the lounge piece.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- Lovely. So, this is a studio flat? - Studio flat.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- So, you've got this room... - And the bedroom through there.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Oh, look at that. It's very cosy here, isn't it?
0:13:03 > 0:13:05And would you like to see the kitchen?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07I would like to see the kitchen.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Do you know what? It's very bright and light and clean.
0:13:11 > 0:13:12It's fantastic, isn't it?
0:13:12 > 0:13:15'Well, Matt, it may be sparkling on the surface
0:13:15 > 0:13:17'but there's a hidden enemy lurking in this flat.'
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- I've got problems here with the dampness at the moment.- Yeah.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- So, this is the area where there's problems?- Yes.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30- So, they've come out in the last two days, really?- Yes.- To sort it out.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- That's right.- They pulled the fridge out, scrape it away, redecorate...
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Yes.- ..and it's already back again. - It's back again.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39So what's that all about, then?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41We don't know, we've got to investigate.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45I've had all the shower ripped out, and they found a leak there,
0:13:45 > 0:13:49but that's been repaired and everything's going away properly.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52It's clear that the disruption caused by the damp
0:13:52 > 0:13:54is putting a bit of a strain on June.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58They've had all this off, the tiles and the shower off,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- and they can't find no leak behind there at all.- Right.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- Are you worried about having them in to do more work?- Em, I do...
0:14:07 > 0:14:10It's a terrible mess afterwards and I'm quite a clean person.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14I can tell. I can tell that. But there's having it clean,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16and then there's having it clean to your own standards.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- They're two different things, aren't they?- Yes.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21'And the damp has started to creep out of the bathroom
0:14:21 > 0:14:23'and into the hall.'
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It's lifting the paper off, isn't it?
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- And it's going out to the hallway now, as well.- Yeah.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- That's the thing, cos your flat is so perfect...- Yeah.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35..that any little thing,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- you're going to notice it straight away.- Yes.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40'But for council tenants in sheltered accommodation,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42'help is always at hand.'
0:14:42 > 0:14:47What I do, I report to Val, the warden, she gets in touch
0:14:47 > 0:14:51with the contractors, and then they come to see me.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- They do that quite quickly?- Quite quickly, yes.- That's good news.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57'I've made my assessment, so it's time for a debrief with Val.'
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- How did it go? - Yeah, really, really good.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- This is a big responsibility, this place, isn't it?- Very, yeah.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I mean, not only have you got the people that are here,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08but the building itself, it seems...
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's maintainable, as well.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12So, if any repairs or anything like that,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I have to make sure the repairs are done.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18So I've got all the repairs, the ambulance calls
0:15:18 > 0:15:20if anybody falls or anything like that,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23medical conditions, things like that. It's a big responsibility.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- How many residents?- I've got 48.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28She's a lovely lady, June,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30but it feels like one of those jobs that's going to take...
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- It's not going to take one visit. - No, no.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37It's been decorated three times and, because it's continuous,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40something must be there for him to do it. But we can't understand
0:15:40 > 0:15:42where the leak is coming from. It's not coming from above,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45it's only starting halfway down, but it's not going down below.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- Right.- Because I've checked the tenant down below.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49Here's the thing, though, Val -
0:15:49 > 0:15:52if you're here talking to me who's looking after the block?
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- Ah, got my telephone.- So, you're never off duty.- Never off duty, no.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- If they pull the cord, I'm there. - Yep, that's it.- That comes through.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- It was lovely meeting you.- You too. - Take care.- Thank you.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Coming up, the situation in June's flat is worse than expected.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Soaking, absolutely soaking.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Back in Clacton-on-Sea, Ian Kavanagh and Grant Fenton-Jones
0:16:19 > 0:16:23have returned to inspect the scene of some epic fly-tipping,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26and it seems things have changed beyond recognition.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31It's taken Grant and Ian's clean-up team the best part of a day
0:16:31 > 0:16:33to clear all the rubbish and hazardous waste
0:16:33 > 0:16:35from the rear garden,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38and now they're back to check on the progress.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Cor blimey, you've been busy.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Crikey, what a difference.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45And the trampoline's gone, and the swing.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47And all the brick rubble. Blimey.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- Any vermin or anything? - No, none at all.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- Can we get them bikes out, do you reckon, or not?- I'll have a go.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- Just the two bikes.- I was going to say, it's a bit iffy.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58I know that's a bit iffy but if we can get rid of them
0:16:58 > 0:17:00that would be brilliant.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01Lovely, wahey!
0:17:01 > 0:17:04There you are, Ian. New bike for you, mate, look.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06I reckon you can restore that.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08That'll do. Smashing.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Crikey.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Look at that over there, they've even done the...
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- They've even got rid of the dog's mess.- I know.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Everything's gone. You've left a nappy, look.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20I've got David Bellamy coming to look at these new nappy trees.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22They're good, aren't they?
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- You'd have thought they'd have got that down, wouldn't you?- Yeah.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Way!
0:17:28 > 0:17:29Wahey!
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Cheers, chaps. Well done.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- No worries.- Have a chocolate lolly. - Yeah.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37We had quite a result, really,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40cos the actual landlord who owns these properties,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43he lives quite a way away.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47So he was unaware of how bad it's got and that his managing agent
0:17:47 > 0:17:50hadn't made him aware and certainly hadn't sorted it out.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52So we gave him a price to do it and we done it,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55so we'll claim the money back.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57For the tenants, the council clean-up now means
0:17:57 > 0:18:00the gardens are a much safer place.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04I'm just really happy that they've managed to come out and do it now.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I mean, the kids can now really come out and start to play
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and make it their own garden again.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12And now Grant's been in direct contact with the landlord,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15he's confident the other problems inside the properties will be
0:18:15 > 0:18:17dealt with quickly.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20We've served schedules of work on the landlord and he's in the process
0:18:20 > 0:18:24of doing the work, so they've got a slightly longer timeframe on them
0:18:24 > 0:18:27than the rubbish because, obviously, the possibility of vermin.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So, this was urgent, so we had to get this done.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32So, all in all, good result, really.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Back in Sandwell, I'm with tenant Mark
0:18:40 > 0:18:42who's living in shocking conditions.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45His landlord has started eviction proceedings,
0:18:45 > 0:18:50but I want to know why he's still getting £100 a week in rent.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54There has been payment made throughout on this property,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57and that always concerns me. It just makes me think
0:18:57 > 0:19:00when that money's coming in that comes with a little ticket
0:19:00 > 0:19:02attached saying "responsibility".
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Responsibility for the tenant and for the property,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06and for other tenants, you know,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09other properties nearby that will be affected by it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12It looks like the landlord hasn't been keeping
0:19:12 > 0:19:13an eye on the back yard, either.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17I've just seen that rubbish move there.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20You are joking. Are you serious?
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Is there a dead c...
0:19:22 > 0:19:24BOTH: Oh!!!
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- Did you see the size of that rat? - That's just smaller than my dog!
0:19:28 > 0:19:30This is a massive problem here.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33There's problems in there. That's horrible.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Well, it's all this rubbish that's causing the rats to come.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40These are all from the same landlord, these properties?
0:19:40 > 0:19:41Yes, one landlord owns the three.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44So, it would be interesting to know if -
0:19:44 > 0:19:48you know, this place, just being absolutely apocalyptic -
0:19:48 > 0:19:50what the next one up looks like.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Absolutely. So, we'll get an indication of whether the landlord
0:19:53 > 0:19:55is looking after his properties or not.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59You see, Mark says it's the landlord who's to blame
0:19:59 > 0:20:02for not keeping up the maintenance on his flat.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05So, let's see if the tenant upstairs has had a similar experience.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08She's been living here for three months.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12But you've found, generally, if you call him up he'll come out,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- or he'll send someone to sort things out?- He will send someone.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- OK.- I will text him.- Yep.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21'So, the landlord responds to her calls. What about the amenities?'
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Are there any other problems with the flat
0:20:23 > 0:20:25that you can identify at all?
0:20:25 > 0:20:30Is it, you know, damp or does the heating work, the electricity?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- Everything else as far as you're aware...- The electric's fine.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34It's all fine.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36'So, it would appear the landlord
0:20:36 > 0:20:39'isn't quite as neglectful as Mark claims.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41'He's agreed to talk to me on the phone.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44'He hasn't allowed us to record his voice,
0:20:44 > 0:20:48'but he does know I'll be telling you everything he's saying.'
0:20:48 > 0:20:52I'm trying to understand how the property could have been
0:20:52 > 0:20:58in this condition while rent is still coming in.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01That's the thing I find difficult, I'll be honest.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06OK. So, what it sounds like you're saying is that you were
0:21:06 > 0:21:11aware of problems in the property for some time.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15You tried to gain entry but you were concerned that going
0:21:15 > 0:21:20straight to an eviction process might not be in the best interests
0:21:20 > 0:21:23of the tenant, and that's why you held off for some time
0:21:23 > 0:21:27and were unaware, during that time, of quite how bad
0:21:27 > 0:21:30the condition of the property had got.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33'The landlord also says he's made several attempts to get in contact
0:21:33 > 0:21:37'with Mark to gain entrance and repair things,
0:21:37 > 0:21:38'but was unsuccessful.'
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Well, from his side, you know, he's saying that he did try,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46he tried to call and, you know, couldn't get in.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49So, clearly, someone's not right.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- You can't both be right, can you? - No, no, yeah.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56Every time he's come to the door I've offered to him to come in
0:21:56 > 0:21:58and he's doing something else.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00So, he'd come up he'd say, "hello,"
0:22:00 > 0:22:02- and then he'd go away again? - Yeah, yeah.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- So, why would he do that, do you think?- I don't know.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07And no idea what happened with the boiler and the radiator?
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- You just came back...- I came back and it was just like that.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- It had just gone? - I was moving my stuff round
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and I put it all into one place, like, the kitchen,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17and it was all everywhere, on the floor and that.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20And, what, the front door was broken in, were there signs of entry?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- The front door was broke.- Yeah.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23- The back door was broke.- Yeah.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26So I've had to do all that, like, to keep it secure.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28And that's how they took the boiler and the radiator away?
0:22:28 > 0:22:30That's how they came through this way, yeah.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33But you didn't feel like you could contact the police
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- about any of this stuff? - I felt threatened if I did
0:22:35 > 0:22:37cos of people in the area, know what I mean?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40It's difficult for the landlord, then, maybe to believe you
0:22:40 > 0:22:43if there's not a police report or something.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45I know that, yeah, yeah.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47But the people in the area, I haven't phoned the police on them,
0:22:47 > 0:22:48know what I mean?
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Something could come back on me and I'd rather just keep away from it.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Just move.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56So, it sounds like Mark knows who wrecked the flat
0:22:56 > 0:22:59but was worried that reporting it could put him in danger.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02It's a difficult situation, to say the least.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Obviously, at the moment you can't stay there.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06No, I ain't staying in there, no.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Presumably, I don't know, with your mate?
0:23:08 > 0:23:11I don't know if that's a long-term thing, or...?
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Until I get myself a flat, like, get myself sorted somewhere.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- I'm trying to look for a flat, so... - Yeah.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19I don't want to live in this flat anyway, so...
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- It's just not good. - No.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24'I'm not sure whether we'll ever get to the bottom of what's
0:23:24 > 0:23:27'really been happening here and, as housing officers, well,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29'it's not really our job.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31'No landlord wants nightmare tenants.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34'It's probably a good idea to keep a closer eye on a property
0:23:34 > 0:23:37'and deal with any issues before they get out of hand.'
0:23:37 > 0:23:41In the immediate, what's the action that we're going to take here?
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Well, basically, I'll go back and I'll discuss it with my senior
0:23:45 > 0:23:50and see whether we can put a prohibition order on this property.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Try and get some assistance from housing options
0:23:53 > 0:23:56to rehouse the gentleman in question.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Because, like you said, it's just a health risk.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Nobody can live in a condition as we've seen today.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07So that's the immediate call of action that I'll be taking.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10The landlord has been in touch and told us that,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13after several unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property,
0:24:13 > 0:24:18he had no choice but to serve tenant Mark with an eviction order.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21He also says that the flat was in a reasonable condition
0:24:21 > 0:24:23before Mark moved in.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27He's now being rehoused and the landlord is busy renovating
0:24:27 > 0:24:30the flat to get it back into a habitable state.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Oh, and he's cleared all the rubbish from the back yard
0:24:33 > 0:24:36so, hopefully, there'll be no more unwelcome visitors.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44In Stevenage, council tenant June Moring's been battling
0:24:44 > 0:24:49with an ongoing problem with damp in her sheltered accommodation flat.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52It's really a pain because I'm fed up with it now.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54They've had the bathroom out.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56They've had the shower out.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58They've had the toilet out.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02I hope they can solve the problem because, if not,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05this is going to keep going on and on and on.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09But, thankfully, June's housing officers are on the case.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11What we're going to do this morning, June,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- we're going to protect the carpet out here.- Thank you.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16And then we're going to take up the vinyl in the bathroom,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19see what's underneath, run the shower to see
0:25:19 > 0:25:21if anything's coming still from the shower
0:25:21 > 0:25:22and then we'll assess it then.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23Depending on what we find,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I'll tell you what we're going to do afterwards.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- One way or the other, we'll leave you safe and tidy today.- Yeah.- OK?
0:25:29 > 0:25:33And it's all systems go, with extra care taken to protect house-proud
0:25:33 > 0:25:35June's flat from further damage.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38We're going to hope when they take the flooring up
0:25:38 > 0:25:43it's going to be wet through and we've solved the problem.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48And, within half an hour, June's bathroom floor is ripped up,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50revealing the cause of the problem.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54- What have we got there, then? - I'm all wrapped up this morning.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56It's soaking.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58There you go, it's soaking.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00What we do have on site,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04we have a guest room that the residents can use.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Obviously, it's just to stay in.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09So, I think I'll discuss it with June
0:26:09 > 0:26:13and ask June if she's prepared to go up to the guest room
0:26:13 > 0:26:16for a few days, and we'll take this tray out,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19cos this is absolutely soaking.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22It might be an original pipe that we didn't know, under there.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- Until we take that out, we don't know.- Yeah.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- But at least we're on the right track now.- Thank God for that.- Yeah.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Right before her eyes, June's pristine bathroom
0:26:33 > 0:26:36is being pulled apart to get to the source of the damp.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39It smells.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Very mouldy and damp.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52We found a leak on an existing pipe here, so we're going to repair that.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57We're going to dry this bathroom out with a dehumidifier and heaters.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01We're going to take all of the tiles off the wall and replace everything.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02After ten months of chaos,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04there's finally light at the end of the tunnel.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07I'm much happier now they've found the leak.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12This is the third time that they're rigging the bathroom out.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I do hope that they leave it nice and clean,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18the same way as they found it this morning.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22I'm going to put these in here then we'll get the dehumidifier as well.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29So that you can't trip over it.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36That's it there. I've taped that up. Just please be careful when you walk
0:27:36 > 0:27:39in and out where we've put the cable across from the wall socket.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- I will, yeah.- Thanks for your time. - That's all right.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44It's another victory for the housing officers
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and staff at this enterprising sheltered housing scheme.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49June's very happy that we've found the problem.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Obviously, not with the disruption, but she's happy
0:27:52 > 0:27:55we've found the problem and we're going to put it all right.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59That's it for today's show.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Join me next time when I'll be finding out more about what it takes
0:28:02 > 0:28:05to become a front-line housing officer.