0:00:02 > 0:00:05'The law says everyone has the right to a safe place to live.'
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- You've actually seen rats, have you? - Yeah, we have.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10'But for thousands of people across Britain right now,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13'the reality can be more hovel than home.'
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- We've got a nappy in the tree there, look.- I'm sure that is...
0:00:17 > 0:00:18COCKEREL CROWS
0:00:18 > 0:00:21'In the battle between tenants and landlords,
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- 'it's local housing officers who are on the front line.'- I can smell gas.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28You're committing an offence under the Housing Act.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- Are you having a laugh?- 'I'm Matt Allwright.' Damp, cold, dangerous...
0:00:32 > 0:00:33They're trying to make me look bad.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Have you only recently become aware of planning permission?
0:00:36 > 0:00:38'And 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 > 0:00:57This is the first time I've had a smile on my face...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59We just heard a squeak.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05Where does that go, then?
0:01:05 > 0:01:10'Today, I visit two properties that have been turned into death traps.'
0:01:10 > 0:01:14There's just a cable coming through from the next-door property...
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- I can smell gas.- OK.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21'And has this housing officer taken on more than he can handle?'
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- See all those flies?- Yeah.- You're going to have to do something.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27The property has gone downhill a bit.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Britain is in the middle of a housing crisis.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37The Government reckons to meet demand
0:01:37 > 0:01:40we need to be building nearly a quarter of a million homes
0:01:40 > 0:01:44every year, but the reality is we're only managing about half that.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48It's just one of the reasons why the number of people
0:01:48 > 0:01:52renting their homes right now is at its highest since the 1950s.
0:01:52 > 0:01:57At the front line of this crisis are the country's housing enforcers
0:01:57 > 0:02:01and in this programme, I'm training to become one.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05The job of housing officer is not always a straightforward one.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Some tenants and properties need a little bit more attention
0:02:08 > 0:02:10than others.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14People like Mid Suffolk District Council's Andrew Weavers
0:02:14 > 0:02:16are there to offer a helping hand.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21I do worry about people and once I get my teeth into something,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I do try and help them as best I can.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Today, Andrew is off to visit a council tenant
0:02:26 > 0:02:29who has been on his radar for a little while.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33This particular gentleman I remember going to see a few years ago
0:02:33 > 0:02:36regarding an overgrown garden.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40That got me at the address and I could see the property wasn't at its
0:02:40 > 0:02:46best, let's say, it was quite dirty, he wasn't looking after himself.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49And we'd also got a report that he might have gone missing
0:02:49 > 0:02:54because the door had been left open all day.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57So I visited with the police.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00We found him OK, but he was oblivious to everything.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Andrew's worried that the property's in such a state that the
0:03:04 > 0:03:06fabric of the building could be in trouble.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Because we've had a report from our maintenance section,
0:03:10 > 0:03:15they're a little bit concerned about the condition of the property.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19I think he may have slipped a bit or not been managing very well,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21so I really want to try
0:03:21 > 0:03:25and get in to see if there's anything that we can do to help.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Often, there are telltale signs of a problem on the exterior
0:03:33 > 0:03:36of a property and Andrew knows exactly what to look for.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40One bag in there. And this one's completely empty.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Before going in, Andrew takes a look in the garden.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Not going to be able to get in there.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I'm worried that the place is really filthy.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- Hello, Mr Keegan.- Hiya. - I've just got...
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Our repairs and maintenance department, they're a little bit
0:04:07 > 0:04:10worried about the property because obviously,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- we want to do some repairs at some point.- Right.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- And I think your property isn't quite what it should be.- Oh, right.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27I've just...let it...
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Let it go a bit, I suppose.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32This is Joe Keegan.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Joe's been living alone for several years since his divorce
0:04:35 > 0:04:38and it's very clear he's not managing at all,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42although he hasn't always lived like this.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46When I first left school, I was...an apprentice plumber.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54And I got my apprenticeship as a plumber, then I got made redundant,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57then I worked in a factory for a little while,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01then I saw this advert in the paper - Butlin's.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06And I got a job as a waiter.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09And, um...
0:05:09 > 0:05:13That's where I met my ex.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Right.
0:05:18 > 0:05:24OK. What concerns me, Mr Keegan, is the property has gone downhill a bit.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Right.- I know I think I last dealt with your garden,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- but your garden don't look too bad. - No.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32But it's inside your property.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36The whole house is a health and safety hazard.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- See that fruit over there? That's all sitting there rotten, look.- Yeah.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- Look, there's some fruit here. Look at the flies come up, look.- Yeah.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Look, when I touch that, look at that.- Yeah.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48- See all those flies?- Yeah.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54Believe it or not, Joe actually cooks every day in this kitchen.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59I eat well. Fruit, yoghurts. I cook...
0:05:59 > 0:06:03I got a gammon to cook tonight.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- There's a lot of food laying about. - Yeah.- And a lot of flies.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13And um... There's a lot of um, food that's gone off a little bit.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- Right.- Who is helping you keep on top of this?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- Nobody, really.- Nobody.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23And the bathroom's even worse.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27You haven't used this bath for a long time.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29I use the shower now and again.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Do you? It's got cobwebs in it.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32Yeah.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Is there anyone that can help you clean the place up a little bit?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- Yeah, my son.- Your son.- Yeah.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Andrew's problem is that he needs Joe to at least start
0:06:40 > 0:06:44the work before the council maintenance team will return.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Our repairs people won't come in, they won't do any repairs,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- and the property will go downhill. - Right.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50We've got to get it up to standard
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- so our workmen will come in.- Right. - Now, don't be offended,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55if I can get anybody to come and help,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59if they're wearing white suits, protective clothing. All right?
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Cos they've got to keep themselves safe and clean,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- so don't get offended, all right? - Yeah.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06As I say, we've got to meet each other halfway here.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- We can't do all the work. You've got to do some of it yourself.- Yeah.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Andrew has approached Joe's family to see
0:07:12 > 0:07:14if they're able to help with the clean-up.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17They're going to go and try and give him a bit of a clean-up.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20They've cleaned him up to a certain point before.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23They've even replaced the toilet cistern not long ago.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26But he was surprised how quickly it had all deteriorated.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30So the plan really is, they're going to go in and do a little bit.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I've asked them if they'll get the floors cleared of all the cans
0:07:33 > 0:07:36and the bottles and maybe it's just keeping on top
0:07:36 > 0:07:39and keep doing the visits.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43It's hard for Andrew to leave cases like this at the office.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49I look at them and I look at my dad cos when my dad was alive,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51if he was ever left alone, I think
0:07:51 > 0:07:58my dad would be like that...and...it just drives you to try and help them.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01But will Andrew be able to help,
0:08:01 > 0:08:05or will this all be too much for Joe and his family to cope with?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11My next case takes me to Oxford.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It's one of the UK's oldest cities
0:08:13 > 0:08:16with people calling it home for the last 1,000 years.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20But some problems are very much part of the 21st century.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24This morning, I'm with housing officers,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Alice Hasted and Iain Lingard
0:08:26 > 0:08:30investigating a very unusual situation.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Three tenants in a private property are apparently stealing
0:08:33 > 0:08:36electricity from the house next door, which used to be owned
0:08:36 > 0:08:39by the same landlord, but is now under temporary management
0:08:39 > 0:08:41by the council.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44We start by visiting the flat which is alleged to have been
0:08:44 > 0:08:47stealing electricity from the neighbours.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48KNOCKING
0:08:48 > 0:08:50You do start to get a feel for places straightaway.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53You look at this and you think, this is not a healthy-looking house.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Yeah.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57'Once inside this cramped and airless property,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59'it seems my instincts are correct.'
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It feels like, in Oxford particularly,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04where rents are so high and the value of property is so high,
0:09:04 > 0:09:09there are so many of these places emerging where
0:09:09 > 0:09:14they kind of defy categorisation as a house or a flat or whatever it is.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Because you're just being wedged into whatever space is available.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21It's just impossible. What is this? Is this a flat?
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Is this a house share? Is it lodgings? Is it part of next door?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Is it the same as next door? I don't know.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31The cause for alarm isn't just that three tenants
0:09:31 > 0:09:34are crammed into such claustrophobic conditions.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37It's whether this property's electricity is being supplied
0:09:37 > 0:09:39and paid for by their neighbours.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Are either of them even aware of what's going on?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47From what we can see, this place, which is incredibly hot,
0:09:47 > 0:09:52- is being fed by electricity from next door.- That's right.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54There is no evidence of a meter in here,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57a consumer unit, any kind of controls on this side.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02There's just a cable coming through from the next-door property
0:10:02 > 0:10:05and presumably, whoever is paying the bill in there is also paying
0:10:05 > 0:10:07for the bill in here,
0:10:07 > 0:10:12and it's hot enough to keep tropical plants in here.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13Yes, it certainly is.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17And humid enough, as well.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21You can't tell obviously on the camera, but it's like Kew Gardens
0:10:21 > 0:10:26in here, except without the admission fee and a nice teashop.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28'I wonder whether next door even know
0:10:28 > 0:10:31'they're shelling out for these sauna-like temperatures.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35'A visit to the bathroom reveals even more squalid conditions.'
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Three are living here full-time.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41I say living, but it's quite unbelievable.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46There's not enough ventilation in here and as a result of that,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50every surface is covered in mould.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Covered in thick, black mould.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58We have a loo that's barely functioning.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00'It turns out it's not only electricity that is being
0:11:00 > 0:11:03'supplied, apparently free of charge,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05'courtesy of the folks next door.'
0:11:05 > 0:11:07So, hot water is coming from next door?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- I believe so, yeah. - They're taking hot water, as well?
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- From next door's boiler?- Yes. - Totally separate property.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Those tenants are paying their electricity
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and gas bills to heat next door's flat.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Alice and Iain's job is to assess this perilous property
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and if necessary, move the tenants out of harm's way.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33There are two people living in this room, so a father and son,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36we think, who are occupying this one here.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40It's got the feeling of somewhere that whatever work you do to it,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44it's not going to get rid of some pretty major problems.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- For a start, it hasn't got its own electricity supply.- No.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- How do you get rid of that? - That's the case.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55As soon as that does happen, it is going to be unliveable, anyway.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57At some point in the near future,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00three people possibly being without a home.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I know it's a home that you wouldn't want to live in
0:12:02 > 0:12:04and they shouldn't be living in
0:12:04 > 0:12:06because of what we've found in here,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08but we are talking about possibly a decision which means that
0:12:08 > 0:12:10three people are looking for somewhere to live.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15We cannot accept people living in these conditions.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20If it's so much that it's putting their safety at serious risk,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22we have to take action.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Given the gravity of the case, Alice decides urgent
0:12:25 > 0:12:27and decisive action could be necessary.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30I don't see how an improvement notice
0:12:30 > 0:12:33is going to make this place adequate.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36I think we will need to assess this
0:12:36 > 0:12:40and seriously consider prohibiting the use of this accommodation.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45The potential for a fire in here and next door is great,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47just because of the drain on the electricity supply.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52I'm not a electrician, but I would suspect that cable has not got
0:12:52 > 0:12:56sufficient size to take the amount of power that is going through it.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00What we've got to do is go next door and find out their side of the story
0:13:00 > 0:13:02and see what's happening on the other side of the wall.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Definitely. - Let's go next door and check it out.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Coming up, when we pay a call on the neighbours,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12things are even worse than we imagined.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15This place is terrible in a different way.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21It's been a couple of weeks since community housing officer
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Andrew Weavers last visited Bramford resident Joe Keegan.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29You haven't used this bath for a long time.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31In that time, Joe's family have stepped in to try
0:13:31 > 0:13:34and help clean up his house.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40This time, the exterior signs are much more positive.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42We've got bins in use. This is something I like to see.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Rather than being empty at the side of the property.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48That tells us a lot.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52And they're full. Lovely.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Hello!- Hello, sir.- Oh, my word! Look at your hat!- How are you doing?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Not too bad.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- There's been a massive transformation.- Joe...
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Yeah, it's good, isn't it? - What a difference!- It is, isn't it?
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- How do you feel?- Great.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20It looks to me like Joe's family have been more than just
0:14:20 > 0:14:21lending a hand.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24In fact, they've totally cleared the house.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- So, how long did this take? - Not long.- Not long?- No.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- A little bit of a sweep up.- Yeah. And a hoover.- And a hoover up.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- And a hoover up.- But I was just...
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- When I came and saw you last time, I was a bit worried about you.- Yeah.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41But I can see you're using the bins. I've just heard the bin lorry go by.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Yeah.- I'm eating well.- Good.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- Got some warmer clothes on, as well. - Yeah.- Excellent.- Laundry yesterday.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- Good.- Yeah. And I've got a nice bit of gammon.- Lovely job.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Smoked gammon.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Fantastic.- I'll cook that in the oven, in a big casserole pot.- Yeah?
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- With onions, mushrooms, on a slow heat, number one gas.- Well done.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05You wouldn't want to have cooked in here before.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08It was full of clutter and dirt, a real health hazard.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The transformation now is unbelievable.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Just a few weeks ago, the living room was pretty much uninhabitable.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Now, you can actually see the floor. And the television.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25The bathroom was causing serious health concerns.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Now, Joe's family have put in some elbow grease... Well, have a look.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Oh, wow! That's a lot better. I can actually see the bottom of the bath.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Fantastic.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39It's proper progress.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Now, Joe, you've just got to keep it up.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- You took part in helping, did you? - Yeah.- Did you throw stuff away?
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- Yeah, I did.- And you're going to continue to use your bins?- Yeah.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Recycle bins? - I put the bin out today.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- I noticed.- Yeah. - First thing I noticed.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54I thought - hello, that's good news.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- I don't think it will get as bad as it did before.- No.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- Cos I think you probably realised... - Oh, yeah.- You just can't...- Yeah.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04- Live like that.- No.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08And also, I think you need to help your ex-wife
0:16:08 > 0:16:12and your son by actually putting your rubbish in the bin.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- Yeah.- What I will do, I'm going to come back.- Right.- Probably about...
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- I'll probably give it about a month. - Right.- About four weeks.- Right.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- And I'll come and give you a knock. - All right, then.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- All right?- Yeah. - I won't tell you I'm coming.- No. - Keep you on your toes.- All right.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28THEY CHUCKLE
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- Lovely job.- Bye, Andrew.- Well done. Good old boy. Thanks very much.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- Well done.- Yeah.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- Seems like a happy ending for Joe. - It's fantastic.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Not being in a mess, you know?
0:16:41 > 0:16:47- And his house.- I'll make sure it's not going to get like it was before.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51He's a likeable fella. And today, he's made a bit of an effort.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54He's put some clothes on, for a start, which is always handy.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58And he's put his hat on, his cap, so...brilliant. I'm really pleased.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01And for Andrew, it doesn't get much better.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Good visit. I was really impressed.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08They've done wonders, haven't they, the family?
0:17:08 > 0:17:12And I think that's a work in progress. So, I'm happy.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Um... I think Joe seems happy.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17As he promised, a few weeks later,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Andrew paid a surprise visit to Joe, just to check how he's
0:17:21 > 0:17:24getting on, and to make sure that everything is OK.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28I'm very pleased to report that Joe is managing to keep his house
0:17:28 > 0:17:30clean and tidy.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Back in Oxford, and we are trying to get to the bottom
0:17:39 > 0:17:42of an extremely hazardous situation
0:17:42 > 0:17:44where tenants in a privately let flat
0:17:44 > 0:17:49are supposedly stealing electricity from the neighbouring property.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51We will need to assess this
0:17:51 > 0:17:56and seriously consider prohibiting use of this accommodation.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Time to pay a call on the neighbours
0:17:58 > 0:18:01who we believe are shelling out for next door's electricity supply.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Immediately, we are confronted
0:18:03 > 0:18:06with some seriously dodgy-looking electrics.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- As you can see here, that is the cable.- Where does that go, then?
0:18:15 > 0:18:20It goes all the way down there, goes all the way along this wall...
0:18:20 > 0:18:25- And right into next door. - Down here, through the wall there.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Through the wall there, yup. - And then that's the kitchen...
0:18:29 > 0:18:31That's the kitchen for next door.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34So this was one house and next door's been carved up.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38Carved up and they've put an extension on the back.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- This place is terrible in a different way.- Yep.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- In a completely different way, isn't it?- Yep.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Just the state of disrepair in this place is...
0:18:44 > 0:18:47It feels quite depressing, doesn't it?
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Eventually we discover the truth about the arrangement
0:18:50 > 0:18:53behind this DIY electricity-sharing scheme.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55How many people are living here?
0:18:55 > 0:18:58How many people are here now?
0:18:58 > 0:18:59Eight people.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- Eight people.- Are they receiving anything for heating next door?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Have we got any information on that? - Yeah, I've just established.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08One of the tenants has just told me that
0:19:08 > 0:19:12the neighbours next door make a contribution of £15 per week.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16So the idea that they are stealing the electricity,
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- we can forget that now.- We can, yes.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21It's actually an arrangement of some sort.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24We're not dealing with theft, but the sums still don't add up.
0:19:24 > 0:19:2815 quid a week for all of your electricity, all of the gas that
0:19:28 > 0:19:32you need for the baths and showers, that sounds like a bargain to me.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33It is.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Yeah. We move out of earshot to discuss the best way of dealing with
0:19:37 > 0:19:38this dire state of affairs.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40What happens next, Alice?
0:19:40 > 0:19:44Well, looking at the condition of the property,
0:19:44 > 0:19:48we believe that there are some significant hazards within there,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51as we've gone round and had a look.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57I think it is just not safe enough for them to be living there,
0:19:57 > 0:20:02so the next steps would be emergency prohibition order
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- under the Housing Act.- Are we talking about hours, days, weeks?
0:20:06 > 0:20:07When is this going to happen?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09We will be considering that today
0:20:09 > 0:20:14and probably putting it in place tomorrow, so...pretty quick.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16As quick as that, wow.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20So we came here thinking maybe that this property here was stealing
0:20:20 > 0:20:23electricity from the one next door but, in fact,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27once we've got inside, the reality was really much worse than that.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Totally, totally unacceptable conditions
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and that's why, in the next couple of days, there's a good chance
0:20:34 > 0:20:37that's going to have a prohibition order slapped on it.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Nobody should be living there.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44In fact, the case is considered
0:20:44 > 0:20:47so urgent that the council waste no time in taking action.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Less than 24 hours after our visit,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52housing officer Sharon Morgan has brought along electricians
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Phil and Justin
0:20:54 > 0:20:58to cut off the power and prevent a possible catastrophe.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Right, so the power's being supplied from in here.- OK.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08It's such a bewildering set-up, it takes a while for Justin
0:21:08 > 0:21:12and Phil to work out exactly which cable is feeding next door.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15No, I haven't seen anything like this before.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16It's just a huge fire risk.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Nothing else for it, but to shut down the electric.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- You've got to make sure that supply comes off.- Supply to next door...
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- Comes off and cannot be reconnected. - ..cannot be reconnected.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35So I'll now disconnect the smaller fuse board which feeds
0:21:35 > 0:21:36the property next door.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38The issue is that if next door
0:21:38 > 0:21:42need to get to their fuse board for safety or maintenance,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44they shouldn't have to come out of their house
0:21:44 > 0:21:46and back into somebody else's house. Obviously,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50if people are out or the doors are jammed, then it's not safe.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54You need to safely be able to get to your electrical system.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02But as the supply is disconnected,
0:22:02 > 0:22:06housing officer Sharon raises a serious problem.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10I can definitely smell gas, what's...? Is that the number?
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- Yeah...- It's still valid, yeah.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16If you think you can definitely smell gas,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18I'm not going to turn this fuse board back on.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- I can smell gas.- OK.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Hiya, Greg, it's Justin Atkinson from Oxford City Council,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27we've just come with the Private Landlord Scheme to disconnect
0:22:27 > 0:22:29a property from the power
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and one of our colleagues thinks
0:22:32 > 0:22:34they can smell gas.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Erm, I think I can smell gas, so we're just going to get it checked.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41We've asked for Transco, the local provider, just to come down
0:22:41 > 0:22:43and check to make sure that there isn't a gas leak
0:22:43 > 0:22:45and it is absolutely safe.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Safe is one thing this property isn't.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50It's doesn't take long for the men from the gas company to make
0:22:50 > 0:22:52a startling discovery.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55He's just been running his diagnostics all over it
0:22:55 > 0:22:57and he's found a big leak, apparently.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01So, pretty lucky that my colleague smelt it.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06There are over 30 gas-related deaths in the UK every year,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08so it's vital to remember, if you smell gas,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11you've got to open all doors and windows,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15extinguish naked flames and call your supplier immediately.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21The place is nothing short of a deathtrap, so housing officer
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Alice Hasted makes a return visit
0:23:23 > 0:23:25to get the tenants out and close it down.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31As it's an emergency, the tenants will be asked to leave the property.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34They will have to find their own accommodation.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37The landlord can no longer let this property
0:23:37 > 0:23:40and if he wants to re-let it, he will have to carry out works
0:23:40 > 0:23:45to make sure the property is safe and is habitable.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50If he doesn't do that, it will continue to be prohibited from use.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54It's taken less than 24 hours from our first inspection to serve
0:23:54 > 0:23:58a prohibition order on this unsafe accommodation
0:23:58 > 0:24:01and possibly save the lives of the tenants who live here
0:24:01 > 0:24:03and that is what the job's all about.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11There's also some urgent attention needed in Sheerness in Kent.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16Susan Hughes' job is helping those who can't always help themselves.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20People whose health has deteriorated
0:24:20 > 0:24:23can struggle to keep up repairs in their homes.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Sometimes, a house needs to be adapted if it's to continue
0:24:27 > 0:24:30being a home for a person who isn't as mobile as they were.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Today, Susan is visiting Paul Johnson,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36following a referral from one of his carers.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Social services have contacted us
0:24:39 > 0:24:42because they are worried about this gentleman who has got
0:24:42 > 0:24:46a bit of a disability, about his staircase, that it's open plan
0:24:46 > 0:24:48and he could fall down.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I'm just coming to have a look to make sure I think
0:24:50 > 0:24:54that they are dangerous and chat to the client to make sure
0:24:54 > 0:24:57that he does want this done and we can get the work organised for him.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01I'm Susan Hughes, I've come to look at the stairs.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- Oh, yes, they are quite dangerous, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- So, you struggle getting up and down, do you?- Yes, I do.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I have a carer coming in three times a week so I go up
0:25:12 > 0:25:15and have a wash or bath.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20It's coming down that's a real problem.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23I'm so worried that I won't even let the carer in front of me
0:25:23 > 0:25:25just in case I fall or anything.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26It's quite dangerous.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29I see you've got the rail along one side, which helps a bit.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- You just need some support on that side?- Yes.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Right, that is something we can do
0:25:33 > 0:25:37and look at under the health funding, because it would prevent a fall.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Obviously, if you did fall, it would cause a lot more issues
0:25:39 > 0:25:43and a lot more funding for health to actually sort you out.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47- Luckily, you've not had a fall from it yet.- No, but my children have.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Really? OK.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54It was always my biggest concern, but then when I got made redundant
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- and then became ill, I never was able to do it.- Right.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Paul lives with his wife and children.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Over recent years, his health has deteriorated to the point where
0:26:04 > 0:26:08he finds DIY difficult and some parts of his home are now dangerous.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Especially in the last two or three years,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14things have got progressively worse.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18It's not just repair work that Paul now finds difficult.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20His limited income is another barrier
0:26:20 > 0:26:22to maintaining the family home.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26It shows signs that this is a family in need of help.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28The stairs are very dangerous.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32It's coming down the stairs that my legs are all wibbly wobbly
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and I don't feel safe.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Paul is so unsteady on his feet
0:26:37 > 0:26:40that he's frightened to use the stairs without banisters.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Together with his wife, he has taken the drastic decision to start
0:26:43 > 0:26:47sleeping downstairs in what was the family dining room.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49This is my bedroom that I was talking about.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- It's not really convenient. - DOGS BARK
0:26:52 > 0:26:56More importantly, it's not very, erm...
0:26:56 > 0:26:57private.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04As you come through the bedroom, which is the old reception room,
0:27:04 > 0:27:08then you come into an extension that was built on before us
0:27:08 > 0:27:13and this is the reception area which leads directly onto our kitchen.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16And, as you can see,
0:27:16 > 0:27:22it's not very practical to have a bedroom right next to a kitchen.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26The missing handrail means Paul can't move around his home safely.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Susan's on hand to help make this once neat-and-tidy house
0:27:30 > 0:27:33a safer place for him and for his family.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35I'll get some estimates and come back to you,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37but there is definitely some funding there for it.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49And less than two weeks later, a new banister has been installed.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54With Susan's help, Paul can now go
0:27:54 > 0:27:56up and down the stairs much more safely.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05That's it for today,
0:28:05 > 0:28:08join me next time on the front line with Britain's housing officers.