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 > 0:00:18COCK CROWS
0:00:18 > 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 > 0:00:29- You're committing an offence under the Housing Act. - Are 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 > 0:01:12In the Lake District we meet a housing trust chairman
0:01:12 > 0:01:14with a unique way of getting to meetings.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17So, sale went through yesterday. Officially yours.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Absolutely, we're now the proud owner of a public toilet.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24I hear from a council tenant who's at breaking point.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It's really a pain because I'm fed up with it now.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30This is going to keep going on and on and on.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32And we brave the back yard of a seaside property
0:01:32 > 0:01:34that's anything but shipshape.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Oh, it's horrendous. I mean, there's shopping trolleys,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40there's hard core, fence panels, all sorts.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Oh, we've got a nappy in the tree there, look.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48They say an Englishman's home is his castle.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52But if that place is rented it's the job of housing officers
0:01:52 > 0:01:55to make sure it's a decent place to live.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58They keep an eye on landlords to make sure the property
0:01:58 > 0:02:01is up to scratch, and on some tenants
0:02:01 > 0:02:04to make sure they're keeping their half of the bargain.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Part of any housing officer's job is to try to unpick disputes
0:02:14 > 0:02:16between tenants and landlords.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19In Sandwell, in the West Midlands, the council deals with
0:02:19 > 0:02:24over 800 complaints about poor housing conditions every year.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Housing officer Neena Varma has had a complaint from a tenant
0:02:27 > 0:02:29who's about to be evicted.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33He's complained about having no heating, no hot water,
0:02:33 > 0:02:34no gas or electric.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37So, we're going to investigate and see what's going on
0:02:37 > 0:02:41The landlord - he's been trying to gain access to the property
0:02:41 > 0:02:44in order to address some of the issues.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- Right.- But, um, he's not been successful.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Tenant Mark is claiming his rented flat is in such a shocking condition
0:02:55 > 0:02:59he's had to stay with friends, and now he wants to be rehoused.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02But Neena thinks there's more to this case then meets the eye.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04I have a few concerns, really, about the occupant.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09If he's been complaining, why has he only just complained
0:03:09 > 0:03:13when he's been served with an eviction notice by the landlord?
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Why hasn't he brought these issues up earlier?
0:03:15 > 0:03:20And then why has the landlord not addressed the issues any sooner?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- Somewhere along the line something is not...- Right.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25It's not as it's been reported then.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Mark's flat is one of three in what, on the outside,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33looks like an ordinary building.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36But in the inside it's a very different story.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Is this supposed to be your kitchen?
0:03:38 > 0:03:40That's supposed to be the kitchen, yeah.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Is that where the boiler was, Mark?
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- Yeah.- So what happened to the boiler?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It got stolen, innit?
0:03:46 > 0:03:48How long ago was that?
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- About a month or two. - Right, OK.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52That's why I had to put a lock on the door.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55You've got no gas or electric, that's what you're saying?
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- No gas, no electric.- And how long have you had no gas and electric?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01For about a couple of months, I think.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04And what's your landlord or your letting agent doing about that?
0:04:04 > 0:04:06He hasn't done nothing about it.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09'A lack of the most basic amenities means that this flat
0:04:09 > 0:04:12'is completely unfit for anybody to live in.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17'And things don't get any better in the bathroom, or what's left of it.'
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- What's happened here?- That's what they've done.- Who's done that?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- Dunno, some people, I think. - Somebody broke in?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- Yeah.- Where's your washbasin?
0:04:26 > 0:04:27They've smashed it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Can I ask, how much do you pay for this?
0:04:30 > 0:04:32About 100 quid a week.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- And is that paid through housing benefit?- Yeah.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- Right.- Think so.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42So the shocking conditions in here are costing the landlord nothing,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46but I'm wondering why it's taken Mark so long to report it?
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Why didn't you contact the council initially, before?
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Cos it's only been brought to our attention, well, my attention, now.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55It's only been getting worse since the last couple of months.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57How long have you been living here?
0:04:57 > 0:04:58- Seven years.- Seven years?
0:04:58 > 0:05:01But it's only the past few months it's been like this?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03It's been worse every week or so.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- So, it's been deteriorating obviously.- It's been getting worse.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Yeah, because the landlords not done anything,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- from what you're saying, yeah? - I just want to move out, so...
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Well, there's no way that you can live in conditions like this.- No.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Neena's right.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22The entire flat has been thoroughly wrecked and it's uninhabitable.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I mean, I can see that the radiators have been
0:05:25 > 0:05:27pulled off the walls, as well.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31So, were there radiators in here when you moved in?
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- Yeah.- What happened to them?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36They just took all the radiators and the pipes and everything.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37- Who took those?- I don't know.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- If I knew who it was I would have phoned the police.- Right.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Scrap metal is a tempting target for thieves,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48with a kilo of copper pipe fetching up to a fiver,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51whilst a radiator could be worth anything up to 50 quid.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Despite sellers now being legally required to prove
0:05:54 > 0:05:58their identity when cashing in scrap metals such as copper,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00it's still a problem which costs the UK economy
0:06:00 > 0:06:03an estimated £770 million a year.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Did you report it to the police anyway?
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- No, cos I didn't know who it was. - Well, it doesn't matter, does it?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Do you think that somebody's done this on purpose, then, broken in?
0:06:12 > 0:06:13I think so, yeah.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- And put you in this position, yeah?- Yeah, definitely.- OK.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21Well, whatever's happened,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24there's still a case to answer for the landlord who,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26despite the disgusting conditions,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28is still being paid £100 a week.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31The rent is still currently being paid on a property
0:06:31 > 0:06:33which they know has got problems.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35And I know that they've not had access,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38but there was means and ways of having access if they wanted.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41They could have enforced that by going to court and getting a possession order.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45I mean, there comes a point when you say, look, this is your investment, this is your property.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- Why on earth would you not want to be forcing the issue?- Absolutely.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- Is it because...? - They're getting the rent.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- Because you're getting the rent. You're getting the rent regardless. - Absolutely.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- I mean, this is the worst property we've been in.- I think so.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Coming up, we're in for another shock outside.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04I've just seen that rubbish move, there.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06You are joking! Are you serious?
0:07:08 > 0:07:09BOTH: Oh!!
0:07:17 > 0:07:20The stunning scenery of Cumbria's Lake District
0:07:20 > 0:07:22attracts 15 million visitors a year,
0:07:22 > 0:07:27generating over a billion pounds for the local economy.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30But Allerdale Council's becoming increasingly aware
0:07:30 > 0:07:34there's a price to pay for this incredible success.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Housing manager Emma Bundock
0:07:38 > 0:07:41can see it's the local community who's suffering
0:07:41 > 0:07:43as a relentless rise in property values
0:07:43 > 0:07:45is starting to take it's toll.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48We're in the National Park and it's a highly sought-after area.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53There's a lot of second homes here where people who maybe
0:07:53 > 0:07:55live in London come up here at the weekends to enjoy.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58But it bumps up the prices for local people.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Second homes and holiday lets have pushed prices so hard
0:08:02 > 0:08:06that a house in the area now costs around eight times the average wage,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09putting property out of reach for many of the young locals
0:08:09 > 0:08:11who are on low incomes.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15The main jobs around here are obviously in the tourist industry.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18We've got a lot of hotels, bed and breakfasts.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21You walk through Keswick and it's mountain shop after mountain shop.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26And, with over 15,000 people employed in the tourism trade,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29the result is a serious need for affordable housing.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30As the pressure mounts,
0:08:30 > 0:08:35Allerdale Council's having to think outside the box.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37They're on a drive to re-use empty council buildings
0:08:37 > 0:08:40and - believe it or not - next in the pipeline
0:08:40 > 0:08:43is this old toilet block in the centre of Keswick.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47We owned this property, this toilet block,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51and it's been empty for about two years surplus to requirements.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54So it's an ideal opportunity to do something different
0:08:54 > 0:08:57that will really help local people.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59To get the conversion off the ground,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02the council's teamed up with a local housing trust.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06And today Emma's meeting up with it's chairman, Bill Bewley.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10I'm meeting Bill by the lakeside in Keswick this morning.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13He lives in Keswick, but I'm not quite sure what to expect
0:09:13 > 0:09:15when I get there. You never really know with Bill.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21As a true man of the Lakes, there's only one way for Bill to arrive.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Apparently he swims in there at least once a week,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30regardless of the weather.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35How is it, Bill?
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Hey-hey!
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Have you swam the length?
0:09:40 > 0:09:41Thought you were going to join me.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Oh, I'd love to, but...
0:09:43 > 0:09:46You're braver than I am, Bill.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- It's supposed to help the immune system, you know.- Does it?
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Good for the soul, as well.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Must be good for something!
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Bill's housing trust arranged to buy the toilet block
0:09:57 > 0:09:59from the council five months ago.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02They spent a bit more than a penny, but not much.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04It cost them a nominal fee of just £1,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08while the renovation works will be funded by a grant and a loan.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11So, sale went through yesterday, officially yours.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16Absolutely. We're now the proud owner of a public toilet, disused.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- Which will be, all being well, four one-bedroom units.- Fantastic.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22All for local people, as well.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25All for local people, all for rent. All for people, hopefully,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28who work in Keswick. That's the whole idea, you know?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32To try and make Keswick a place where you can both work and live.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35And today Emma finally hands over the keys.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Don't lose them in the lake, Bill.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40So, I've brought the keys with me anyway, so we'll go have a look round.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Have you got the plans with you, as well?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Yeah, I've got the plans we can go through all of that. They look good.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- Get you warmed up first, I reckon.- Yep, yep.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51The toilet block in Keswick may be down an alleyway,
0:10:51 > 0:10:56but it's a central location perfect for the planned one-bedroom flats.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59They'll only be a short walk from the shops and bars
0:10:59 > 0:11:01where future tenants are likely to work.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Wow, so this is going to be one of the...
0:11:08 > 0:11:10This will be the downstairs one.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13So the entrance won't be from where we've just came in?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- No, it'll be at the front, up there.- Right.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- And we're just about at the start of the bedroom.- Fantastic.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20Can't wait to see it.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22I know, it'll be a total transformation, won't it?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24And a great use of an empty building.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Oh, it's an absolutely perfect central location for anybody
0:11:28 > 0:11:32who's working in Keswick, and that's what we're trying to achieve.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35To give a home to people who are working
0:11:35 > 0:11:37in the hospitality industry in Keswick.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40As the need for affordable housing continues to rise,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44rejuvenation schemes like this are become increasingly important
0:11:44 > 0:11:47because building from scratch is tightly controlled
0:11:47 > 0:11:50in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Obviously in the National Park there are greater restrictions
0:11:53 > 0:11:55on developers building houses,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58so it's sometimes often easier to build on a footprint
0:11:58 > 0:12:03that's already here or renovate a building that's already there.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05And this scheme certainly looks like it will deliver.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07The upstairs used to house more toilets
0:12:07 > 0:12:10but, if the conversation goes to plan, within six months
0:12:10 > 0:12:14it'll be providing a further two starter flats for young locals.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16This is the ladies toilets?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Originally this was the ladies, yeah.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- The poor ladies had to climb the stairs.- Wow.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23It's a great space, isn't it?
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Isn't it fantastic?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Yeah, you can see the size of it.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Cos from outside it doesn't look that big, but you can imagine
0:12:31 > 0:12:34the dividing line that would be down here.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Bedroom, bathroom, living area.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40And it looks a little bit smaller because of this wall here,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43but this wall will be coming down.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47You can imagine another metre and a half, two more metres, I think it is.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Well, there aren't that many one-bedroom flats around here.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55There are some, but almost none of them are properly insulated.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57They're very expensive to heat.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59We're hoping we can afford to do underfloor heating,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01which would be brilliant.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05The trust's major concern is that young locals are gradually
0:13:05 > 0:13:08being driven away by high prices, so the flat's will only ever
0:13:08 > 0:13:12be used to help those who can't afford to rent or buy in the area.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14You see, at the end of the day,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Keswick knows no town can live by tourist alone.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20It's a passion of mine.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23I believe it's absolutely essential that somebody does provide
0:13:23 > 0:13:25affordable housing for the people of Keswick.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Otherwise it'll die - there won't be children going to the school
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and all of the facilities could eventually deteriorate.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Bill's going to have to stay fit.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38His inbox is filled with similar projects designed to stop Keswick
0:13:38 > 0:13:43becoming a lopsided community and to preserve it's future.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45I've had a lot of jobs in my career,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48some have been well-paid, some not so well-paid,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52but I can honestly say this is the most rewarding job I've ever had.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Back in Sandwell, I'm with tenant Mark
0:14:00 > 0:14:03who's living in shocking conditions.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05His landlord has started eviction proceedings,
0:14:05 > 0:14:10but I want to know why he's still getting £100 a week in rent.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14There has been payment made throughout on this property,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17and that always concerns me. It just makes me think
0:14:17 > 0:14:20when that money's coming in that comes with a little ticket
0:14:20 > 0:14:22attached saying "responsibility".
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Responsibility for the tenant and for the property,
0:14:25 > 0:14:26and for other tenants, you know,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29other properties nearby that will be affected by it.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32It looks like the landlord hasn't been keeping
0:14:32 > 0:14:33an eye on the back yard, either.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I've just seen that rubbish move there.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40You are joking. Are you serious?
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Is there a dead c...
0:14:42 > 0:14:45BOTH: Oh!!!
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Did you see the size of that rat? - That's just smaller than my dog!
0:14:48 > 0:14:50This is a massive problem here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53There's problems in there. That's horrible.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Well, it's all this rubbish that's causing the rats to come.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00These are all from the same landlord, these properties?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Yes, one landlord owns the three.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04So, it would be interesting to know if -
0:15:04 > 0:15:08you know, this place, just being absolutely apocalyptic -
0:15:08 > 0:15:10what the next one up looks like.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Absolutely. So, we'll get an indication of whether the landlord
0:15:13 > 0:15:15is looking after his properties or not.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19You see, Mark says it's the landlord who's to blame
0:15:19 > 0:15:22for not keeping up the maintenance on his flat.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25So, let's see if the tenant upstairs has had a similar experience.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28She's been living here for three months.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32But you've found, generally, if you call him up he'll come out,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- or he'll send someone to sort things out?- He will send someone.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- OK.- I will text him.- Yep.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42'So, the landlord responds to her calls. What about the amenities?'
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Are there any other problems with the flat
0:15:44 > 0:15:46that you can identify at all?
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Is it, you know, damp or does the heating work, the electricity?
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- Everything else as far as you're aware...- The electric's fine.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54It's all fine.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56'So, it would appear the landlord
0:15:56 > 0:15:59'isn't quite as neglectful as Mark claims.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02'He's agreed to talk to me on the phone.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04'He hasn't allowed us to record his voice,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08'but he does know I'll be telling you everything he's saying.'
0:16:08 > 0:16:13I'm trying to understand how the property could have been
0:16:13 > 0:16:18in this condition while rent is still coming in.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21That's the thing I find difficult, I'll be honest.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26OK. So, what it sounds like you're saying is that you were
0:16:26 > 0:16:31aware of problems in the property for some time.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35You tried to gain entry but you were concerned that going
0:16:35 > 0:16:40straight to an eviction process might not be in the best interests
0:16:40 > 0:16:43of the tenant, and that's why you held off for some time
0:16:43 > 0:16:47and were unaware, during that time, of quite how bad
0:16:47 > 0:16:50the condition of the property had got.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53'The landlord also says he's made several attempts to get in contact
0:16:53 > 0:16:57'with Mark to gain entrance and repair things,
0:16:57 > 0:16:58'but was unsuccessful.'
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Well, from his side, you know, he's saying that he did try,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06he tried to call and, you know, couldn't get in.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09So, clearly, someone's not right.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- You can't both be right, can you?- No, no, yeah.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Every time he's come to the door I've offered to him to come in
0:17:16 > 0:17:18and he's doing something else.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- So, he'd come up he'd say, "hello," and then he'd go away again? - Yeah, yeah.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- So, why would he do that, do you think?- I don't know.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27And no idea what happened with the boiler and the radiator?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- You just came back...- I came back and it was just like that.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- It had just gone?- I was moving my stuff round
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and I put it all into one place, like, the kitchen,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37and it was all everywhere, on the floor and that.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40And, what, the front door was broken in, were there signs of entry?
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- The front door was broke.- Yeah.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- The back door was broke.- Yeah.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46So I've had to do all that, like, to keep it secure.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48And that's how they took the boiler and the radiator away?
0:17:48 > 0:17:50That's how they came through this way, yeah.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53But you didn't feel like you could contact the police
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- about any of this stuff? - I felt threatened if I did
0:17:55 > 0:17:57cos of people in the area, know what I mean?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00It's difficult for the landlord, then, maybe to believe you
0:18:00 > 0:18:03if there's not a police report or something.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05I know that, yeah, yeah.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07But the people in the area, I haven't phoned the police on them,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09know what I mean?
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Something could come back on me and I'd rather just keep away from it.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Just move.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16So, it sounds like Mark knows who wrecked the flat
0:18:16 > 0:18:19but was worried that reporting it could put him in danger.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's a difficult situation, to say the least.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Obviously, at the moment you can't stay there.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26No, I ain't staying in there, no.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Presumably, I don't know, with your mate?
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I don't know if that's a long term thing, or...?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Until I get myself a flat, like, get myself sorted somewhere.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- I'm trying to look for a flat, so... - Yeah.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I don't want to live in this flat anyway, so...
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- It's just not good. - No.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44'I'm not sure whether we'll ever get to the bottom of what's
0:18:44 > 0:18:47'really been happening here and, as housing officers, well,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49'it's not really our job.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51'No landlord wants nightmare tenants.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54'It's probably a good idea to keep a closer eye on a property
0:18:54 > 0:18:57'and deal with any issues before they get out of hand.'
0:18:57 > 0:19:01In the immediate, what's the action that we're going to take here?
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Well, basically, I'll go back and I'll discuss it with my senior
0:19:05 > 0:19:10and see whether we can put a prohibition order on this property.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Try and get some assistance from housing options
0:19:13 > 0:19:16to rehouse the gentleman in question.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Because, like you said, it's just a health risk.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Nobody can live in a condition as we've seen today.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27So that's the immediate call of action that I'll be taking.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30The landlord has been in touch and told us that,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34after several unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38he had no choice but to serve tenant Mark with an eviction order.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42He also says that the flat was in a reasonable condition
0:19:42 > 0:19:43before Mark moved in.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47He's now being rehoused and the landlord is busy renovating
0:19:47 > 0:19:50the flat to get it back into a habitable state.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Oh, and he's cleared all the rubbish from the back yard
0:19:53 > 0:19:57so, hopefully, there'll be no more unwelcome visitors.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Defending our right to a safe place to live
0:20:03 > 0:20:06is the job of housing officers right across the UK...
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Sorry to get off the subject, but look at this!
0:20:09 > 0:20:12'..and in this series I'll be working alongside
0:20:12 > 0:20:14'those men and women that do just that.'
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Don't leave any food for cockroaches on the table.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- Ah, so clearly they've got a pest problem here, as well.- Yeah.'
0:20:19 > 0:20:22People do die in properties like this.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23'I'm hitting the streets.'
0:20:25 > 0:20:27We've upgraded to the copper-knock.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29'I'm learning on the job.'
0:20:29 > 0:20:31What the hell is that? It's a right old mess in there, isn't it?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I'll be finding out what it takes to make sure that
0:20:34 > 0:20:37everyone's house is fit to be called a home.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40He's constructing a vast castle.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43You know, the enforcement that you're talking about means
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- men coming in with hammers?- Yeah.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Clacton-on-Sea in Essex has been a favoured seaside destination
0:20:55 > 0:20:59for day trippers and holiday makers for many years.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02At its most popular, during the '60s and '70s, tourists would
0:21:02 > 0:21:05flock to the resort for its sandy beaches, family entertainment
0:21:05 > 0:21:07and bustling night life.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Today, Clacton still has lots to offer,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14but there are fewer tourists and then less money
0:21:14 > 0:21:15coming in to the area,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18so it's former glory is a little bit faded.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26Two people who know the patch well are housing officers Grant and Ian.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30They've been called out by the tenants of neighbouring properties
0:21:30 > 0:21:32who not only share the same landlord
0:21:32 > 0:21:35but are both experiencing similar problems with their homes.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39There's a history of complaints with these properties
0:21:39 > 0:21:41over the last 10, 12 years.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45The first stop of the day is to a family home
0:21:45 > 0:21:49rented by Kelly Mills, Brian Noble and their young children.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- Have you been here very long? - Since March.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58What, this year? Right, OK.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01They want Ian and Grant to assess a number of issues at their home.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05One of the biggest concerns is the amount of visible damp.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Very high, Ian.- Need to have a look outside, as well.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12And we've also got mould upstairs.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Walls are cracking, the bathroom...
0:22:14 > 0:22:16If you look at the front door,
0:22:16 > 0:22:20down the side is all split where he's done the lock and that.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Oh, right, yeah. - Missing screws and everything.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Huge great gap there. I don't know if it's been jemmied before but...
0:22:27 > 0:22:28In the nine months they've lived here,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32Kelly and Brian have also struggled to get hot water from the boiler.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36If we want to have a bath, we turn the...
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Turn it for the water.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- It only runs a little bit.- Right, OK.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44So, basically, we have to use a shower to actually fill the bath up.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46You've got a mains electric shower.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51All right, let's have a look at the boiler.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- Do you have a certificate for the boiler?- No.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Has anybody been to check it in the last year?- No.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59That's why the hot water's not very hot.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02The knob's missing off the front here, it was right down on minimum.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06So let's see if we can get some hot water out of it now.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- I can see the steam coming off. - Yeah.- Yeah, that'll do.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Right, we've got the hot water sorted.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12We need a new knob on there, though.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15If only all problems were this easy to fix.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Does your extract fan work?
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- I don't know. I've never heard it. - So does the window open?- No.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24The kitchen ones don't open, that's what we've had a problem with.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- Oh, this isn't good.- What neither of them open?- No, neither of them.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- Well, that's painted shut, then, I would have thought.- Yeah.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Yeah, that's painted shut, that one.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36And the issues continue, with a crumbling wall in the back garden.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39We'll show you the garden where the kids come back to play.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- Right, yeah. - It's bowing, as well.- Yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50And when you touch it there you can feel, like, it moving.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Yeah, that's not looking good at all, is it?
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Careful. This could end up seriously hurting someone here.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00It's seriously dangerous, isn't it?
0:24:00 > 0:24:05With safety always being the top priority, Grant takes a closer look.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Crikey! Whose rubbish is this over the back?
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Sorry to get off the subject, but look at this!
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Unbelievably, it seems that a section of the garden
0:24:15 > 0:24:19has been fenced off and is now being used as a dumping ground.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22It's horrendous. I mean there's shopping trolleys,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25hardcore, fence panels, all sorts there.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28What's happened, Grant, apparently, is when nine moved out
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and seven moved out, they were cleaned out and they were just
0:24:31 > 0:24:32chucking the rubbish over here.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Is this for use for all of the properties?
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Yeah, it was supposed to be. - So, like, a little garden area?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40He was supposed to be opening the gardens up to make
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- the gardens look bigger.- Yeah.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- The smell. Have you smelled it? - No, I mean...
0:24:45 > 0:24:46HE SIGHS
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Kids can't come out to play.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51There's nowhere for the kids to play.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- We've got a nappy in the tree there, look.- Yeah.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- Better check the bins there, as well.- Rats, isn't it?
0:24:57 > 0:25:02- Have you noticed any rats about? - I know my neighbour has.- Right, OK.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05This quantity of rubbish poses a serious health hazard
0:25:05 > 0:25:06to anyone who lives here.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08We need to deal with this urgently.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13What started off for Ian and Grant as a routine inspection
0:25:13 > 0:25:17has now escalated into something that needs immediate action.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21OK, well, I made some notes. We know what's going on here.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Basically, there's quite a few things we're going to
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- require your landlord to do. - Right, OK.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Not least of which, to clear all that stuff from the back.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32But there are other things here, as well.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35I mean, your windows in particular, you need to be able to ventilate.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37We need to see a gas safety certificate.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- So, what we do is we write a letter to your landlord.- Right.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43It will basically set out what we want him to do.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46We'll send a letter to you with a copy of what we're
0:25:46 > 0:25:47- asking your landlord to do.- OK.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49- OK, we'll be in touch.- Thank you.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- OK, no problems. Thanks a lot, and see you soon.- Thank you.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Coming up, Ian and Grant meet the tenants next door.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01It's all wet under there.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03God, it's running.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07And they discover a botched attempt to fix a bedroom window.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- That's a real neat bit of putty work there.- Is it?
0:26:09 > 0:26:11It's like it's been done with a catapult.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13- Right, let's go and have a look.- Please.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Britain is getting older.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24There are more than 11 million people over 65 in this country,
0:26:24 > 0:26:29and over 600,000 of them live in council-run sheltered accommodation.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I'm in Stevenage to visit a scheme where housing officer
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Valerie Chalkley keeps a watchful eye over her residents.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40- Hello, Val. I'm Matt. - Hi, Matt, I'm Valerie.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41Nice to meet you, how are you?
0:26:41 > 0:26:44I'm the sheltered housing officer for Shaftesbury Court.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- Oh, marvellous, that's why we're here.- Absolutely.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- I understand you've got a resident you'd like me to meet? - I have, Miss June Moring.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- Second floor?- Yep, lovely. - Let's go.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Sheltered housing schemes normally comprise of anything between 20
0:26:55 > 0:26:58and 40 self-contained flats or bungalows
0:26:58 > 0:27:01and they have communal areas such as lounges and laundry rooms.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05This scheme in Stevenage has been June's home for over 11 years.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07But recent battles with damp in her flat
0:27:07 > 0:27:10have been causing her some major headaches.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Since they put the new shower in and put all the new pipe work in
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I've got nothing but dampness.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I'm not very happy about it.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21It's stressful.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24As a trainee housing officer,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27I've come to see what we can do about June's problem.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29This is the lounge piece.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Lovely. So, this is a studio flat? - Studio flat.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- So, you've got this room... - And the bedroom through there.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Oh, look at that. It's very cosy here, isn't it?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42And would you like to see the kitchen?
0:27:42 > 0:27:44I would like to see the kitchen.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Do you know what? It's very bright and light and clean.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49It's fantastic, isn't it?
0:27:49 > 0:27:51'Well, Matt, it may be sparkling on the surface
0:27:51 > 0:27:54'but there's a hidden enemy lurking in this flat.'
0:27:54 > 0:27:59- I've got problems here with the dampness at the moment.- Yeah.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- So, this is the area where there's problems?- Yes.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07- So, they've come out in the last two days, really?- Yes.- To sort it out.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- That's right.- They pulled the fridge out, scrape it away, redecorate...
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- Yes.- ..and it's already back again. - It's back again.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17- So what's that all about, then?- We don't know, we've got to investigate.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22I've had all the shower ripped out, and they found a leak there,
0:28:22 > 0:28:26but that's been repaired and everything's going away properly.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28It's clear that the disruption caused by the damp
0:28:28 > 0:28:31is putting a bit of a strain on June.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35They've had all this off, the tiles and the shower off,
0:28:35 > 0:28:39- and they can't find no leak behind there at all.- Right.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43- Are you worried about having them in to do more work?- Em, I do...
0:28:43 > 0:28:48- It's a terrible mess afterwards and I'm quite a clean person.- I can tell.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50I can tell that. But there's having it clean,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53and then there's having it clean to your own standards.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55- They're two different things, aren't they?- Yes.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58'And the damp has started to creep out of the bathroom
0:28:58 > 0:29:00'and into the hall.'
0:29:00 > 0:29:03It's lifting the paper off, isn't it?
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- And it's going out to the hallway now, as well.- Yeah.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10- That's the thing, cos your flat is so perfect...- Yeah.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12..that any little thing,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- you're going to notice it straight away.- Yes.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17'But for council tenants in sheltered accommodation,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19'help is always at hand.'
0:29:19 > 0:29:23What I do, I report to Val, the warden, she gets in touch
0:29:23 > 0:29:28with the contractors, and then they come to see me.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- They do that quite quickly?- Quite quickly, yes.- That's good news.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34'I've made my assessment, so it's time for a debrief with Val.'
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- How did it go? - Yeah, really, really good.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- This is a big responsibility, this place, isn't it?- Very, yeah.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43I mean, not only have you got the people that are here,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45but the building itself, it seems...
0:29:45 > 0:29:47It's maintainable, as well.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49So, if any repairs or anything like that,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52I have to make sure the repairs are done.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55So I've got all the repairs, the ambulance calls
0:29:55 > 0:29:57if anybody falls or anything like that,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00medical conditions, things like that. It's a big responsibility.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02- How many residents?- I've got 48.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04She's a lovely lady, June,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07but it feels like one of those jobs that's going to take...
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- It's not going to take one visit. - No, no.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14It's been decorated three times and, because it's continuous,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16something must be there for him to do it. But we can't understand
0:30:16 > 0:30:19where the leak is coming from. It's not coming from above,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22it's only starting halfway down, but it's not going down below.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24- Right.- Because I've checked the tenant down below.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Here's the thing, though, Val -
0:30:26 > 0:30:28if you're here talking to me who's looking after the block?
0:30:28 > 0:30:33- Ah, got my telephone.- So, you're never off duty.- Never off duty, no.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- If they pull the cord, I'm there. - Yep, that's it.- That comes through.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- It was lovely meeting you.- You too. - Take care.- Thank you.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43Coming up, the situation in June's flat is worse than expected.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Soaking, absolutely soaking.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Back in Clacton-on-Sea, housing officers Ian Kavanagh
0:30:59 > 0:31:02and Grant Fenton-Jones were inspecting two neighbouring
0:31:02 > 0:31:05properties when they made a shocking discovery.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Crikey! Whose rubbish is this over the back? Look at this!
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Right we need to deal with this urgently.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15They're now on the way to meet mum of two Tracey Hunnel,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17who lives next door.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Hiya, from the council. We've come to see you. Thank you very much.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28You've got a window there that's really rotten, haven't you?
0:31:28 > 0:31:32If you look here, look, there's a big draught coming through there.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34BABY CRIES
0:31:34 > 0:31:35I should think there is.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38The glass is loose, as well, Ian. Yep, OK, lovely.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- Thank you very much.- If you go into the kitchen...- Right, OK.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44House-proud Tracey has lived in the property for just under a year.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47I've complained to the landlord on a number of occasions
0:31:47 > 0:31:50about the issues in the property, and it's just so cold in here.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53The children have to come down in blankets.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56My daughters have had chest infections after chest infections.
0:31:56 > 0:31:57It's just a nightmare.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00This leaks here, where all the water runs down.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Yep, yep.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05And all under here is all rotting. It's all wet under there.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09- It's all damp as hell under here, Ian.- That's what I said.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11God, it's running.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13It's disgusting and it's so cold in here.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16I put £75 on my gas.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19in one week.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Got a water leak on a flexi-hose under here, Ian.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25A plastic tee, as well, here.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- Have you got a certificate for this?- No, I've got nothing.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- How long have you been here? - I've been here nine months.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Is your hot water and heating working all right?
0:32:33 > 0:32:34It's not a lot of heat.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36- No, but the rads get hot? - Yeah, the rads get hot.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- Some of them do, some of them don't. - What about your hot water?
0:32:39 > 0:32:41- Some of them don't, that's the key.- The hot water's OK.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43Right, that's what I wanted to know,
0:32:43 > 0:32:45whether the heating actually gets cold.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- If you show us which ones don't... - That's what I will do.- Right, OK.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- Can we just have a look out the back here?- Yeah, of course you can.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53- Is that all right? - Yeah, door's open.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57Tracey's also worried about a window to one of the children's
0:32:57 > 0:33:00bedrooms that's definitely seen better days.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Nice bit of putty work, look at that.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04That is a real neat bit of putty work there.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Looks like it's been done with a catapult.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09It was yeah, I reckon they just, like...
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- Sorry?- Can't open the windows.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14That does surprise me, you can't open that window.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18It's not UPVC, it's not timber-framed windows we've got here.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- It's putty-framed windows. - Single glazed putty window.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Single glazed putty windows!
0:33:22 > 0:33:24Right, let's go and have a look at these.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30- This is where all the heat's going. - They're shocking, ain't they?- Yep.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33- That's been painted shut. - And we have to live here.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35I reckon you did this, Ian, didn't you?
0:33:35 > 0:33:36It's got all the hallmarks of your work.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38THEY LAUGH
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- Actually, they've done a better job than I would have done.- Yeah.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44And the problems keep on coming.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Cor blimey, feel the floor, Ian.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49If you had a few drinks you'd know about it, wouldn't you?
0:33:49 > 0:33:50There's a hole there.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Oh, right. Are you actually getting rain water through?
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- Yeah, we get rain water through there.- Right.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Cos those windows are rotting.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Right. It does open, but it doesn't...
0:34:00 > 0:34:03- Sort of.- Just be careful you don't kill anyone outside.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Sort of holds up.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08There's a little bit of rot in that one.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10My kids' one, in the back bedroom, you cannot open at all.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13It's not good for these kids. No. We'll do something.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16We'll get him to have a look at it, won't we?
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Despite all the problems, Grant and Ian have a plan.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- What we'll do is we'll get a letter out to your landlord.- Right.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26We're going to require him to do some work. There's less work required here
0:34:26 > 0:34:27- than there is next door.- Right.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30One of the main things we want to get sorted out
0:34:30 > 0:34:32is all that rubbish in the back garden.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- It's disgusting isn't it? - Shocking, ain't it?
0:34:34 > 0:34:36It's all rats in there and everything.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39- You've actually seen rats, have you? - Yeah we have, yeah.- Right, OK.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43OK, That's one of the main things we need to get sorted out as well.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- OK then.- I'll write a letter to your landlord, I'll send a copy of what
0:34:46 > 0:34:49- I've asked him to do to you, as well.- OK.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53- Thank you. Thanks for coming. - Thank you very much.- Yep, cheerio.
0:34:53 > 0:34:54Say goodbye to the doggy.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56Cheerio, mate. Good boy.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58- See you later on.- Thank you.
0:34:58 > 0:34:59- OK, cheers.- Thanks a lot.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Both families will need help from the council to put pressure
0:35:03 > 0:35:05on their landlord to sort out the problems.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08But the serious health hazard in the back gardens
0:35:08 > 0:35:11is Grant's first priority.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14My main concern at the moment is to get this rubbish cleared.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17We'll serve a notice. If it's not complied with, we'll do it.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Then we'll obviously go after the money as a debt to the landlord.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23The landlord owns all the properties along there
0:35:23 > 0:35:27so he's got the responsibility to clear all of that rubbish.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Just a few weeks later and things have changed beyond recognition.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41It's taken Grant and Ian's clean-up team the best part of a day
0:35:41 > 0:35:44to clear all the rubbish and hazardous waste from the rear garden.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47And now they're back to check on the progress.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Cor blimey, you've been busy.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Crikey, what a difference.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54And the trampoline's gone, and the swing.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56And all the brick rubble. Blimey.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59- Any vermin or anything? - No, none at all.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03- Can we get them bikes out, do you reckon, or not?- I'll have a go.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05- Just the two bikes.- I was going to say, it's a bit iffy.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08I know that's a bit iffy but if we can get rid of them
0:36:08 > 0:36:10that would be brilliant.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11Lovely, wahey!
0:36:11 > 0:36:14There you are, Ian. New bike for you, mate, look.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15I reckon you can restore that.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18That'll do. Smashing.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Crikey.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Look at that over there, they've even done the...
0:36:22 > 0:36:24- They've even got rid of the dog's mess.- I know.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Everything's gone. You've left a nappy, look.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30I've got David Bellamy coming to look at these new nappy trees.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31They're good, aren't they?
0:36:31 > 0:36:36- You'd have thought they'd have got that down, wouldn't you?- Yeah.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Way!
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Wahey!
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Cheers, chaps. Well done.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44- No worries.- Have a chocolate lolly. - Yeah.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47We had quite a result, really,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50cos the actual landlord who owns these properties,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52he lives quite a way away.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56So he was unaware of how bad it's got and that his managing agent
0:36:56 > 0:36:59hadn't made him aware and certainly hadn't sorted it out.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02So we gave him a price to do it and we done it,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05so we'll claim the money back.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07For the tenants, the council clean up now means
0:37:07 > 0:37:10the gardens are a much safer place.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13I'm just really happy that they've managed to come out and do it now.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16I mean, the kids can now really come out and start to play
0:37:16 > 0:37:18and make it their own garden again.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21And now Grant's been in direct contact with the landlord,
0:37:21 > 0:37:25he's confident the other problems inside the properties will be
0:37:25 > 0:37:26dealt with quickly.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30We've served schedules of work on the landlord and he's in the process
0:37:30 > 0:37:34of doing the work, so they've got a slightly longer timeframe on them
0:37:34 > 0:37:36than the rubbish because, obviously, the possibility of vermin.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39So, this was urgent, so we had to get this done.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42So, all in all, good result, really.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49In Stevenage, council tenant June Moring's been battling
0:37:49 > 0:37:54with an ongoing problem with damp in her sheltered accommodation flat.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56I'm not very happy about it.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58It's stressful.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00But June's housing officers are on the case
0:38:00 > 0:38:04and they've assigned site manager Jim Crowley and project manager
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Richard Crook to sort out the problem once and for all.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11What we'll do is I'll get a couple of the lads here tomorrow
0:38:11 > 0:38:14and we'll spend some time in the corridor checking that out,
0:38:14 > 0:38:15looking in the floor there.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19So, we'll have a look in there and see if we can find a reason
0:38:19 > 0:38:21for this intermittent damp.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- Obviously, the leak from the shower is not the problem any more.- No.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28- There's another inherent problem there. OK?- Yes.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Talking to Richard, it's reassuring for me to learn first hand
0:38:32 > 0:38:35just how well looked after some elderly people are.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37No wonder there are long waiting lists
0:38:37 > 0:38:39for this type of accommodation.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- This is people's homes. - Yeah, yeah.- And it matters.
0:38:42 > 0:38:48Especially for the elder residents that are in the borough.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51We have to give them the attention that they need.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- They can phone us any time of the day if there's a problem.- Yeah.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- We provide that service for the council.- Great stuff.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03The following day, housing officer Mandy Minto visits June's flat
0:39:03 > 0:39:07with site manager Jim to talk her through exactly what works
0:39:07 > 0:39:08are going to be carried out.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- Hi, June.- Morning, June.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14We're going to take the vinyl floor up and see if there's any damp
0:39:14 > 0:39:16underneath it, and then we'll take it from there.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20Because there's existing pipe work as well as new pipe work we put in,
0:39:20 > 0:39:21it is very difficult.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25But once we find it we can cure it, and that's all we need to do.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Part of the exploratory work will involve taking up some flooring.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32There is the possibility that there is something going on underneath
0:39:32 > 0:39:34that hasn't been seen that we need to sort of look at,
0:39:34 > 0:39:38so we're hoping that will show where it's coming from
0:39:38 > 0:39:40and be fairly straightforward to rectify.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43An end to this nightmare can't come too soon for June.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46It's really a pain because I'm fed up with it now.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50They've had the bathroom out, they've had the shower out,
0:39:50 > 0:39:52they've had the toilet out.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55I hope when they come back on Tuesday
0:39:55 > 0:39:59and pull the floor up they can solve the problem.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Because, if not, this is going to keep going on and on and on.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06When Tuesday rolls around Jim's on June's doorstep
0:40:06 > 0:40:09bright and early, keen to detect the cause of the damp.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11What we're going to do this morning, June,
0:40:11 > 0:40:13- we're going to protect the carpet out here.- Thank you.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16And then we're going to take up the vinyl in the bathroom,
0:40:16 > 0:40:19see what's underneath, run the shower to see
0:40:19 > 0:40:23if anything's coming still from the shower and then we'll assess it then.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Depending on what we find, I'll tell you what we're going to do afterwards.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- One way or the other, we'll leave you safe and tidy today.- Yeah.- OK?
0:40:29 > 0:40:33And it's all systems go, with extra care taken to protect house-proud
0:40:33 > 0:40:36June's flat from further damage.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39We're going to hope when they take the flooring up
0:40:39 > 0:40:43it's going to be wet through and we've solved the problem.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48And, within half an hour, June's bathroom floor is ripped up
0:40:48 > 0:40:51revealing the cause of the problem.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- What have we got there then? - I'm all wrapped up this morning.
0:40:55 > 0:40:56It's soaking.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59There you go, it's soaking.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01What we do have on site,
0:41:01 > 0:41:05we have a guest room that the residents can use.
0:41:05 > 0:41:06Obviously, it's just to stay in.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10So, I think I'll discuss it with June
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and ask June if she's prepared to go up to the guest room
0:41:13 > 0:41:16for a few days, and we'll take this tray out.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Cos this is absolutely soaking.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22It might be an original pipe that we didn't know under there.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Until we take that out we don't know.- Yeah.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- But at least we're on the right track now.- Thank God for that.- Yeah.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Right before her eyes, June's pristine bathroom
0:41:33 > 0:41:36is being pulled apart to get to the source of the damp.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40It smells.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Very mouldy and damp.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52We found a leak on an existing pipe here, so we're going to repair that.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57We're going to dry this bathroom out with a dehumidifier and heaters.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01We're going to take all of the tiles off the wall and replace everything.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03After ten months of chaos,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05there's finally light at the end of the tunnel.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08I'm much happier now they've found the leak.
0:42:08 > 0:42:13This is the third time that they're rigging the bathroom out.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16I do hope that they leave it nice and clean,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19the same way as they found it this morning.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22I'm going to put these in here then we'll get the dehumidifier as well.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29So that you can't trip over it.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36That's it there. I've taped that up. Just please be careful when you walk
0:42:36 > 0:42:39in and out where we've put the cable across from the wall socket.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42- I will, yeah.- Thanks for your time. - That's all right.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45It's another victory for the housing officers
0:42:45 > 0:42:48and staff at this enterprising sheltered housing scheme.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50June's very happy that we've found the problem.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Obviously, not with the disruption, but she's happy
0:42:53 > 0:42:56we've found the problem and we're going to put it all right.
0:42:58 > 0:42:59That's it for today's show.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03Join me next time when I'll be finding out more about what it takes
0:43:03 > 0:43:05to become a front line housing officer.