0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's difficult to imagine calling this a home.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Everyone deserves a safe place to live...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08So that's a dead rat.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11..but with rents rising and demand increasing,
0:00:11 > 0:00:16it's getting harder and harder to find a secure place to call home.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19You can actually see the floorboards of the bathroom there.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- There's clear evidence here... - Someone's living down here.- Yeah.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25I'm Matt Allwright and I'm back with The Housing Enforcers.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Someone nicked your wheelchair.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28I'm on the front line
0:00:28 > 0:00:31with those fighting for the right to decent housing...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33The amount of mould is quite shocking.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36The happiest residents of this property are the rats.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39..as local councils and housing associations battle problem
0:00:39 > 0:00:41properties in slum conditions...
0:00:41 > 0:00:45It's a scene of Dickensian misery.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47It absolutely pen and inks.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49..as they deal with dodgy landlords...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- SHOUTING - What's that?
0:00:51 > 0:00:52..nightmare neighbours...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55All hell broke loose and I could hear somebody screaming.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Get rid of him.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58..and everything in-between...
0:00:58 > 0:01:01I feel like we are close to the bottom of the housing ladder here.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05..to help those in need of a happy and healthy home.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09If there's something strange in the neighbourhood, who you gonna call?
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Today, we catch up with an old friend who's in danger of
0:01:19 > 0:01:21falling back on hard times.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Obviously the Fire Service turned up, didn't they?
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- There was no need for them.- What happened the other Saturday, then?
0:01:27 > 0:01:32- Nothing happened.- Well, you were lying on the floor with the dog.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37- You were lying on the floor with the dog.- I was not, not on your life.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40In Havering, housing officers investigate the aftermath of
0:01:40 > 0:01:42a garden blaze.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46There was a shed here, look. There's the base for it. Oh, dear.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51I get suited and booted in Stroud.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55A few more I've seen straightaway that were jumping around,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58one that missed Matt's leg as he was going up the stairwell.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00- Fleas working their way up the stairs.- Fleas, yeah.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06And a tenant's DIY yellow lines causes neighbours to see red.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09I'm waiting for someone to move in that has got a car that wants
0:02:09 > 0:02:12a garage so they can park it there because I'll gladly give it to them
0:02:12 > 0:02:15just to wind him up more than anything.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22It used to be so straightforward.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25You leave education, you get yourself a job
0:02:25 > 0:02:29and then settle down once you've found a house or flat.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33And even though a happily ever after wasn't guaranteed, you could
0:02:33 > 0:02:37usually depend on getting an affordable and safe place to live.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Well, it's no secret that, thanks to the housing crisis,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42today things are a bit more complicated.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46But there are men and women across the UK whose job it is to ensure
0:02:46 > 0:02:50that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a safe roof over their heads.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Every day, they're out fighting for your rights.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55They are The Housing Enforcers.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Today, I'm in Babergh in Suffolk
0:03:02 > 0:03:04spending the day with housing officer Ian Watson
0:03:04 > 0:03:06who needs to pay a visit
0:03:06 > 0:03:08to a tenant we've had dealings with before.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- Hi, Ian.- Oh, hi, Matt. How are you? - I'm all right.- Good.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17So we're going to pop and see an old friend today, is that right?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Yep. Ali Howe.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Last year, we came to the village of Lavenham
0:03:22 > 0:03:24to visit council tenant Ali Howe...
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- I'm doing the best I can.- Yeah.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29I want to be left alone, I do.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30..after worrying reports
0:03:30 > 0:03:33from other residents about the condition of his flat.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35What we found was shocking.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Pork chop.
0:03:38 > 0:03:39INDISTINCT
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Another ten minutes, that'll be done.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48Ali, I mean, look. Look at the state of your bathroom again.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50I can't be here and everywhere.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54The place was in an appalling state and the smell was overwhelming.
0:03:56 > 0:04:03We are looking at dog muck, aren't we, on almost every ground surface?
0:04:03 > 0:04:07For the sake of the property, Ali, and his long-suffering neighbours,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Ian arranged a colossal clean-up operation.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Good old boy.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Dog muck around the washing machine and inside.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19I've just had to wipe it all out.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22After some seriously hard graft, the flat was sparkling.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Wow, what a difference.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29But now Ian's worried, as there have been reports that Ali's flat
0:04:29 > 0:04:31has fallen back into disrepair.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36We've cleaned that property twice in the last three years
0:04:36 > 0:04:39at a total cost of about £4,000.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I've already said to him, we, the council,
0:04:42 > 0:04:43are not paying for another clear-up.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49You know, you must be struggling to know what to do next really.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Well, eviction is sort of like the end outcome of that.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56He just doesn't seem to realise how he's keeping the property
0:04:56 > 0:04:58is affecting the neighbours.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Shall we go and have a look? - Yeah.- Let's do it.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02It's probably a good thing.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05We won't know anything until we get to the flat and see for ourselves.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08But if it has fallen back into disrepair, it raises the question
0:05:08 > 0:05:12of whether Ali is capable of living independently.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Whilst he hasn't been threatened with eviction yet,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Ian will have to consider the impact Ali's bad habits might still
0:05:18 > 0:05:22be having on the other tenants in the block.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Seems like we are faced, or you're faced, with some pretty stark
0:05:26 > 0:05:30choices really at this stage because you've got to listen
0:05:30 > 0:05:32to the other residents as well, haven't you?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Yes, it's not fair on those.
0:05:34 > 0:05:41- I mean, at 87, it's very hard to adopt new habits, isn't it?- Yes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44You've got to think that you've pretty much worked out who
0:05:44 > 0:05:48you are and how you are going to live your life when you get to 87.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Yeah, and he's lived it well. He's certainly survived.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Let's go and see whether he's there.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02Ali?
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Last time I was here, the smell coming from the flat was really bad.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Ali?
0:06:08 > 0:06:11And today, it's feeling worryingly familiar.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Yeah, I know the smell's not so good.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- I don't reckon he's here at the moment.- Shall we wait?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Shall we go and scout and see if we can find him?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24We won't know how bad things are until we get inside though.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Ali's proving somewhat elusive today.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Just when we're about to call it a day...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Ali makes his grand entrance.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Lorry drivers.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Hello, Ali.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44How are you? I'm with Matt today.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47We want to come back and see how you were getting on.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Are you happy for us to go in? - Huh?- Happy for us to go in?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- I reckon so, yes.- All right.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Well, you get round and we'll go and have a look.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I really hope it's not in the same state as before...
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Been and done your shopping?
0:07:01 > 0:07:05..or Ian may have no option but to consider evicting him.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Well, Ali, I'm pleasantly surprised.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13It's a lot better than what it was cos you know what the situation was.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17It's a huge relief. First impressions aren't bad at all.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- Are you trying to keep the place a bit cleaner?- Huh?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Are you trying to keep the place a bit cleaner?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Are you worried about it?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33You're just getting on with it. All right.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36It definitely doesn't look or smell anywhere near as bad
0:07:36 > 0:07:39as my last visit, and Ali's even looking quite dapper himself.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Are you getting help with the flat? - Yes.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Somebody's coming in regularly for you?
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- You're paying her to come in and sort you out?- Yeah.- That's good.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- That is good.- Is it all right if we have a look at the rest of the flat?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Yeah, go on.- Here we go.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Now he's got help cleaning up his act and it seems to be paying off.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04A year ago, the flat was in a really terrible state.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The kitchen was covered in mould, rubbish and grime.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Now, admittedly, it's not exactly spotless, but it is all relative.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Although the flat certainly isn't going to win
0:08:19 > 0:08:21any Good Housekeeping awards,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24thankfully it's much, much better than before.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Ali, when I came to see you last time,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29it was much worse than this, wasn't it?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Yes.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32But before we head off,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35it seems Ali wants a top-to-toe inspection from Ian too.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Oh, crikey.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40That looks bad.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Giving you trouble, Ali?
0:08:42 > 0:08:43I'll bet.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45When did you last see the doctor?
0:08:46 > 0:08:48You're waiting to hear from the hospital.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Can you phone them up?
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Perhaps I can make a few phone calls later.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57All right, then, Ali. I'll come and see you in a couple of weeks.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- So Ian, that is much better than maybe we were expecting.- Far better.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03It's not the Ritz, let's face facts,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06but it's certainly better than when I last saw it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- Actually a big improvement. - Clear floors.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15There's not as much evidence of the dog, it's not as overwhelming,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18the smell was overwhelming last time we were there.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20I'm really pleasantly surprised.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I don't quite understand how you, as a housing officer,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25get responsibility for his big toe.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28He's obviously struggling a bit there.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Look, I try and help out where I can.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36- So, status at the moment is relatively positive?- Yes.- Yes.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Really pleased.- Good stuff.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41It's a good result. The visit's
0:09:41 > 0:09:44gone some way to allaying Ian's concerns about the flat
0:09:44 > 0:09:47and, more importantly, Ali's ability to look after himself.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50All he can do for now is keep a close eye on the situation.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59So there's Ali over a year later, still here and living in
0:09:59 > 0:10:03slightly better conditions than he has been recently.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Whenever I come here, I'm always really torn, you know,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09there's two ways to look at this, you can say, "Here's a guy that
0:10:09 > 0:10:12"clearly makes life for his neighbours very difficult,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14"he's a nuisance, his flat smells,
0:10:14 > 0:10:20"he's got a dog that... is evident everywhere."
0:10:21 > 0:10:24There's that side, you know - should be sanctioned,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27should be kicked out. You can start thinking down that road.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32Or you can look at Ali as about the healthiest 87-year-old I think I've
0:10:32 > 0:10:38ever seen and just an incredibly resilient character, you know.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42And that's another way to look at it. You can take your pick.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46It's been lovely to see you again.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Lovely to see you too.- Cheers, Ali.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53But later, Ali's situation takes a turn for the worse.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Unfortunately, Ali had a fire.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Residents were reporting there was a load of smoke,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00somebody called the Fire Service.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Obviously the Fire Service turned up, didn't they?
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- There was no need for them. - Your doors were locked.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- The door was never locked. Get your- BLEEP- facts right.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Here in the UK, we don't need too much of an excuse to take
0:11:19 > 0:11:23advantage of those rare occasions when the sun shines.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26For those lucky enough to have a garden, throwing on a pair of
0:11:26 > 0:11:29shorts and firing up the barbecue is one of life's great pleasures.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34But if the barbie gets out of hand,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37it's not a lot of fun for the neighbours.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39That's where Liam and Gael come in.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46They're part of Havering Council's community warden team.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49They've had complaints about an impromptu party at one of
0:11:49 > 0:11:50the houses they look after.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55This is one of the HMO properties we normally visit once a month.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57We don't normally have any problems.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59But over the weekend, they had a barbecue, the barbecue got out
0:11:59 > 0:12:03of control so we are going to have a look and see what the damage is.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08The property is a house of multiple occupation or an HMO, meaning
0:12:08 > 0:12:13it's not a family home but occupied by a number of individual tenants.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16No-one seems to be at home at the moment or maybe they're hiding,
0:12:16 > 0:12:20given the fire damage Liam and Gael find out the back.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- This is the barbecue.- That's the barbecue it must have started from.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Somehow it's set... I don't know what they had here.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Look at that fence panel there.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31No, but look, the door's there, what was here?
0:12:31 > 0:12:37There was a shed here, look, there's the base for it. Oh, dear.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38Oh, dear, indeed.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Especially if you are unlucky enough to live next door.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Neighbour's garden. Took down half of that garden.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Took down the fence to that garden. That garden.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- So that's four properties.- Yes. That's burnt in there, look.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57- That's burnt bad as well. Oh, dear.- There's a mattress.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00So there must have been stuff in there that was highly flammable.
0:13:00 > 0:13:07- I can see three, four doors. Absolutely shocking.- Shocking.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10The barbecue's there. How did it set fire to there?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12If you're cooking a burger, I can't see how you're going
0:13:12 > 0:13:14to set something on fire from there to here.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17It's a good question and potentially a worrying answer too.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- Nitrous oxide.- That's nitrous oxide, that's laughing gas.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Suck it in and it gives them a short-term high
0:13:26 > 0:13:29for a matter of seconds.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30And, as you may see,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33there's a barbecue and there's a bottle of Bell's whisky.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37It's a potent set of ingredients that may have set this
0:13:37 > 0:13:41barbecue off in a very bad and expensive direction.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45As you can see, they must have been having a party.
0:13:45 > 0:13:53There's evidence of cans. Nitrous oxide, barbecue, fire equals damage.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55So, you know, they've not even tried to hide it,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58they've virtually just left the canisters on the floor, they've not
0:13:58 > 0:14:00even tried to clean it up, they've just gone about their business.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04They're not helping themselves here by doing this.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07I can see this costing a lot of money, replacing fences,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09neighbours' sheds.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10It's not actually our property,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13it's rented to us by a private landlord, then we rent it out
0:14:13 > 0:14:16and anything that happens to it from then is down to us to repair.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20So any damages, as in fires, things broken,
0:14:20 > 0:14:21comes down to the council to repair.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24The bill don't go to the actual landlord
0:14:24 > 0:14:26so all of this is down to us to fix.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I wouldn't imagine that the neighbours are very happy,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30that's even if they're home. They might be on holiday.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34They might come home and find half a fence gone.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36The Fire Brigade have been in and they've already done
0:14:36 > 0:14:40a check and said that it was, you know, done by the barbecue,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42so it's down to really the residents now so there's a good chance
0:14:42 > 0:14:46that people will be getting evicted in the future regarding this.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49For the residents of the property, the morning after the night
0:14:49 > 0:14:53of the party before is going to provide a very serious wake-up call.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56But for Liam and Gael, there's also the relief -
0:14:56 > 0:14:58it could have been much worse.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03We'll have to get a notice of seeking possession on
0:15:03 > 0:15:05whoever started the fire.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Obviously what they do is ask everybody,
0:15:07 > 0:15:12if they're all saying nobody's done it, they'll evict all of them,
0:15:12 > 0:15:17so somebody hopefully will own up to it and we can give them
0:15:17 > 0:15:21a notice of seeking possession for starting a fire.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26When Havering Council followed up on that visit,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30thankfully someone did own up to causing the damage.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33But it turns out the fire wasn't actually started by a barbecue.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37The guilty party had set fire to a sofa in the garden.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Unsurprisingly, it got out of hand, caused all that damage
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and the tenant in question is now facing eviction.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46There's definitely a lesson in there somewhere.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Housing officers work hard to ensure the properties they're
0:15:57 > 0:15:59responsible for are fit for purpose
0:15:59 > 0:16:03and don't contain any nasty surprises for the tenants.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07In Stroud, I'm working with housing officer Shane Reece,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10heading to a property which has recently been vacated.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11Well, nearly.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Apparently the property isn't in a really horrendous condition
0:16:18 > 0:16:21but it's certainly not had any work done there for a long time
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and there's been reports that there's quite a heavy flea
0:16:24 > 0:16:26infestation as well at the property.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27- Fleas?- Fleas, yes.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I'm feeling itchy already.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32The problem is, if they're not treated quickly,
0:16:32 > 0:16:37especially with heat and everything, they become prevalent quite quick,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40it could become quite a heavy infestation, sort of thing.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44So today obviously the intention is to get in there
0:16:44 > 0:16:47suited and booted for whoever needs to be accessing the property
0:16:47 > 0:16:49and then we can get in there as quickly as possible
0:16:49 > 0:16:51to get it re-let, sort of thing.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Suited and booted - I'm not sure I like the sound of that.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57It seems Shane is no stranger to fleas though.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Quite often, I come out of properties and I'm itching
0:17:00 > 0:17:03back in the car and I think, "Oh, no, I've brought one with me."
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- There has been instances where I've got home and found fleas.- Oh, no.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10So it's really worrying, and especially with kids.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- What does your missus think of that? - She was not happy in the slightest.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16I'm not surprised.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Most fleas in the home are associated with cats and dogs
0:17:19 > 0:17:23but they'll feed on all sorts of warm-blooded hosts, including us.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28So if there is an infestation,
0:17:28 > 0:17:33it needs to be dealt with before any other tenants set foot in the house.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34This is the property then, Shane,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38and I can see there's a cat box outside.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- Do we know what's happened to the occupant?- Yeah.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44From what I can tell and from the information I've been given,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48the previous occupant may well have gone into a nursing home, so
0:17:48 > 0:17:51I think she was perhaps struggling to cope with the property.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54As we are aware at the moment, there might still be
0:17:54 > 0:17:57a cat at the property, so what we need to make sure is,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00if we can tell that for definite, we can get that report through
0:18:00 > 0:18:03to our animal welfare section and they can try and deal with that in
0:18:03 > 0:18:06terms of, come and get the cat and make sure it's being looked after
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and everything else and try and contact the family or ex-tenants
0:18:09 > 0:18:11and see what the plans are with the cat as such cos
0:18:11 > 0:18:14we certainly wouldn't want it to be living on its own, sort of thing.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15No, I think it would struggle.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18I'm glad the cat's being looked out for,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21but we still need to deal with what it might have left behind.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Luckily, the council's crack flea team are already here.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Looks quite serious.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29It is quite serious, yes.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33I think the thing is with fleas, you can't really take any chances
0:18:33 > 0:18:37and if it's quite a bad infestation, they will get in every little nook
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and cranny, so we want to make sure we're basically fully suited up,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43there's not really any chance that they can get to skin and everything
0:18:43 > 0:18:47else and hopefully we'll be fully protecting themselves.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50As fleas are known for quite happily biting humans around the feet
0:18:50 > 0:18:55and ankles, a full body suit suddenly seems like a good idea.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58But to ensure any infestation is completely dealt with,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Liam has come armed and ready.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05What is inside there? What's the liquid that goes in there?
0:19:05 > 0:19:08It's just mainly water,
0:19:08 > 0:19:15so five parts water to a powder form poison that we use.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17And that gets the lot, does it, that does the job?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19That does the job, definitely.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Once it's in there, you don't want to be in the property
0:19:22 > 0:19:24they say for four hours minimum.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It's not nice to get it down into your lungs.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29I'm interested, why do you go for the full beard? Because that
0:19:29 > 0:19:33can trap, you can get things in there, you know.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34Given the job that you do...
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- I try to tuck it all up in the mask, it's not too bad.- OK.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Now, crucially, have you got spare suits for us?
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- Yes, you'll be suited and booted. - Shall we do that now?- Yes.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48I'm definitely not taking any chances.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Where's the arm gone?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Got it.- There it is.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09It's too much?
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Got the keys?- Got the keys. - Ready?- Yes. Ready?
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Well, now I'm all kitted up,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26the next step is to actually brave going in.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27There's another one. There's another one.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30All joking aside, I hope this suit does its job.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Defending our right to a safe place to live is the job of housing
0:20:39 > 0:20:42officers right across the UK.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46It's unusual for us to find a tenanted property in this condition.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- You can smell that rubbish still, can't you, from here?- Yes.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53I'm working alongside the men and women that do exactly that...
0:20:53 > 0:20:55You got insulted, we got kicked out.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Bit of a red letter day really, isn't it?
0:20:57 > 0:20:58..hitting the streets,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00finding out what is happening on the front line...
0:21:00 > 0:21:04You've done a great thing, a superb thing, you really have.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07..as we make sure a house is a fit place to call a home.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10The place is clearly being plagued by rats,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13raw sewage in the back garden.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17It's just apparent that this is not an OK environment..
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- No.- ..for anyone to live in.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Earlier, we went to see council tenant Ali Howe who we met last year
0:21:25 > 0:21:29after complaints by neighbours about the appalling state of his flat.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Ali, how many months ago was it we had this place cleaned?
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- I don't know.- We had everything out of the bedroom, the lot, didn't we?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Housing officer Ian Watson's concerns Ali had slipped
0:21:41 > 0:21:44back into his old habits seemed to be unfounded.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Well, Ali, I'm pleasantly surprised.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Ali, when I came to see you last time,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- it was much worse than this, wasn't it?- Yes.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59But since then, a more disturbing problem has come to light.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04Unfortunately, a week ago, Ali had a fire, residents were
0:22:04 > 0:22:07reporting there was a load of smoke, somebody called the Fire Service.
0:22:07 > 0:22:13They attended and he was on the floor asleep, cuddling the dog.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16He was taken to hospital and they've kept him in since and
0:22:16 > 0:22:19hopefully he's being released this afternoon.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21It's a very worrying situation.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25The flat above is home to a lady with a young child.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The consequences just don't bear thinking about.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33Ian's responsible for the welfare of all the residents, not just Ali.
0:22:33 > 0:22:34As soon as he's home from hospital,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37he needs to get to the bottom of exactly what happened.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44All right if I come in?
0:22:46 > 0:22:49She's pleased to see you.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51At least someone's glad he's home.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54But he isn't about to make Ian's detective job any easier.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00- What have the hospital said? - I went to hospital, nothing wrong.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- What happened the other Saturday then?- Nothing happened.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Well, you were lying on the floor with the dog.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- Huh?- You were lying on the floor with the dog.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- I was not, not on your life. Get your- BLEEP- facts right.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17- Look, that's why I'm here to speak to you.- I know.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Because obviously the Fire Service turned up, didn't they?
0:23:21 > 0:23:23There was no need for them.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27When the fire engine come, he said there was nothing wrong, mate.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29They walked in here, walked in and walked out,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31they said there was nothing wrong.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- But you'd left something on. - I had not left nothing on.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38- You understand how serious it could be?- Yes.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39You know, because it's not just you.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42And what about the safety of the other people?
0:23:42 > 0:23:46I don't think that would ever happen in my life.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49But we can't guarantee that, and that's my concern.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53- We can't guarantee.- You say there wasn't one the other Saturday...
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- Nothing at all.- All right, then, Ali.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59He's getting nowhere and a situation like this could easily lead
0:23:59 > 0:24:04to Ali getting evicted so Ian tracks down Ali's granddaughter
0:24:04 > 0:24:05Tammy to discuss his concerns.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10If it's going to get worse, you know,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14I mean, my consideration is not only for Ali, cos I do care
0:24:14 > 0:24:18for him, but what about the other neighbours? You know,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22what happens if next time there's a pan full of oil? Young kiddies
0:24:22 > 0:24:26in the flat above. If we can't do anything, I need to know what
0:24:26 > 0:24:30else or who I can try and apply some pressure to,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32to say, "Hold on a minute."
0:24:34 > 0:24:35When Tammy arrives,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39it's clear her grandad hasn't been giving Ian the full story.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- He's insistent he had no fire. - He has had a fire.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49- Was anything burnt then? - All the cooker.- Right.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51There was frying pans that I've chucked out.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56The cooker was totally burnt and there was ash all up the wall
0:24:56 > 0:24:59that we've tried to clear down as much as we can.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01He's insisting to me that he didn't have one.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I said, "Why were the Fire Service called
0:25:03 > 0:25:05"and why was your door locked?"
0:25:05 > 0:25:07- He insisted the door weren't locked. - The door was locked.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- If it was a pan of oil...- It could have been a different story.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12It could have been a different story and that's the trouble.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16You've got the same concerns as I have, as have the neighbours -
0:25:16 > 0:25:17what if...?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Another time. I need to know... Well, on this one,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22whether to speak to social care.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- You've done all you can do.- Yeah. - I've done all I can do.- Yeah.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- I'm just trying to get something in place.- I know.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Although she tries to be on hand to help whenever she can,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Tammy can't be there round-the-clock and she's only too aware how serious
0:25:38 > 0:25:43the situation is as she reveals this isn't the first time it's happened.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48We've had four fires in the space of six weeks and I'm scared for
0:25:48 > 0:25:50the neighbours, I'm scared for him,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I'm scared for everyone around because he's adamant he hasn't
0:25:53 > 0:25:57had a fire or that everything's OK and clearly it's not.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01I came over and there was fire engines here
0:26:01 > 0:26:04and the house smelt of smoke.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09- They'd put the fire out.- There was no... Nobody put no fire out.- OK.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13- God's honest truth, I never move out of this- BLEEP- place no more.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14Mm-hm. OK.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- I know.- There was a fire. - There was not.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- OK. There was no fire. - Stop telling- BLEEP- lies.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24With Ali refusing to accept there is a problem,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26it's a heartbreaking situation.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29No matter how much he wants to live life on his own terms,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33his safety and the safety of the other tenants needs to come first.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Although a last resort, eviction is very much on the cards.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43I get frustrated but I also get very, very upset.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45He's my grandfather. no matter how much he tells me to
0:26:45 > 0:26:47go away, leave him alone and nothing's wrong,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50he's still my grandfather and I can't just walk away.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53As much as people say, "Walk away," I can't do it.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56He loves living here, he loves being with the dog,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59but I think at the moment he needs more help.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03The question for Ian is where that help is going to come from.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I'll probably speak to social care, and they say they can't do
0:27:06 > 0:27:09any more unless he's prepared to accept help and I can find
0:27:09 > 0:27:13out perhaps who's been dealing with him and we'll take it from there.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- All right, Ali, I'll be in touch. - I hope so.- All right. Yes.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21Bear in mind what we've all said - think of other people.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25Finding a solution that's right for everyone isn't going to be easy.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28But it's clear things can't carry on the way they are.
0:27:28 > 0:27:34Four times in a matter of six, seven weeks, it's a lot.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36You know, he's nearly 87,
0:27:36 > 0:27:41he is in reasonable health so he can look after himself to that extent,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45but he just still won't accept that there was a problem and
0:27:45 > 0:27:51it's serious enough for us to have to consider what can we do with him.
0:27:53 > 0:27:54Ultimately though,
0:27:54 > 0:27:58the final decision on Ali's future won't just be down to Ian.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I think I'm going to contact the Fire Service and see whether
0:28:01 > 0:28:05they've got any photographs, or what their report says,
0:28:05 > 0:28:08because, as you've heard, Ali denies there was a fire
0:28:08 > 0:28:13and therefore even more reason to say is he safe to be there?
0:28:13 > 0:28:17From a housing point of view, I don't know that
0:28:17 > 0:28:22there's anything we can enforce, but I don't know the full powers of
0:28:22 > 0:28:28social care and what their situation is, so I need to speak to them.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Well, luckily for Ali, thanks to the additional support he's been
0:28:33 > 0:28:36getting from his granddaughter Tammy,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39he's been given another chance to make things work at home.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Ian is obviously still going to be keeping a close eye on things,
0:28:43 > 0:28:44but, for the time being at least,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Ali and his beloved dog are staying put.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Parking - it's a pain at the best of times and unsurprisingly can
0:28:58 > 0:29:01be a regular source of disputes between tenants too.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05In Suffolk, housing officer
0:29:05 > 0:29:06Andrew Weavers has a tenant who's
0:29:06 > 0:29:09so fed up with people parking outside his own flat,
0:29:09 > 0:29:12he's decided to take the law into his own hands...
0:29:14 > 0:29:17..using a paint brush and some very bright yellow paint
0:29:17 > 0:29:19to create a personal parking bay.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28It's not very subtle is it, Andrew, what he's done? It's...
0:29:28 > 0:29:34I thought I'd struggle to find his bay, but apparently this is...
0:29:34 > 0:29:38I thought he'd put on "no parking" yellow lines but I didn't
0:29:38 > 0:29:43quite realise he was marking his own little car park.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46What he's done is, he's marked a very big...
0:29:46 > 0:29:48I'd say you can get a minibus in here.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52It's very long and very wide and it's on both sides he's stuck the
0:29:52 > 0:29:54yellow lines, as if to say,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58"Don't park here. This is my parking space."
0:29:58 > 0:30:01We've parked right in it. We're asking for trouble.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04I know, but I'm like that, if I see a space, you know, I'll park in it.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- It's the best space. - I think so, it's a good space.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Plenty of room to get in and out of the car, I'm happy.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Yes, it's a lovely, big space and you can certainly see
0:30:13 > 0:30:15the temptation to want to keep it all to yourself,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18but creating your own bespoke parking arrangements isn't lawful
0:30:18 > 0:30:21and it can wind the neighbours up something rotten.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24It just aggravates everybody and he certainly didn't come and ask
0:30:24 > 0:30:27us for permission to do it and I certainly wouldn't have given
0:30:27 > 0:30:28him permission to do it.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30We need a chat with the tenant before
0:30:30 > 0:30:33he does any more damage with his paint pot.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35But finding the culprit is proving harder than
0:30:35 > 0:30:37finding the illegal parking space.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It must be. I reckon he's upstairs and that way.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Oh, no, we've got to go to the next block, I think.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51We've temporarily mislaid the flat!
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Got to be here somewhere.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Look for the smell of spray paint.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56No sign of the tenant.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59But we do find a disgruntled neighbour.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02He doesn't have a car but does use one of the garages which
0:31:02 > 0:31:06he claims will be obstructed thanks to his neighbour's handiwork.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09If I had a car, no-one would be able
0:31:09 > 0:31:13- to park in the two spaces, simple as that.- No. Oh, well.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16I'm waiting for someone to move in that has got a car
0:31:16 > 0:31:18that wants a garage so they can park it in there because
0:31:18 > 0:31:21I'll gladly give it to them just to wind him up more than anything.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22THEY LAUGH
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Trouble is, I have to unravel the wind-ups, don't I?
0:31:27 > 0:31:31I have to try and keep peace, yes. There's no designated spaces.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Oh, no, there isn't, no, it's a free-for-all.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Everyone gets a fair crack of where they want to park.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39It's clear feelings in the block are running quite high and it
0:31:39 > 0:31:42probably wouldn't take too much more for things to get out of hand.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Andrew needs to try to nip the situation in the bud.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48But when we finally find the correct flat...
0:31:49 > 0:31:50No.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56..the tenant responsible for trying to mark his territory isn't at home.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59What's going to happen next?
0:31:59 > 0:32:02We're going to tell him he shouldn't have done it,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05talk to him, get to have a chat with him and possibly say to him
0:32:05 > 0:32:08that we might have to charge for cleaning it off the car park
0:32:08 > 0:32:11cos he's got absolutely no right to do that.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14It's like a red rag to a bull isn't it, doing something like that?
0:32:14 > 0:32:16- You clearly can't do it.- No.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18And all he's doing is annoying all his neighbours cos
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- everyone we've spoke to said exactly that.- Yes.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26And so inevitably, someone's going to come and say he can't do it.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28If there were designated spaces here, fine,
0:32:28 > 0:32:31we could put numbers on it and do it in a nice, proper way.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34But we don't have that many places that you would have
0:32:34 > 0:32:37designated parking - it's first come, first served.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40It's people taking the law into their own hands and doing
0:32:40 > 0:32:42what they want to do, you know.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45It upsets people along the way. People get annoyed with each other.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49It ends in fisticuffs or someone is going to get in trouble and
0:32:49 > 0:32:52there's people like me to unravel it.
0:32:52 > 0:32:53You've got to get in there early,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55- nip it in the bud. - Nip it in the bud.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58So Andrew needs to draw a line under this,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01and later returns to the scene of the crime
0:33:01 > 0:33:04where he comes face-to-face with the troublesome tenant.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Andrew from Mid Suffolk District Council. Thank you.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11That car park belongs to us,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14it's our land and I'd get them off if I were you.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Back in Stroud, I'm with housing officer Shane Reece
0:33:22 > 0:33:26and the council pest control team, dealing with a flea infestation in
0:33:26 > 0:33:30a property recently vacated by an elderly tenant and their cat.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34It's an unusual but crucial assignment for Shane, who won't
0:33:34 > 0:33:38be able to get any new tenants in until the house is completely clear.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- Is that one there? - There you go.- Oh, look at that.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47Making its way up towards my, er...
0:33:47 > 0:33:48See that one crawling there?
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- They're sort of there and then gone, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Is there enough of an environment here for them, you know?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Cos there's probably bits of food and stuff but I always
0:33:58 > 0:34:03think that they need to live in a fibrous carpety sort of...
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Yes, you will find them anywhere but, to be honest,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07from my previous experience as well,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09I've seen a lot more heavy infestations
0:34:09 > 0:34:12in carpeted areas and skirtings and all that sort of stuff.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14What we might find obviously after a short time of being in the
0:34:14 > 0:34:19property, we might see more and more and more, you know, hopping around.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23No, it's not quite the full-on flea circus I was expecting,
0:34:23 > 0:34:25but they do need to be dealt with.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28In terms of public health, what is the danger that comes from them?
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Obviously, with fleas, you're going to get bites and everything else.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36They will try and feed on humans, as such.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Really, for us, obviously, once there is an infestation there,
0:34:40 > 0:34:41these things tend to get worse,
0:34:41 > 0:34:45they lay eggs that lay dormant and it will only get worse.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Time to take a look upstairs.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Straight away, on the stairwell where obviously there was some
0:34:50 > 0:34:53carpeted areas, there's a few more I've seen straightaway that
0:34:53 > 0:34:56were jumping around, one that just missed Matt's leg actually as
0:34:56 > 0:34:57he was going up the stairwell.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59'Kept that quiet then, Shane, thanks.'
0:34:59 > 0:35:03With a bit of movement now, it's starting to become more evident.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- Fleas are working their way up the stairs?- Fleas are working here, yes.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11As we tread carefully, I can't help thinking about the elderly
0:35:11 > 0:35:14tenant who must have been living with a flea infestation far
0:35:14 > 0:35:18worse than what we found, probably thanks to their much-loved pet.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25We've seen, you know, how much people love their animals,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27especially if people feel lonely or isolated,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29their animals mean a huge amount to them,
0:35:29 > 0:35:33but in this case, obviously, that's what's bringing the fleas in.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35It's going to have a cause, definitely.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38A lot of the time with us, it's animals and what you tend to
0:35:38 > 0:35:43find is, unfortunately, if people are in a position where the animals
0:35:43 > 0:35:47are not well-kept, it can quickly escalate if it's not picked up.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52In fairness to a tenant of whatever age, they're hard to spot.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54We can spot them because we're wearing white suits,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57we have been made aware of it, we see it on a weekly basis,
0:35:57 > 0:35:59so it's easy for us to understand.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02As a person living here normally, if you weren't looking out for them,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06you might not even notice. It's just one of those things.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Thankfully it seems whatever fleas are here have migrated to
0:36:09 > 0:36:13the ground floor, where I'm still keeping my eyes peeled.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16I'm seeing imaginary fleas now, just little bits of movement.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18They're not really there.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- There's another one. - There's another one.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25It's obviously more than enough evidence for us to get a full clean
0:36:25 > 0:36:29done on the property, obviously not to take any chances then whatsoever.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33We have certainly seen fleas and it's interesting that
0:36:33 > 0:36:36- actually we have had to look quite hard for them.- Yeah.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38Then once you start looking hard for them,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40they are almost everywhere, aren't they?
0:36:40 > 0:36:41Yes, exactly, yes.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44It turns out fleas are quite small
0:36:44 > 0:36:48and quite hard to identify and they move and jump.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50There are definitely fleas here,
0:36:50 > 0:36:54there is an infestation and it was worth putting all this clobber on.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Whilst Liam gets to work to rid the property
0:36:57 > 0:37:01of the fleas that are still here,
0:37:01 > 0:37:05Shane and I want to see if we can track down the possible culprit.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- The cat's still here somewhere then? - Yes.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12As I came in through the front garden earlier,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14something came down off the top of the shed, obviously, a cat came
0:37:14 > 0:37:17down, which shocked me a little bit coming through the front garden.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21What I think I'm tempted to do is be in touch with the welfare
0:37:21 > 0:37:25officer anyway and get them to come out and do a visit.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28The house is going to get sprayed so presumably it has
0:37:28 > 0:37:30to be locked down during that time so the cat can't come in.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33We definitely wouldn't want the cat having access to the house at
0:37:33 > 0:37:36that time so it can't come back in.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Either the cat can come back and damage itself or the cat
0:37:38 > 0:37:40could come back and bring fleas with it.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- Anyway we need to contact that cat. - Yes, definitely.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Let's get out of Dodge.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Let's FLEA the scene! - Ah, good.- Thank you.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53With the whole house being treated and a call put out for the cat,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56it's now all about the new occupants.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59So realistically how long do you think before we get someone
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- else back in that property? - So I think realistically if we
0:38:02 > 0:38:05haven't got the flea infestation in there tomorrow, with the works
0:38:05 > 0:38:08that need doing internally, we're probably looking at about
0:38:08 > 0:38:11ten days' work, so sort of just over two weeks really and we can have
0:38:11 > 0:38:14a new person sign up to come back into this property.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18- That's good, isn't it?- Yes.- A pretty quick turn around.- Yes, it is.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23The good news is that the cat is reported to be safe and well
0:38:23 > 0:38:25with the neighbours keeping an eye on it.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28The property is currently being refurbished in preparation
0:38:28 > 0:38:29for a new tenant.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Meanwhile back in Suffolk, Andrew Weavers was attempting to
0:38:40 > 0:38:43deal with a tenant whose spot of DIY with some yellow lines was
0:38:43 > 0:38:45making his neighbours see red.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49I'm waiting for someone to move in that has got a car
0:38:49 > 0:38:51who wants a garage so they can park it in there
0:38:51 > 0:38:55cos I'll gladly give it to them just to wind him up more than anything.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56THEY LAUGH
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Trouble is, I have to unravel the wind-ups, don't I?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03I have to try and keep peace, yes.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Unfortunately, we had no luck finding the culprit,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10but, soon after our visit, things escalated.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14The police got involved, suggesting that the new impromptu parking space
0:39:14 > 0:39:17could be classed as criminal damage.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20In a bid to defuse the situation before any charges are brought,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23a couple of days later, Andrew heads back.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31We spoke to a couple of people that said that this
0:39:31 > 0:39:34gentleman had been quite horrible to them and abusive.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38I do know how they feel cos I've been on the other end of it
0:39:38 > 0:39:41myself, so I'm sort of not looking forward to going and seeing
0:39:41 > 0:39:45him today because I know he gets a little bit grumpy with me.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50It seems there is a very big clue that the tenant is at home.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54It looks like his car is parked neatly in his space.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56If there's a parking issue here,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59he's going to need to work with us and we are going to have to
0:39:59 > 0:40:03try and find better ways of dealing with it than this.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09This time, Andrew knows the correct route to the flat first time.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Luckily, the tenant is in.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Andrew from Mid Suffolk District Council. Thank you.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25The tenant claims that inconsiderate parking by both the neighbours
0:40:25 > 0:40:28and non-residents have driven him to, well,
0:40:28 > 0:40:30paint himself into a corner.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34That car park belongs to us, it's our land.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37There isn't anything that we can do to police who parks in it.
0:40:37 > 0:40:42Now, there are ways and means of going about it and putting
0:40:42 > 0:40:44your own yellow lines down isn't the way.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Those lines have got to come off and I'd get them off if I were you.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52So what I want to do is work with you, rather than against you.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56I think I caught him in a better mood.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58As soon as I walked through the door he knew I was coming in.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Andrew needs to ensure that the council's position on
0:41:01 > 0:41:05antisocial behaviour like this remains crystal clear.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09People are saying you've been quite aggressive in your manner and
0:41:09 > 0:41:12I've witnessed that myself because you were aggressive towards me.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Now you've said, "I'm sorry about that," and I accept that, right,
0:41:14 > 0:41:15that's fine.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19But if you do speak to other people the way you spoke to me,
0:41:19 > 0:41:21there's a distinct possibility that you are breaching your
0:41:21 > 0:41:23tenancy conditions and we don't want that,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27we want people to live happily amongst one another.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30The yellow line has been reported as criminal damage.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33That will be dropped obviously if it's cleaned off and you are
0:41:33 > 0:41:35willing to do that, yes.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38So I'll inform the police that we've had this conversation and if you
0:41:38 > 0:41:43are willing to get that cleaned off, I'm willing to get that dropped, OK?
0:41:43 > 0:41:46You know, there's nothing wrong with you parking there obviously
0:41:46 > 0:41:49if you can get that space, but we have got to get these...
0:41:49 > 0:41:52We can't take the law into our own hands and I'm happy that we
0:41:52 > 0:41:54have had this conversation.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57He knows he's done wrong and he says he's going to clean it,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00get it cleaned. If he can't clean it himself,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03he's going to pay for us to go and do it for him.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07It seems Andrew's intervention has paid off.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09There's ways and means of letting us know there's
0:42:09 > 0:42:12a problem and taking things into your own hands isn't the way.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Just hopefully we'll see if he quietens down a little bit.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Let's hope the paint-happy private parker has learnt his lesson.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Since Andrew's visit, the tenant has agreed to remove the yellow lines.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32The council cleaned up the car park
0:42:32 > 0:42:35and passed on the invoice to the tenant.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Andrew also agreed to withdraw the report of criminal damage.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Well, as we have just seen, being a housing officer means
0:42:45 > 0:42:49a daily dose of tough choices and difficult decisions.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52But it's all in a day's work for the men and women fighting
0:42:52 > 0:42:55to ensure we can enjoy a safe place to call home.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58That's it for today but join me again next time
0:42:58 > 0:43:01when I'll be back on the front line with The Housing Enforcers.