0:00:02 > 0:00:03That doesn't quite feel safe.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05'Everyone deserves a safe place to live.'
0:00:05 > 0:00:06What's it like for you living here?
0:00:06 > 0:00:09'But with rents rising and demand increasing,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12'it's getting harder and harder to find a secure place to call home.'
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Passers-by have used these as toilets.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Out she pops, brandishing a bottle above her head.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23'I'm Matt Allwright and I'm back with the Housing Enforcers.'
0:00:23 > 0:00:25There are definitely fleas here, an infestation.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27He was trying to make this into a home
0:00:27 > 0:00:29and then it just all went horribly wrong.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31'I'm on the front line with those fighting
0:00:31 > 0:00:33'for the right to decent housing...'
0:00:33 > 0:00:35You can actually see the floorboards.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37'..as local councils and housing associations
0:00:37 > 0:00:40'battle problem properties and slum conditions...'
0:00:40 > 0:00:43- Are you ready for this, are you? - I don't know.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45'..as they deal with dodgy landlords...'
0:00:45 > 0:00:46So that's a dead rat.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47What am I going to do?
0:00:47 > 0:00:49'..nightmare neighbours...'
0:00:49 > 0:00:52All hell broke loose and I could hear somebody screaming.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Get rid of him!
0:00:54 > 0:00:55'..and everything in between...'
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- I think that's referred to as a bong.- A bong, right, OK, yeah.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- A makeshift bong. - Yeah, a makeshift bong.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'..to help those in need of a happy and healthy home.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06If there's something strange in your neighbourhood,
0:01:06 > 0:01:07who you gonna call?
0:01:11 > 0:01:14'Today, one tenant finds herself evicted
0:01:14 > 0:01:17'after 60 years in the same house.'
0:01:17 > 0:01:19You've just lost your mum, you've been through that
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and now you're going to lose your home.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'Things take a dangerous turn in an empty property.'
0:01:25 > 0:01:28I'm coming across quite a few really, really sharp knives.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31It's very suspicious, and they're placed in places
0:01:31 > 0:01:34like just underneath cabinets and underneath the bed
0:01:34 > 0:01:37and just rings even more alarm bells for me.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40A young tenant and his injured mum are hoping for a new start.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Yeah, I do really worry about her
0:01:43 > 0:01:46because, like, when she's about here,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49she could fall over and hurt herself.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52'And we find a house that's definitely not for those
0:01:52 > 0:01:54'with a fear of heights.'
0:01:54 > 0:01:56That just doesn't quite feel safe.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Making sure everyone's got the chance to find
0:02:00 > 0:02:02and keep a roof over their heads
0:02:02 > 0:02:05is the job of housing offices across the UK.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09I'm working alongside these men and women who use the law
0:02:09 > 0:02:14to make sure we don't live in slums, but in homes fit to raise a family
0:02:14 > 0:02:15or enjoy our retirement.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18They can make sure you have the facilities you need
0:02:18 > 0:02:19as you get older.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22They also have the power to enforce a landlord
0:02:22 > 0:02:26to sort out a dangerous property or help evict a bad tenant.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28It's definitely a challenging role.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Welcome to the world of The Housing Enforcers.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39The UK has more social housing than anywhere else in Europe.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43There's around 4.1 million social homes in England and Wales,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46but with demand for them far exceeding supply,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49today, for many tenants, the idea of a social home for life
0:02:49 > 0:02:51is simply unachievable.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54Here in Mid Suffolk,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57housing officer Andrew Weaver's role is to try to find homes
0:02:57 > 0:03:01for everyone in need and that often comes with difficult choices,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03like the one he's facing today.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05So what have we got today, then?
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Well, we're going to go and see a lady
0:03:07 > 0:03:09who hasn't any succession rights left
0:03:09 > 0:03:11to the property she's living in.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Lost her mum a few months ago,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17but she hasn't got the right to remain there.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I thought that you got succession rights from your parents,
0:03:20 > 0:03:25so if your parents had a council property or a social property,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28then you automatically had the right to that.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Yeah, absolutely, absolutely right.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32On this occasion, unfortunately,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35it was originally in her father's name.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37So it passed from the father to the mother,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40that was the one succession that's been used up, effectively?
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Exactly. I mean, in this day and age,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45we want to try and grab as many properties back
0:03:45 > 0:03:48and put into family accommodation as we possibly can.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51So this is possibly a bit of a difficult conversation?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Yeah, always is with these ones, but, on this occasion,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56I've got to have a bit of a housing officer hat on
0:03:56 > 0:04:01and say, "Look, we really need to get this back into our stock."
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- OK, well, shall we go, then? - Yeah, let's have a go.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07With 1.3 million people on waiting lists
0:04:07 > 0:04:10for social housing in England and a dire need for family homes,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14the council's decided a single tenant in a property like this
0:04:14 > 0:04:16doesn't make a lot of sense.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18But I really don't envy Andrew his job today.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26The property we're heading to is in the village of Tostock.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31It's been a much-loved home and the family who've lived in it
0:04:31 > 0:04:33have never given the council any cause for complaint.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- Hi.- Do you want to come in? - Would you mind? Thank you very much.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40'So, it's particularly difficult
0:04:40 > 0:04:43'for Andrew having to evict daughter Miriam and her dog, Lily,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45'so soon after losing her mum.'
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Do you know what's happening today?
0:04:49 > 0:04:51I'm being served with my notice.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- That's right. - Four weeks' notice, is it?
0:04:53 > 0:04:56That's it, yeah. And you've been here all your life?
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- All my life.- Yeah.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Born upstairs.- Yeah.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Born here, yeah. And do you mind me asking how old you are?
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- 63.- 63.- Mm-hm.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- So that's a long time, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10This house is the only home Miriam's ever known
0:05:10 > 0:05:13and the place where she nursed her mother during her final years.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- So are you retired?- Yeah.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- Well, I actually left work early to look after Mum.- Yeah.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Because she was poorly.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31For years, you've obviously lived with Mum and Dad and you've worked.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34I suppose you had quite a lot of money to put away and save?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Yeah.- You're in a better position than most people
0:05:37 > 0:05:41because you've got some money and if you've got a pension,
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- you've got an income.- Yeah.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45'Although Miriam's eligible for social housing,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48'her savings mean she's a low priority case.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52'It's hard but if she wants to stay in the area
0:05:52 > 0:05:54'where she's spent her whole life,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57'Miriam's only option is moving into a private rental property,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59'and that won't be cheap.'
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Once I've paid rent out of my pension, I've worked it out,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08I'll have about £65 a month left.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- These are the local rents we're talking about, are they?- Yeah.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13So a two-bedroom flat, 750 a month.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- These are big rents now, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19You know, if you start eating into your savings,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- those savings won't last terribly long.- No.- Right.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27'The situation is clearly painful for both Miriam and Andrew,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30'but you can see how a large property like this would be perfect
0:06:30 > 0:06:31'for a family in need.'
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Having lived here for 63 years,
0:06:35 > 0:06:39can you imagine what it's like to live anywhere else?
0:06:39 > 0:06:43No. Because I've never known anywhere else.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49But it's something I reckon I'll have to get used to, don't you?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52We always sort of spoke, me and Mum, you know,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56and she's always sort of said, "Well, keep paying the rent.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58"They won't throw you out."
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- There's so many people that want houses like this...- Yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05..that when the opportunity comes up, they have to take it.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06Because I'm not penniless.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08No. You have some choice.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- I've worked and saved, yeah.- Yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12- You've just lost your mum.- Yeah.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16You've been through that and now you're going to lose your home.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Have you started to think, you know...?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Nail.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21Really?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- Right.- Yeah.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- Are you all right?- Yeah.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I think you're being very brave.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33What would your mum say?
0:07:33 > 0:07:35SHE MOUTHS
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- Would she?- Yes!
0:07:41 > 0:07:45I think you're taking it very well, as much as you can.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50'I'm absolutely gutted for Miriam, but she's accepted the situation
0:07:50 > 0:07:52'and has already started the huge job
0:07:52 > 0:07:55'of packing up a lifetime of memories.'
0:07:55 > 0:07:57So you're making progress.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- I have.- You've got bags lined up.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I've got bags everywhere, I have bagged a lot of stuff.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04You're making really good progress.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- You're getting ready. - I'm getting ready.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11'There's one obstacle that makes her hunt for a new home
0:08:11 > 0:08:13'even more difficult, though -
0:08:13 > 0:08:16'finding somewhere where dogs are welcome, too.'
0:08:18 > 0:08:20What's the chances of getting somewhere that accept Lily?
0:08:20 > 0:08:23How many of them are saying "no dogs"?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Well, the council ones that I've looked at so far.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- They all say no dogs? - Got a cross on.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34'It isn't going to be easy, and now Miriam has just 28 days
0:08:34 > 0:08:36'to leave the only place she's ever called home.'
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Treat it like an adventure.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41I know it's horrible, but treat it...
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- I've never had an adventure. - I know, well, this is it,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46we'll try and help make it as easy as possible. Yeah?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- Yeah.- Time to start thinking about yourself.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- And Lily.- And the dog.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53- And Lily, yeah.- The dog, yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54Are you going to be all right?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- Yeah.- Good. OK.- Right.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Andrew, that was possibly the most suitable tenant
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I think we've ever come across,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07someone that's lived in a house for 63 years,
0:09:07 > 0:09:08was born in that house,
0:09:08 > 0:09:12keeps the place beautifully and yet we're serving notice on her.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14That's just bizarre, isn't it?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I'm much more comfortable in dishing out notices
0:09:17 > 0:09:20to people that cause antisocial behaviour,
0:09:20 > 0:09:21people that don't pay the rent.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24This sort of tears at your heartstrings, doesn't it?
0:09:24 > 0:09:29You know, it's one of my worst jobs, I think.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Just goes to show we are fairly desperate for houses like this
0:09:32 > 0:09:35when they come up. We need to get a family in here, really,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39strictly speaking, and that's what we hopefully will end up doing.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Later, as the eviction date looms,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47the reality of her situation starts to hit home for Miriam.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54The whole process of moving scares me, really.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Evicting a tenant is rarely straightforward,
0:10:02 > 0:10:04but once that tenant has left the property,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07it's the job of a housing officer to ensure
0:10:07 > 0:10:09it's made ready for the next occupant.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12In Stroud, Shane Reece is inspecting
0:10:12 > 0:10:16a recently vacated flat on the outskirts of town.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21Today, we're going to head up to a property that has been subject
0:10:21 > 0:10:23to an eviction about a week ago now
0:10:23 > 0:10:26and it's apparently been left in quite a bad state
0:10:26 > 0:10:28cos obviously we want to turn around the property
0:10:28 > 0:10:30as quickly as possible to get it let.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32So far, so good,
0:10:32 > 0:10:36but it sounds like Shane might have his hands full with this one.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Apparently, it's packed full of stuff
0:10:37 > 0:10:39so basically what I want to do is get in there,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42see how bad it actually is and make a decision in terms of us
0:10:42 > 0:10:44getting it turned around as quickly as possible,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46but also making sure the ex-tenant gets the opportunity
0:10:46 > 0:10:49to collect their stuff and everything else.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50With the property thought to be empty
0:10:50 > 0:10:52apart from the tenant's possessions,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54it should be a simple job.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56I'm a bit concerned, now.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59But it doesn't take long for Shane to find the first issue.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03The padlocks fitted by the council aren't doing their job properly.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06It looks as though...
0:11:08 > 0:11:10..for whatever reason,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12it might have actually been cut away with a saw or something,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14I'm not quite sure, so if this opens,
0:11:14 > 0:11:18obviously they weren't doing anything, which is the case.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22So, I'm a little bit concerned now, obviously.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23I'm probably going to, er...
0:11:25 > 0:11:26..go and have a look,
0:11:26 > 0:11:31and I'll check whether there's possibly any sort of damage in there
0:11:31 > 0:11:33or anything on top of what already might be in there.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36With the previous tenant no longer living here,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Shane has no idea who might be inside.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Hello?
0:11:43 > 0:11:45HE KNOCKS
0:11:49 > 0:11:50Hello?
0:12:08 > 0:12:09I'm just going to check out all the rooms,
0:12:09 > 0:12:14just to make sure there's not or hopefully not, er...
0:12:14 > 0:12:15Hello?
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Oh, hang on.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22There's a window open there as well.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27That tells me that there might well have been somebody
0:12:27 > 0:12:30accessing the property when obviously they shouldn't be.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32So all I want to do is just check the other rooms now
0:12:32 > 0:12:34and make sure, obviously, there's nobody in there.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Housing officers never really know
0:12:36 > 0:12:39what situation they might find themselves in
0:12:39 > 0:12:41when they're entering an empty property.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Although Shane was expecting the tenant's flat to be unoccupied,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47it seems someone else has been making themselves at home.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49So, looking around the property,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51there's a few things that ring alarm bells for me, obviously,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55like this bread that doesn't look that old
0:12:55 > 0:12:57and there's certainly no mould on it or anything,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59the fact that there's knives out,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02the taps are actually dripping, you know,
0:13:02 > 0:13:03it...rings all sorts of alarm bells
0:13:03 > 0:13:06that somebody has probably not just broken into the property,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09there's a possibility, obviously, they'll still be living in here -
0:13:09 > 0:13:11you know, sleeping, eating, everything else -
0:13:11 > 0:13:13whilst it was supposed to have been empty.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17So, you know, we need to put a stop to that straight away.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Shane's not happy, so he calls for backup.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23But before he gets the chance to ring...
0:13:23 > 0:13:25FAINT CLATTERING
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Hello?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28..there's a noise outside the front door.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37No.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38False alarm.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39I was just concerned with us in the living room
0:13:39 > 0:13:42that somebody was going to come back in through the front door,
0:13:42 > 0:13:44so it doesn't look like they are, which is good news.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47But Shane's not taking any chances.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49I'm just going to lock that one up a second
0:13:49 > 0:13:51whilst we're in, looking around the property,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53just because if someone does come through the front door,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55it's going to take me a little while
0:13:55 > 0:13:58to get out to the front door to confront anybody.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Hi, Colin, you OK?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Yeah, not too bad, not too bad. It looks like somebody's gained access
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and there's a possibility somebody might have been living in here.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08I don't really want to leave it unsecured, obviously,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11for the fear of somebody getting in here and not coming back out.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16Yeah, yeah, no problem at all, mate. Cheers, Col. Cheers, mate, bye, bye.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I've taken a little bit of advice off another officer
0:14:19 > 0:14:21and to not take any more chances,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I'm going to get a specialist subcontractor to come out
0:14:23 > 0:14:27and put on some real heavy-duty security door, basically,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29on the front and what I'll do now,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I'll sit at the property or just outside the property
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and make sure that nobody hopefully gains access in the interim.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Hopefully, nobody will come back.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Shane's got no choice but to guard the flat by himself
0:14:41 > 0:14:43until the workmen can get there,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45but it could be hours before backup arrives.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48To find that the locks had been snapped off and a window's open,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51meaning that somebody's still obviously either living here
0:14:51 > 0:14:53or has gained access for whatever reason,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55it was a little bit concerning, to be honest.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57So I'll just see if we can get it secure as quickly as possible
0:14:57 > 0:15:01cos obviously we don't want anybody entering this property at any point.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06It's an agonising wait and quite a nerve-racking experience for Shane.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Looking around, there's a lad looking a bit suspicious,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12walking around with no top on, as though he's either lost
0:15:12 > 0:15:14or he might be looking for somewhere to go,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17so I'm just mindful of the fact, with the windows wide open,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21that there's a possibility it might be the person
0:15:21 > 0:15:23trying to get into the property. As a result of that,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I'm going to shut the windows up now and make the property secure.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29It's probably nothing, but I don't want to take any chances.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Easier said than done.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Right, so we've got a window that doesn't shut.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47The likelihood is somebody has actually tampered with that window,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50so obviously as well as getting the front door made safe,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52we're going to have to get the windows made safe
0:15:52 > 0:15:53and everything as well.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55The rest of the windows seem to be OK,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58but Shane's found something even more worrying.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01As I'm looking around this property,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I'm coming across quite a few really, really sharp knives.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07It's very suspicious and they're placed in places
0:16:07 > 0:16:10like just underneath cabinets and underneath the bed
0:16:10 > 0:16:14and it just rings even more alarm bells for me.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Coming into the living room, again,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19there's just random sort of kitchen knives
0:16:19 > 0:16:21and what don't even look like kitchen knives,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24other types of knives sort of dotted around the place, really.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26And then more concerning by the fact that you actually think,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29unbeknownst to us at the time, if there was anybody inside the flat,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31you don't want to be coming in to somebody
0:16:31 > 0:16:32that perhaps is vulnerable
0:16:32 > 0:16:34and there's knives hanging around left, right and centre,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38so a bit of a concern. I have been to evictions in the past where,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40you know, you get in through the door
0:16:40 > 0:16:41and there's people still in the property
0:16:41 > 0:16:43so it's a bit of a shock
0:16:43 > 0:16:46and then obviously that sort of changes the situation immediately,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48and it can sometimes be a little bit volatile,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51so you just have to be prepared for anything, really.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Now help's been arranged to secure the property,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Shane's attention turns to the clear-up operation
0:16:59 > 0:17:01and readying the flat for new tenants.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04It's a massive shame, really,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06that the property's been left in such a state
0:17:06 > 0:17:09and obviously we got issues in terms of now people accessing it
0:17:09 > 0:17:12and everything because the property itself, you know,
0:17:12 > 0:17:13it's a two-bedroom flat.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15It's not in that bad condition at all, really,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17a few repairs in terms of a bit of glazing smashed and stuff,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19but it wouldn't take a huge amount of work
0:17:19 > 0:17:22once the property's actually emptied out to get this turned around.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24I know there's people desperately waiting
0:17:24 > 0:17:27to get into a property like this that will look after it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- Hi, mate, all right? - Yeah, you OK?- Yeah, good, man.- Good.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39At last, Shane has backup and they start on making the flat secure.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41But what should have been a routine check
0:17:41 > 0:17:43has proven costly for the council.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Initially, it's going to cost us £250
0:17:47 > 0:17:49just for the call-out for today.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Then they've got to install the door.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53We could be looking at about another 250 quid.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56There's also the time for myself and Colin,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59that's two officers being out here trying to sort the issues out now.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02So, I mean, today, you could easily be looking at sort of £1,000
0:18:02 > 0:18:05just for somebody sort of gaining and entering the property
0:18:05 > 0:18:07and it just means that from the council's point of view,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09we're spending money on things that should have already been sorted
0:18:09 > 0:18:12and things we shouldn't have to that can't go towards sort of, you know,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15something that somebody else would appreciate.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18It's a tense day for Shane - rather him than me -
0:18:18 > 0:18:20but at least the flat is now secure
0:18:20 > 0:18:22and will soon be welcoming new residents.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33In Tendring, I'm working with housing officers Rob Goswell
0:18:33 > 0:18:34and Ian Kavanagh.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44We're off to Brightlingsea today to have a look at a HMO
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- that we've been dealing with in the past.- House in multiple occupation.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51- Yes.- So that means we're looking at a place
0:18:51 > 0:18:56that's been split up into bedsits or individual units.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57Is it a big one?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00It's quite a big one, actually, and when it was first converted,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02it was converted to quite a high standard.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- That was approximately about three years ago.- Yeah.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Probably longer, actually, about four or five.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Yeah, since then the landlord has been increasingly quiet,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14which always sends up a bit of alarm signals from us.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21If a landlord has gone to ground,
0:19:21 > 0:19:25it can suggest their property isn't being properly maintained.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Is that the boiler room?
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- Yes.- Let's have a look.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31'One of the skills of a housing officer
0:19:31 > 0:19:34'is to look for signs of disrepair and deal with them
0:19:34 > 0:19:35'before things get too serious.'
0:19:37 > 0:19:40We've got... I don't know if there's anything in there.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42'And we haven't even entered the place
0:19:42 > 0:19:44'when we spot a potential hazard.'
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- That looks like an oil... - It does, doesn't it?
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Like a motor oil canister.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Yeah, there's something in it.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52And a bit of wood as well, so it's quite handy...
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Yeah, we've got a perfect element there, you know,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57to have a little fire.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00And this is why it's important that we keep on top of these
0:20:00 > 0:20:03with these properties because it's very easy how quickly
0:20:03 > 0:20:05these can degrade to a point
0:20:05 > 0:20:09and there's been a lot of talk these days of HMOs on the rise, you know,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12to help the housing situation, and a lot of landlords
0:20:12 > 0:20:14are turning to these to make ends meet,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17but they're going the wrong way and they're not maintaining
0:20:17 > 0:20:18and they turn... As I say,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20this is going to be quite presumptuous,
0:20:20 > 0:20:21but they turn into slums quickly.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23It's that difference of understanding
0:20:23 > 0:20:25that if you want to get that increased income,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28you're not just selling the flat on and your responsibilities with it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31When you take it on like an HMO, you're the captain of the ship.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- Yes.- When you're the landlord, you're in charge of the vessel.- Yes.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37'The question is, is this ship being driven onto the rocks?
0:20:39 > 0:20:41'Time to see if anyone's in.'
0:20:41 > 0:20:43THEY KNOCK
0:20:51 > 0:20:55'No sign of any tenants or the landlord,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58'but there is more evidence of dodgy maintenance.'
0:20:58 > 0:21:01I'm just sort of not sure what's going on here.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02The door's damaged.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06What is that? Is that a bathroom?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09That's a toilet with a sink and you've got...
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Yeah, the door's damaged, the door needs to be replaced.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Because this is a property with multiple tenants,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17there are strict health and safety regulations
0:21:17 > 0:21:19for the landlord to abide by.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23But the state of the communal areas is already ringing alarm bells.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28I mean, always our top priority is making sure that this area,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30the communal area's like your protective bubble.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32If you imagine that like that so if there's a fire in your room,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34you can get out your room, get to here
0:21:34 > 0:21:36and you know you've got at least half an hour
0:21:36 > 0:21:37to get out of the house.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40And then it's really important that whoever's managing this
0:21:40 > 0:21:43is on the ball because these shared areas,
0:21:43 > 0:21:44nobody's going to, you know...
0:21:44 > 0:21:46This sort of thing which shouldn't be here,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49nobody, none of the residents here are going to think
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- they've got responsible for that at all.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54So the landlord or managing agent needs to be over the whole thing.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55I know it sounds silly, but, you know,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58you've got a swivel chair here, this should be fire sterile.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01It's quite easy if someone had a fire and someone runs out,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03knocks that swivel chair in there and this is all smoking,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05someone comes flying down there, you know.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08So this is what we've got to get our mind round, kind of like
0:22:08 > 0:22:11how could people escape should that event occur.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- Should we shoot up and see if we can...?- We're not getting any luck.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16'Well, at least someone knew we were coming.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22'Upstairs, the list of potential fire hazards grows even longer.'
0:22:22 > 0:22:26So we've got a sort of utility space here, which...
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Has it got a light? Hold on, let's just check that.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Yeah, that works. - The light's working.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- But we've got two washer-dryers or a washer and a dryer in there.- Yeah.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41We've got these two working, meant to be nice and safely locked away.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- Self-closer was locked. - So, basically, white goods,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48anything with an electrical supply like that that could go wrong,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50could be the source of a fire,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53you want to have a fire door separating it
0:22:53 > 0:22:54from the rest of the property.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57You know, especially something like a dryer has a heating element,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01quite likely it could go, you know, and so if it ever did go, you know,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03you put your washing in there, you go to work,
0:23:03 > 0:23:07that door will close behind you. If it did set on fire,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10the smoke would be detected beforehand and everyone can get out,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14but if it's wide open, the fire can spread so quickly.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18'So fire risk outside - check.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21'Unsafe communal areas - check.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23'Ineffective fire doors - check.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26'And when it comes to the shared toilets...'
0:23:26 > 0:23:27See that?
0:23:27 > 0:23:28'Well, it seems like it's luck of the draw.'
0:23:28 > 0:23:30That signifies peace of mind.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31Let's go this way.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36This... BOLT RATTLES
0:23:38 > 0:23:40No, no.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42That does not signify peace of mind.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46That is not what you want.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54'Coming up, I find out what life is really like
0:23:54 > 0:23:56'for the tenants who live here.'
0:23:56 > 0:23:59I would say we're probably a category one hazard here,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02which is the most significant hazard.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Defending our right to a safe place to live
0:24:05 > 0:24:08is the job of housing officers right across the UK.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- You can smell that rubbish still, can't you?- Yeah.- Even from here.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14It's like a red rag to a bull, isn't it, doing something like that.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17'I'm working alongside the men and women that do exactly that.'
0:24:17 > 0:24:20You've done a great thing. You've done a superb thing.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Oh, that's not so bad. I've seen worse.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26'Hitting the streets, finding out what's happening on the front line.'
0:24:26 > 0:24:30The smell around here is really strong.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33'As we make sure a house is a fit place to call a home.'
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Oh, so you've got a choice.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36Yeah. It's a tomahawk of some sort.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41The choice of the tomahawk or the bayonet.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44So that's a parting shot, basically, is it, from the tenant?
0:24:48 > 0:24:51We all know that one of the roles of a housing officer
0:24:51 > 0:24:55is to try and get people off the streets into safe and secure homes.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57But another equally important part
0:24:57 > 0:25:00is to try and keep people in their homes.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Sometimes, that's not as easy as it sounds,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05especially when the tenant in question might be struggling.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11It's a situation that Stroud tenant Tina and her young son, Kieran,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14find themselves in since the property they've been calling home
0:25:14 > 0:25:16is no longer suited to their needs.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21I had a very nasty injury to my foot in that I fell off a stepladder.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24They found out that I'd broken every bone
0:25:24 > 0:25:27and pulled all the joints to the side,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30so I had to go in and have them realigned.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33That got infected so I had to go in and have another operation
0:25:33 > 0:25:36and, all told, I've had three now
0:25:36 > 0:25:39and they've told me I've got complex regional pain syndrome.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42They've tried everything and I've been told
0:25:42 > 0:25:44that it's now going to steadily get worse
0:25:44 > 0:25:48and then I'm also going to get arthritis in it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50It's completely changed my life.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51Quite soul destroying.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Get a plate out and get yourself a bit of chocolate fudge cake.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02And Tina's injury has also taken its toll on 12-year-old Kieran.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Not too big a slice cos I know what you're like.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10It's been difficult to do it because of my mum's accident
0:26:10 > 0:26:12so I've been stuck in here with her,
0:26:12 > 0:26:16and while everyone else has been outside playing,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20so I haven't been able to join them and start playing.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Since my accident, he's been stuck in with me, really, caring for me,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28which has obviously upset me quite considerably,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32but he's still a bit nervous about going out and leaving me.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38I do really worry about her because, like,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42when she's about here, she could fall over and hurt herself,
0:26:42 > 0:26:47her foot could be playing up so she could be in really bad pain,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51so I worry about how bad the pain is,
0:26:51 > 0:26:53like, if she can handle it alone.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Tina used to love her home, but now she feels trapped here.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01The main problem is the steps.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03As you can see, there's quite a few steps coming up to the house
0:27:03 > 0:27:05and that is the most difficult thing for me,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07is getting in and out of the house.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Once I'm in, I really don't want to go back out because it's, you know,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13going back down the steps, really.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16And especially when it's raining
0:27:16 > 0:27:18cos I can't go down on my bottom.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Kieran has been so dedicated to the care of his mum,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23it's left him little time for himself.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I mean, he's not been able to go out
0:27:27 > 0:27:29because we used to do everything together.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30We used to bike ride everywhere,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33he used to go out and play with his friends.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35It's been quite soul destroying.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40And I think now is the time for him
0:27:40 > 0:27:43to be able to get out there and enjoy life, really.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Desperate to make a new life for her and Kieran,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Tina's asked for the council's help
0:27:48 > 0:27:50to find her a more suitable property.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56We only need two bedrooms cos we've only got my son and myself,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00but it needs to be on a level that I can use my mobility scooter
0:28:00 > 0:28:03to get in and out and hopefully, you know,
0:28:03 > 0:28:04be able to go out and about again.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Later, after two years of waiting,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13I like it, yeah, yeah.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16I can see that it's going to look really nice once you've finished.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Back in Tendring, I'm with housing officers Rob and Ian
0:28:24 > 0:28:28inspecting an HMO, a house in multiple occupation
0:28:28 > 0:28:30and, so far, we're not too impressed.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Yeah, the door's damaged, the door needs to be replaced.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40'We thought there was nobody home.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45'But, upstairs, a tenant answers their door...'
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Hello, Tendring District Council, hiya.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52'..and agrees to let us check the conditions inside his flat.'
0:28:53 > 0:28:55What we've got concerns with is we want to make sure
0:28:55 > 0:28:57that it's kept up to... Cos when it was first done,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00it was kept up to a really good standard but, I don't know,
0:29:00 > 0:29:02we've just had a little wander round the communal area
0:29:02 > 0:29:06and it looks like it's kind getting a little bit shabby in places.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09'Apart from the lack of a fire blanket in the kitchen -
0:29:09 > 0:29:11'which is a legal requirement by the way...'
0:29:11 > 0:29:13If it was, like, a small fire, you could tackle it.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Anything bigger than that, get out, just get out.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- Yeah, don't bother trying to fight it.- Yeah.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21'..this tenant's flat seems in pretty good order.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24'But it's a different matter out on the balcony.'
0:29:27 > 0:29:29This is far too low.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- Far too low.- Starting to look at...
0:29:31 > 0:29:32Particularly from this height.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36I mean, you think how far you could fall there, you know.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37So you could easily slip
0:29:37 > 0:29:40or even take a misstep off this half step here,
0:29:40 > 0:29:43so that's going to increase the likelihood
0:29:43 > 0:29:46and the likelihood of going over's even further increased
0:29:46 > 0:29:47by the height of it.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49And, do you know, it's one of those things
0:29:49 > 0:29:52where actually quite beyond the calculations and measuring it,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55it's that weird feeling you just get about here, when you...
0:29:55 > 0:29:57It's like vertigo. Yeah, I know, it doesn't feel safe.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- That just doesn't quite feel safe. - Yeah, and it isn't.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02I will say it isn't.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05And, I mean, I think weighing it up in my mind,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07I would say we're probably a category one hazard here,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10which is the most significant hazard.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14'That category one means the council now has the take action
0:30:14 > 0:30:17'to ensure this balcony is made safe as soon as possible.'
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Obviously, for the current occupant,
0:30:20 > 0:30:24the idea of going through these railings or over the top
0:30:24 > 0:30:27might be far-fetched, but when we inspect,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30we inspect on the basis of not just the person that's living here now,
0:30:30 > 0:30:32but whoever might live here in the future
0:30:32 > 0:30:36and you look at that space there and the drop that goes with it
0:30:36 > 0:30:38and you imagine a child, a toddler,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41coming out here cos it's a lovely day and the sun's shining
0:30:41 > 0:30:43and then that doesn't bear thinking about at all.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45So, it needs to be dealt with.
0:30:45 > 0:30:46It needs to be sorted.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52'The next tenant we meet doesn't want to be identified,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55'but is unhappy with the state of the property
0:30:55 > 0:30:58'and he says he's heard the landlord may have sold the place on.'
0:30:59 > 0:31:02They should inform us, that's one of their...
0:31:02 > 0:31:04This property's licensed as an HMO
0:31:04 > 0:31:07and it is the law that they have to inform us should the owners change.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Now, if they haven't, we need to go down and look at enforcement
0:31:10 > 0:31:14because effectively this is an unlicensed HMO if they've done that.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16'This place is certainly not the worst HMO
0:31:16 > 0:31:19'or house in multiple occupation I've seen,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22'but the landlord has got questions to answer
0:31:22 > 0:31:24'about his approach to health and safety.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26'The team haven't been able to contact him for weeks.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29'But now it sounds like he's finally broken cover.'
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Yeah, I've just had a phone call from my colleague back at the office
0:31:33 > 0:31:35whilst we were looking around here.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38The landlord contacted him on my phone
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- and was very irate, wasn't happy. - OK.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43So I'm fully expecting that, when I get back to the office
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and I speak to the landlord, he's going to be most unimpressed.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48But it doesn't take away the fact that there are hazards here.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- Oh, there's issues here. - You know, and I think, potentially,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53he's probably doesn't like the fact that we're coming round
0:31:53 > 0:31:54and looking at these issues.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56It's worth remembering it's an HMO.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59We don't need to give the landlord notice of our visit.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01We could just turn up here and do a snap inspection.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03But you've chosen to notify him.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04- Of course we have.- Of course, yeah.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Through respect and working with the landlord.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15We have, it appears, a very angry landlord
0:32:15 > 0:32:18who we may or may not get to see.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21But it would be good just to point out to him
0:32:21 > 0:32:24possibly the fact if you're running an HMO,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26a big building full of people,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29you're responsible for that, you're the captain of the ship,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32so you've got to take it seriously. Let's hope he does.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36'Well, despite our best attempts,
0:32:36 > 0:32:38'we've been unable to reach the landlord.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41'However, the good news for the tenants at that property
0:32:41 > 0:32:44'is that since our visit, the landlord has now completed
0:32:44 > 0:32:47'the majority of work highlighted by Rob and Ian.'
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Earlier, we met Tina,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58who was struggling to cope with the steps to her property
0:32:58 > 0:33:00after an accident badly damaged her foot.
0:33:02 > 0:33:03I fell off a stepladder.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06They found out that I'd broken every bone
0:33:06 > 0:33:08and pulled all the joints to the side.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12They've now told me I've got complex regional pain syndrome.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14They've tried everything and I've been told
0:33:14 > 0:33:16that I'm also going to get arthritis in it.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21Tina's 12-year-old son, Kieran, helps to care for her
0:33:21 > 0:33:23as she finds it difficult to cope alone.
0:33:23 > 0:33:30I worry about how bad the pain is, like, if she can handle it alone.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32But after two years of waiting,
0:33:32 > 0:33:34it sounds like there's some good news,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37courtesy of housing officers Elaine and Zoe.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41They've found a recently-vacated bungalow
0:33:41 > 0:33:42that, with some refurbishment,
0:33:42 > 0:33:44could be perfect for Tina and Kieran.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54And this is their first look at a potential new home.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00- So we think this is the bedroom in here.- OK.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05So, obviously, when we refurbish it, we'll take all the wallpaper off.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- The bathroom, this is what I wanted to ask you about.- Yes.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11'I don't normally show tenants around, that's not my remit,
0:34:11 > 0:34:13'but because of the circumstances,'
0:34:13 > 0:34:16it was better to meet her than for her to move in
0:34:16 > 0:34:18and another team come along and do the adaptations
0:34:18 > 0:34:22that she may have needed to be able to access her home.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25It's looking good. Tina seems happy,
0:34:25 > 0:34:29but, now, let's have a look at Kieran's potential bedroom.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31Will it get his approval?
0:34:31 > 0:34:32This would be yours, then.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36So, again, we'd strip the wallpaper, remove the carpet.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Unless you like the wallpaper and want to keep it.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43- It's going to be your room. - No? Don't...?
0:34:43 > 0:34:44At her present property,
0:34:44 > 0:34:48Tina's unable to use the mobility scooter that she relies upon.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50But this bungalow is much better suited to her needs.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53I think it's very nice.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Obviously, you've got to use your imagination a bit
0:34:56 > 0:34:59and see the full potential.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01This is going to be wonderful,
0:35:01 > 0:35:04being able to get out and see my friends at long last.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Fair play to the council, they've got me a nice property.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08So Tina's a happy customer.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11It's a great result for Elaine and Zoe.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15That was satisfying.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17She seemed quite pleased.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18She was happy with everything.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22We were able to discuss items that we wanted to, we can meet her needs,
0:35:22 > 0:35:24which is a win-win situation.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Now they've got the go-ahead from Tina,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29they can start to get the house ready for her arrival.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Thinking probably six to eight weeks on this one,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36just because of the amount of properties we've got at the moment
0:35:36 > 0:35:38and the work that needs doing in here.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40It's actually quite a tidy property,
0:35:40 > 0:35:42just needs a little bit of modernisation.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44And thanks for your help with the kitchen.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47That's fine, that's fine. Go and sort your bedroom out now, then.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Yeah. Go and declutter.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50Thank you.
0:35:50 > 0:35:51Relocating to a bungalow
0:35:51 > 0:35:54will greatly improve Tina's quality of life.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56But she's not the only one who's looking forward to the move.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03I'm excited because I had my mum's accident so I've been stuck at home
0:36:03 > 0:36:08looking after her so, yeah, when we go to this new place,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11she'll be able to look after herself,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14so I can just go out and play with all of my friends.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18But, unfortunately, Tina and Kieran are having to wait
0:36:18 > 0:36:20a little bit longer for their happy ending.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22After further investigation of the property,
0:36:22 > 0:36:27the kitchen area hasn't proved to be suitable for Tina's mobility issues.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29So, together with the council, the search continues.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31But, hopefully, it won't be too long
0:36:31 > 0:36:34before mother and son are enjoying a more suitable property.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42'Earlier, in Suffolk, I met Miriam Rose,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45'who was being evicted from the council house
0:36:45 > 0:36:48'she's lived in for over 60 years because she wasn't eligible
0:36:48 > 0:36:51'to take over the tenancy after her mother passed away.'
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- Are you all right?- Yeah.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59I think you're being very brave.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03She's desperate to stay in the village
0:37:03 > 0:37:05where she's spent her whole life.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09So, for now, her only option is to find private rented accommodation
0:37:09 > 0:37:11that will accept her dog, Lily, and that's no easy task.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17We've got to find a house.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18Shall we go and look at this one?
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Well, I could, couldn't I?
0:37:20 > 0:37:24That one we can't because it says no pets.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29I want something nice. I mean, I've worked hard all my life.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Left school at 15 and worked till I was over 60.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38I thought my retirement was going to be different to this.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41Sad.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47It's a heartbreaking situation,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50but there are families who really need this type of property
0:37:50 > 0:37:54and, sadly for Miriam and Lily, the council has no choice.
0:37:54 > 0:38:00I feel sort of stunned that I've got to pack everything up
0:38:00 > 0:38:03now I've sorted all Mum's affairs out,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07now I've got to pack up everything and move somewhere.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11God knows where.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13To do that, I'll have to go private.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17And with just 28 days to move out, it's a daunting prospect.
0:38:17 > 0:38:22The whole process of moving scares me, really.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26It is scary cos I'm not an adventurous person.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29It's a process made even harder
0:38:29 > 0:38:31because it isn't just possessions she's having to pack up.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33It's a lifetime of memories, too.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38This is the room where I was born, yes.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41There's a lot of photographs.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43That was Mum and Dad's wedding.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Down Tostock church.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47That's where they're buried
0:38:47 > 0:38:49and I've got the plot next to them,
0:38:49 > 0:38:54which I bought when we lost Dad 18 years ago
0:38:54 > 0:38:58and now I've now paid for my funeral and made my will.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00So, that's where I'm going.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04And that's me.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06That was out in the front garden.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10Mum always did my hair.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14She looked after me so, when it was my turn, I looked after her.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16That's right, isn't it?
0:39:16 > 0:39:20I did wonder if I would get married and move out,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24but it never happened so here I am still.
0:39:26 > 0:39:2863 years.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Miriam had just four weeks to find somewhere new to live,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39but despite her fears and against all the odds,
0:39:39 > 0:39:41they're's been a positive development.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Housing officer Andrew is on his way back to see her.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50She's got herself a private rented property in the same village,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54which she's very happy with so it all seems good and, to be fair,
0:39:54 > 0:39:56the person who's renting the bungalow
0:39:56 > 0:39:58will have a blooming good tenant on their hands
0:39:58 > 0:40:01because she'll look after the place and pay the rent,
0:40:01 > 0:40:03so she's ideal, really.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07It's a fantastic outcome and not just for her.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10It's good for the council as a whole
0:40:10 > 0:40:13because we get a family home back in stock
0:40:13 > 0:40:17and we're able to rehouse a family from the housing register.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25HE LAUGHS
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Oh, wow! You've got a lovely place here.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31- Well, come in.- Thank you very much. So this is your new home.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34- Go in, have a look.- Thank you. Oh, wow!
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Yeah, very nice. It all happened so quickly.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Yeah, we haven't sorted the curtains in this room yet.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- You've done really well. You've done really well, you know.- Yeah.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47It's hard to imagine how Miriam was feeling a month ago,
0:40:47 > 0:40:49but she's faced up to the reality
0:40:49 > 0:40:53of losing the only home she's ever known with real grace.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55This is my bedroom.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58You've got a really nice spot, haven't you?
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- It's nice, isn't it? - Yeah, it's lovely, yeah.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02The rent's a lot more, though.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Yeah. I was going to say. Dare I ask, or...?
0:41:05 > 0:41:07- Don't ask.- Don't ask, OK!
0:41:07 > 0:41:09I won't ask, then!
0:41:09 > 0:41:11It might be costing more than her old home,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13but that seems to be the only downside
0:41:13 > 0:41:16because this place is absolutely lovely.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Once you've made it and put a stamp on it,
0:41:18 > 0:41:20- then it's your home, isn't it? - That's it, yeah.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24And Miriam's new landlord is planning some major renovations
0:41:24 > 0:41:25that will make it even nicer.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30But they're going to renew all the bathroom and the toilet
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and put that all into one.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35You know, you've worked with us really, really well.
0:41:35 > 0:41:36- That's good.- So well done.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- Thank you.- We're really pleased. - Thank you.- Yeah, well done.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- I'm really pleased about that. - Thank you.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43It's really good to see you all happy and that.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- I'll shut the gate, shall I? - Yes, please.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Having to tell Miriam that she had to leave
0:41:49 > 0:41:52the only home she'd ever known was never going to be an easy job,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55so today's visit has been a big relief for Andrew.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00It's actually nice to see her settled,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03and she's got a beautiful spot here as well.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05She's got back on the housing register,
0:42:05 > 0:42:06which she's entitled to do,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08and if something comes up in the village later on,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10she'd be able to bid for it.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13It's all good in the end. She's probably the nicest person
0:42:13 > 0:42:15I've had to serve a notice of seeking possession on
0:42:15 > 0:42:17in my career in housing.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20And it sounds like her mum would have approved.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25I used to walk mum round in the wheelchair
0:42:25 > 0:42:28and we always sort of admired this little bungalow
0:42:28 > 0:42:30and said, "What a lovely outlook!"
0:42:30 > 0:42:34Even if it is taking a bit of getting used to...for everyone.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36Well, a bit strange at the moment
0:42:36 > 0:42:39and I've had, like, butterflies in my tummy,
0:42:39 > 0:42:43but, yeah, it's not too bad.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47What do you think, Lily? You were a bit scared, weren't you, at first?
0:42:47 > 0:42:50You was. Are you getting used to it, babe?
0:42:52 > 0:42:56It's clear that, even though the job of a housing officer can be tough,
0:42:56 > 0:42:58it's certainly never dull.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Every front door offers a different challenge.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02So join me next time, when I'll be back on the front line
0:43:02 > 0:43:06with the men and women across the UK fighting for your right
0:43:06 > 0:43:09to a safe and secure place to call home.