0:00:02 > 0:00:04Can you imagine living in these conditions?
0:00:04 > 0:00:05So you started with mice?
0:00:05 > 0:00:08- Yeah.- And now they're rats? - Yeah, yeah.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Security is very poor at the back of this property.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13But with the pressure on housing greater than ever,
0:00:13 > 0:00:17finding a safe place to live is getting harder and harder.
0:00:17 > 0:00:18It's just terrible.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20It gets me the most, this place.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Oh, my God. Can you see what's going on here?
0:00:24 > 0:00:26I'm Matt Allwright and I'm back on the front line
0:00:26 > 0:00:28with the housing enforcers.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32So what you've got is a very, very quick way to dispatch yourself.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35This series tackles downright dangerous houses head-on...
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Really worryingly, there's no mains gas supply here at all.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41..from life endangering fire traps...
0:00:41 > 0:00:43They wouldn't even know that the place is on fire
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- before they were dead.- You can see these plugs here, they've blown.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48The worst-case scenario, the house could have burnt down.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..to health hazards...
0:00:50 > 0:00:53It's at a stage where it really needs to be dealt with now.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55..to accidents waiting to happen...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57You're actually not talking about a fire,
0:00:57 > 0:00:58you're talking about an explosion.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02..making sure we all have a safe and secure place to call home.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07There are things here that could seriously shorten your life.
0:01:10 > 0:01:16Today, I'm faced with tenants living in an unsafe flat above a takeaway.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18- No.- No.- You can't get out.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20The only way out is through his own kitchen,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23which is the one room that's most likely the place
0:01:23 > 0:01:24- where a fire will start.- Yeah.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26We may have a prohibition order.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Rats are making a disabled man's life a living hell.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33You can clearly see evidence of rats down here.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35I wouldn't want that window open.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38And there's a tumble dryer that could prove catastrophic.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Actually you're not talking about a fire,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- you're talking about an explosion. That's really not good.- No.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Our homes are the places we feel safest
0:01:46 > 0:01:50but the fact is, we're more likely to have an accident at home
0:01:50 > 0:01:52than anywhere else.
0:01:52 > 0:01:57Homeowners and landlords can do their share to prevent fatalities
0:01:57 > 0:02:01or serious accidents by fitting smoke and fire alarms
0:02:01 > 0:02:03and ensuring good escape routes.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06You do have to start thinking about how you're going to plan
0:02:06 > 0:02:12to get out of places and what's your quickest way.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13Yeah, we have smoke alarms.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17You know, we have one by the...
0:02:17 > 0:02:22kitchen, we have another by the entrance
0:02:22 > 0:02:25and one upstairs.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27You know, people can be trapped in houses
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and yes, I keep keys ready for upstairs windows,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33that kind of thing, to make sure I can get out
0:02:33 > 0:02:34in the event of a fire, yes.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39In Smethwick in the West Midlands, after a fire broke out
0:02:39 > 0:02:41in a takeaway, the Fire Service has alerted
0:02:41 > 0:02:44housing officer Richard Hawkins to check on the people
0:02:44 > 0:02:46living in the flats in the same block.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Richard, how are you? Are you all right?
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- Yeah, I'm good, how are you? - I'm very well, thank you.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54So, last week there was a fire at a shop in Smethwick.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56The Fire Service has got some concerns that there was
0:02:56 > 0:02:59somebody living above it. That's fine, if the right regulations
0:02:59 > 0:03:01are in place. But what we need to do is go out today
0:03:01 > 0:03:04and have a look to see if there are proper separations, proper alarms,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07things like that that you would expect to see in a building
0:03:07 > 0:03:10where you've got somebody living above a commercial premises.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- Right. Let's do it. Ready to go?- Let's go.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15They may not realise it,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19but tenants living above shops are at greater risk from fire.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22If they can't be protected, they may have to move out.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24I'll introduce ourselves.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Ali, this is Matt.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Ali shares the flat with his grandad.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31They were both in when the blaze started in the takeaway
0:03:31 > 0:03:33right beneath them.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Could you just quickly talk me through the layout of the property?
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Yeah. My bedroom's through there and my grandad's on the right.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43OK. Sorted. Can you let him know that everything is all right?
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- Yeah.- Just the two of you live here? - Yeah.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47My grandad's on holiday at the moment.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49He's not my related grandad but I call him grandad out of respect.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- OK, I understand.- All right. But, yeah, the doors are open.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- By all means, do what you've got to do.- Thank you very much.- OK.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Time to get to work, starting with Ali's bedroom.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01As we went through the takeaway restaurant downstairs,
0:04:01 > 0:04:07we went over deep fat fryers, grills, gas grills that were going
0:04:07 > 0:04:09so you've got all sorts of risks from down there,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12which make this the sort of place that you might need
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- to get out of in a hurry.- Perfect.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15The student has become the master!
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Deep fat fryers account for around a fifth of accidental house fires
0:04:21 > 0:04:24each year. It's not a particularly restful thought
0:04:24 > 0:04:26when you're sleeping above an industrial-sized one.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30You've got a guy that's sleeping in here,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32he's above a kebab shop that had a fire last week,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34and the only way out is through his own kitchen,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36which is a fire risk in itself.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38You've got to exit through the one room that's most likely
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- the place where a fire will start. - Yeah.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44But at least the bedroom window is a means of escape, isn't it?
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Hold on, hold on, it's screwed shut here.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Oh, yeah.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- This one... - Let's have a look at this one.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55Right, so if he was desperate...
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- No.- No.- He can't get out.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04No, he can't. It means that Ali would be trapped
0:05:04 > 0:05:05in the event of a fire.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08We may have a prohibition order.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15High risk of fire below - check.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16No safe escape route - check.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18No smoke alarms - check.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Without a prohibition order preventing further use
0:05:22 > 0:05:26of the property, it's the perfect recipe for disaster.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32I've been making Housing Enforcers now for four years,
0:05:32 > 0:05:33five years nearly, maybe?
0:05:33 > 0:05:38And in that time, I think we've seen maybe two prohibition orders.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42While Richard reports back...
0:05:42 > 0:05:43PHONE RINGS
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- All right, mate.- Hello, Gaz. Do you want the good news?
0:05:46 > 0:05:49..I want to talk to Ali about his close brush with catastrophe.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I was asleep.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56The door was knocking. My grandad just said,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58"Get up, there's a fire."
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I opened the door, came through the corridor,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04there was thick, black smoke. It was very, very difficult to breathe.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09We both sort of went outside and called the fire brigade.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Did you ever find out how the fire had started in the first place?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Yeah. The fryer had been left on overnight.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Over the course of a couple of hours, it caught fire.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23Where my bedroom is, directly underneath where the fryer was,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25it could've been a whole different story.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27It's just a...
0:06:27 > 0:06:30ticking time bomb. Initially, they tried to get access to the shop
0:06:30 > 0:06:31via the front, but there were shutters,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33so they couldn't get through.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35It sounds to me like you were incredibly lucky.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39You can't rely on your grandad every day to wake you up.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- Thanks for talking to us, Ali. - No, no problem.- Cheers.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Ali's landlord is responsible for putting up fire alarms
0:06:46 > 0:06:47and guaranteeing a safe exit.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50That was shocking.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53I mean, talking to Ali about...
0:06:53 > 0:06:56what happened in his flat and the way the fire...
0:06:57 > 0:06:59..pretty much took hold...
0:07:00 > 0:07:03..it was lucky it was when it was and that his grandad was awake.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Yeah.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10It makes you look at flats above shops in a completely different way.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13But it's not just Ali living above this parade.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15There are families with children next door
0:07:15 > 0:07:16living above another shop.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21We need to be working out - how are these people getting
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- out of this building if there's a fire?- OK.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25OK. So, let's have some scenarios. We've got a bedroom here.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27How are these people escaping?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29So, firstly, what type of door is this?
0:07:31 > 0:07:34So here, this doesn't look to me like a fire door.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36It's a relatively solid door but it's not...
0:07:36 > 0:07:39It's on fire door hinges but it's not a fire door.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40I wouldn't say it's a fire door.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42If they don't have certification for it,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44then we wouldn't consider it to be.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46It also doesn't have any brushes down the sides
0:07:46 > 0:07:48or on the door itself, so that means it's not smoke proof,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- so it's not...- No strips, no brushes.- It's not a fireproof door.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52- No closer.- No closer.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55So I'm going to start getting some photographs of all of this.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Some business premises are at greater risk of fire,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03so there must be fire separation between them and residents.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08It's crucial for flats like these above commercial premises,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12right the way across the country, that everything works perfectly.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15That you're told if there's a fire as early as possible
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and that your escape route is absolutely secure.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21In these flats, sadly, that is not the case.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22Totally inadequate.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27We'll find out later whether the landlord of Ali's flat,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29and the landlord of the family's flat,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32have brought them up to satisfactory standard.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37With home ownership out of reach for many people,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40and social housing waiting lists getting longer,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44renting from private landlords is booming.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49But huge demand across the country has meant some families are
0:08:49 > 0:08:53being forced to move into homes that don't come up to standard.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58They need to ensure that the property that they are renting out
0:08:58 > 0:09:02to their tenant is habitable.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I think that if you rent from a landlord,
0:09:04 > 0:09:05the landlord should be responsible,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08because you're living in their house.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10This is why you pay rent.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Oh, yeah, landlords definitely should be
0:09:13 > 0:09:15fully responsible for safety in the house.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I think landlords should be totally responsible for all issues.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20That's what we pay our rent for, after all is said and done.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23In Sandwell, housing officer Neena Varma
0:09:23 > 0:09:25has taken a call from a desperate mum,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28whose privately rented house may have become unsafe
0:09:28 > 0:09:29for her four young children.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34In particular, we're concerned about a boiler that's not working,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37therefore she's got no hot water and no heating.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41She's reported it to the landlord in February
0:09:41 > 0:09:43and he's not done anything about it.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Neena's leaving immediately to do an emergency inspection
0:09:46 > 0:09:47of the property.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52What we are attempting to do is establish a little bit more
0:09:52 > 0:09:55by speaking to the tenant to see what the problem with the heating is
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and why it hasn't been fixed. Without any heating,
0:09:58 > 0:10:02she's obviously not been able to keep the property warm.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05She's not going to have any proper bathing facilities.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07So, it is a nightmare.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Long periods of living in a cold house can have an effect on health,
0:10:11 > 0:10:12especially for children.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Neena will need to check that the kids' health
0:10:14 > 0:10:15isn't being put at risk.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24I'm particularly concerned about the boiler, really,
0:10:24 > 0:10:28because you said that you spoke to your landlord in February?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Yeah.- Um, so what's he done since February?
0:10:31 > 0:10:35He sent somebody round and they've done a quote,
0:10:35 > 0:10:36but nothing since then.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38And when was that, then?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42March.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45It's unbelievable that this young mum has been struggling on
0:10:45 > 0:10:48without the basic utilities for more than six months.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Have you made contact with your landlord since March
0:10:52 > 0:10:55to ask him to follow it up to see what's happening?
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Yeah, we've been in touch a few times,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00and he just keeps saying he'll send someone around but...
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- But he's had some quotes? - Yeah.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- How many children have you got living in the property?- Four.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06- Four children.- Yeah.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08OK. And how old is the youngest?
0:11:08 > 0:11:09One.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12I can only imagine how hard it's been to keep
0:11:12 > 0:11:15four young children clean, healthy and warm here.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20It seems the boiler could have had its day.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25Unsafe boilers can produce poisonous carbon monoxide gas,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28which can cause long-term health problems and, in the worst cases,
0:11:28 > 0:11:29even kill.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32The gas engineer, has he said that it can be repaired,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34or does it have to be replaced?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36The boiler's that old, they couldn't get the parts for it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Isolated.- A combi boiler.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- So the parts have been isolated? - Yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44With young children among the most at risk from excess cold,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46if the boiler can't be repaired,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48the landlord will have to get it replaced
0:11:48 > 0:11:49within a reasonable time limit.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Well, I have to boil the kettle to wash up
0:11:53 > 0:11:55and I've got an electric shower,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58so I have to put that on to bathe the kids
0:11:58 > 0:12:01because obviously they're too young to have a shower.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04The tenant's doing her best, but winter is coming.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05The situation is getting desperate.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07So Neena is going to have to take action fast.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11The boiler is very old.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13You're not going to be able to get the parts.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15So we're looking at a new boiler, to be honest.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16It has to be replaced
0:12:16 > 0:12:19and I think that's what the landlord's going to have to do.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21And with the house already falling below
0:12:21 > 0:12:22basic health and safety standards,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25another potential hazard has caught Neena's eye.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30So is that the only double socket that you've got in the kitchen area?
0:12:30 > 0:12:32There's one behind the microwave, too, but...
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- So you've got four appliances on the one extension?- One extension.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39There clearly aren't enough sockets in this kitchen,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42but running a number of large appliances off one extension lead
0:12:42 > 0:12:45is never the answer. There's a real danger it could overheat
0:12:45 > 0:12:46and catch fire.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Obviously, potentially, it's a fire risk because it's being overloaded.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56It's important to check the rating on your extension lead
0:12:56 > 0:12:58to make sure it isn't overloaded.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Just because there's room to plug everything in,
0:13:00 > 0:13:02it doesn't mean it's safe.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06As well as the electrics, Neena has now found another concern.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08You know you've got some stains on this ceiling here?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Yes.- Is that leaking?
0:13:10 > 0:13:11It has done.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16This needs investigating before the damp turns to mould,
0:13:16 > 0:13:21creating yet another health hazard which can cause allergic reactions.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22So you've got a leak there
0:13:22 > 0:13:25but it's obviously affecting the electric here, isn't it?
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Because it's going to be trickling down your ceiling.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31That could be an electrocution risk.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Potentially, there could be water that has affected that,
0:13:36 > 0:13:37and that's why it's not working.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40And the last thing you want is to be electrocuted.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44As if electricity and water weren't a dangerous enough mix,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Mum's worried that her gas fire is now coming away from the wall.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51This fire's been condemned, so they've said obviously
0:13:51 > 0:13:53not to use that.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55And here's another damaged gas appliance.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58To stay safe, these need to be checked by a gas engineer
0:13:58 > 0:14:00every year.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03The tenant says the gas fire has already been condemned.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07With the property falling short in so many other ways,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Neena wants to check whether the gas supply has been capped
0:14:11 > 0:14:13so it can't escape from the pipes.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Is that the isolation valve?
0:14:16 > 0:14:17- We've got the stopper.- For the gas?
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Yes. You can see outside in that as well.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It gets really cold.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24It's going to be causing a draft to come into the room.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27He needs to obviously cover that outside.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It's another in a long line of concerns with this property.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33It's clear this home is quite some way from meeting
0:14:33 > 0:14:34acceptable safety standards.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39My main worries are the lady's got no hot water,
0:14:39 > 0:14:41she's got no heating.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45She's got, potentially, a risk gas fire that's been condemned.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48We don't know whether the gas fire has been capped off or not.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51So that's a concern that we need to find out immediately.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55The landlord will be ordered to get a working boiler into the house
0:14:55 > 0:14:57within nine days and if he doesn't,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01the council will get the work done and send him the bill.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- I'll be in touch, all right? - Bye.- Thank you, bye-bye. Bye.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Keeping this family safe from harm is Neena's main concern
0:15:10 > 0:15:13and the landlord will now have to fix all the problems
0:15:13 > 0:15:14she's highlighted.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19I will be sending him a hazard awareness notice,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23which is a schedule of works, basically,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26detailing and outlining what the issues are
0:15:26 > 0:15:28and what remedies he should be looking at.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30If he doesn't comply with the notice,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32we can actually enforce it, or he can be prosecuted.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43The landlord does not accept responsibility
0:15:43 > 0:15:46for all the disrepair reported at the property, but they reacted
0:15:46 > 0:15:49quickly once the council got in touch
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and say the main repairs are done and the council can now return
0:15:52 > 0:15:53to inspect the work.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58When it comes to safety,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01we might be able to control what happens in our own homes
0:16:01 > 0:16:05but, whether it's anti-social behaviour or a neglected property
0:16:05 > 0:16:09next door, sometimes it's our neighbours who could be putting
0:16:09 > 0:16:11our health and safety at risk.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Here in Mid Suffolk, there are over 3,000 households
0:16:17 > 0:16:19in council properties.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Housing officer Andrew Weavers is part of the team responsible
0:16:24 > 0:16:27for making sure they remain habitable and safe for residents.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29And, trust me, it's a job that never stops.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- Andrew Weavers.- Oh, hello. - How are you?
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- Not bad, yourself? - Yeah, very well, thank you.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- Good, good, good.- What have you got for me today?
0:16:39 > 0:16:43We've had fire safety checks on a number of our properties.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I've been tasked, really, to go around and have a good look at them
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and see what's occurring. It's generally, sort of,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52the communal areas have been cluttered and people have been
0:16:52 > 0:16:54placing items in the areas they really shouldn't.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Some tenants might see this as a bit of a nuisance,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02but the risks posed by common clutter are all too real.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10To be fair, after Grenfell, I think we've had all of our sites
0:17:10 > 0:17:13been inspected by the Fire Service.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16So, they've gone along and they've identified the flats that may have
0:17:16 > 0:17:20problems, and as much as we can make sure the building is safe,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23the tenant's got to make sure that the communal areas
0:17:23 > 0:17:24are safe, as well.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26So, in their assessment, there is a problem?
0:17:26 > 0:17:28This is not just a spot check,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30there's a reason to be going to have a look this place?
0:17:30 > 0:17:31Oh, absolutely.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39We've all done it - put something out of sight and out of mind.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42But when a shared area within a building becomes a dumping ground,
0:17:42 > 0:17:46it's not only inconsiderate, it could be downright dangerous.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Hello, there. Are you all right?
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- Hello.- I'm from the local council.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59What I'm doing today is, obviously because of safety issues with flats,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02we are under pressure to come and have a look at all the flats
0:18:02 > 0:18:05that we own and look for fire safety issues.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08How much of this stuff... Does this belong to you, or this one?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- That's next door's.- Next door.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13So, straightaway, we've got a shoe rack there,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16which is right in front of the boiler cupboard. Which...
0:18:16 > 0:18:19I'll wait and see what Andrew says, but it doesn't feel right to me.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Your boiler cupboard, you should have access to all the time.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23It's gas, it gets hot.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25This prevents access and is also combustible.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30This communal area is overflowing with someone's personal effects
0:18:30 > 0:18:35and there's more to this boiler cupboard than meets the eye.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37One of the things that was brought to our attention was that...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40The idea that this flat's got a tumble dryer
0:18:40 > 0:18:43operating in a store cupboard.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- Yeah.- Which is either going to be...
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Is it that one, or is it that one there?
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Well, I'll have to use my Sherlock Holmes impression here
0:18:50 > 0:18:52and I think I can see a plug going into that cupboard,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55so that's where it must be.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59I mean, the idea of using a tumble dryer in a cupboard,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02enclosed in a cupboard, straightaway that strikes me as being...
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Oh, yeah, look. Yeah. Not a great idea.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06- Not a brilliant idea.- No.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11No, not just not a good idea, really dangerous.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14"But how dangerous can a tumble dryer be?" I hear you ask.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Well, what if I told you these types of white goods are responsible
0:19:17 > 0:19:22for around five fires every day in England alone.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25And this is why the Fire Service has brought this
0:19:25 > 0:19:28to our attention, you see. You can't keep an eye on it there, can you,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- at all, anyway? - I mean, tumble dryers do go wrong.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- Yeah.- You've got the boiler right above it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- Yeah.- So, you've got a tumble dryer, which is sitting in an
0:19:36 > 0:19:39enclosed space, and then gradually heating up.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- Yeah.- And then you've got a supply of gas directly above it.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- It's not good, is it? - That's really not good.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47No, this white good is anything but good.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50In fact, a gas explosion could be catastrophic for everyone
0:19:50 > 0:19:51living in this building.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58So we've got four flats in this block.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00A fire that starts here...
0:20:00 > 0:20:01Actually, you're not talking about a fire,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04you're talking about an explosion, really.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Yeah.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10It feels like something that needs to be sorted straightaway.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Have you got the power actually to do that, to take the machine away?
0:20:14 > 0:20:16All I can say is that it's the tenant's responsibility
0:20:16 > 0:20:19to get that shifted. If they don't, then we'll have to just say,
0:20:19 > 0:20:21"Right, if you don't, we will."
0:20:23 > 0:20:26The mission to keep things spick, span and, most importantly, safe
0:20:26 > 0:20:28continues upstairs.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32So these are new worktops...
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- ..for somebody.- Yes.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37And we've got carpet as well.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40From a safety perspective, it's not in the way.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45No. It's not blocking the exits and that but really,
0:20:45 > 0:20:46it should be clear.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49This shouldn't be really an extension of your home.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51And also, if you're going to complain about downstairs,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53you leave this as it is, then...
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- It's got to be consistent.- Yeah.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57It's time to knock on some doors.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Hello. Sorry for disturbing you.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05I'm Andrew. I'm from the council.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Um, would you mind...
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Do you know whose bits and pieces they are over here?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- They're mine. - They're yours, are they?
0:21:11 > 0:21:13I was wondering if you could get them cleared for us?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- Yeah, they're going tomorrow. - Brilliant.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18We've got to make sure the buildings are safe, but we've also...
0:21:18 > 0:21:20The people that live in them have got some
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- sort of responsibility as well. - Of course.- So, unfortunately,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26that does mean that you're going to have someone like myself come along
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and say, "We must get the communal areas clear."
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Thank you very much.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35The potential here for disaster may seem minimal, but left unchecked,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38it could all too easily become a problem.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42And so, once again, this is about fire safety.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44This is making sure, you know,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48that these areas are actually as clear as they can be
0:21:48 > 0:21:52and therefore not presenting a risk or fuel to any fire.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57Absolutely. I just think it's really important to get it done properly.
0:21:57 > 0:21:58And this is the time to do it.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01This is when the message is fresh in people's minds that, you know,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03a terrible thing has happened.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06It has actually made it real for some of these people.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08So, it may be a small thing that I'm asking,
0:22:08 > 0:22:12but we've got quite a few little sets of flats all over the district
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and there might be some that are a lot worse than this.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21We all know now that serious fires can start with household appliances
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and it goes to underline the importance of the work
0:22:24 > 0:22:27that housing officers like Andrew are doing across the country.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37Well, since we filmed,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40the tumble dryer in the cupboard is no longer being used.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43The owner has promised Andrew they'll get rid of it soon.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46The tenants are also in the process of clearing the hallways
0:22:46 > 0:22:48and stairwells of all that clutter.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Back in Smethwick, it's two weeks since our inspection
0:22:55 > 0:22:58of Ali and his neighbour's flats in the same block above the takeaway
0:22:58 > 0:23:00that caught fire.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Having now seen both flats and issued notices to the landlords,
0:23:03 > 0:23:04Richard has some news.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Richard, you've got a desk full of paperwork there,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11some of it with very big writing on indeed.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Yeah, well, we want to get people's attention, really.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16So, obviously, the properties that we went to the other week,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19we've obviously asked the owners to shut the building down
0:23:19 > 0:23:22and do that voluntarily. I don't think that they've done that.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24So what we're going to have to do is ramp it up to the next level now,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27which is the service of an emergency prohibition order.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29What that basically means is we are legally
0:23:29 > 0:23:31shutting the building down. It's kind of boots on the ground,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34making people aware of what's going on, getting signs up
0:23:34 > 0:23:36in the building, serving notices and moving people out.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Obviously not everybody is going to be happy about moving out.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43We've got to give them the support so that they understand that they're
0:23:43 > 0:23:45not just being thrown out onto the street,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48but that the council is extracting them and rehousing them.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50They've done nothing wrong, have they?
0:23:50 > 0:23:53They've just ended up in a property that isn't fit to live in
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and it's the owner that's got to deal with that.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Shutting down a property is a housing officer's last resort.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03This could be uncomfortable because we're letting people know
0:24:03 > 0:24:05that they have to move out of their homes
0:24:05 > 0:24:08and some of them are really quite established in these properties.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11So the idea that they're going to move out with very short notice
0:24:11 > 0:24:15is going to be a difficult one to explain.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22The first to get the news is Ali, who, with his grandfather,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24was at home when the fire broke out below.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26HE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Not sure there's anyone in, is there?
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Ali, it's Richard from Sandwell Council.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38- Is he there?- Right. It seems that people aren't here,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40so unfortunately I'm going to have to -
0:24:40 > 0:24:43which is probably the worst way to do it -
0:24:43 > 0:24:45put a notice up on the door like this.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49And pretty much leave it for the tenants to find.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Next, it's the families living next door.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Today, just one of the families is home.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Hello. How are you, are you OK?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Are we OK to come in?
0:25:04 > 0:25:05I need to talk to you.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07We've served a notice on this property today.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Everybody has to... I know it sounds quite a shocking thing to say,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13but everyone's going to have to move out.
0:25:13 > 0:25:14This building's not safe.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17So we're going to have to shut it down.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18I understand it's Diwali today.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20I'm so sorry about that.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Unfortunately, we've got to shut it down.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I mean, of all the days.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27But what do you do? Do you put it off?
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Do you leave it another day?
0:25:29 > 0:25:31You know, just wait till tomorrow
0:25:31 > 0:25:33and then just hope everyone's going to be safe?
0:25:35 > 0:25:36You can't really do that.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Can I give you a number to call?
0:25:38 > 0:25:40And then they will sort you somewhere to go tonight.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Did the landlord not tell you about this, that this was happening?
0:25:43 > 0:25:44Because we told him two weeks ago.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46We've been put in a difficult situation here today.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49We've had to turn up on a rainy day when it's Diwali
0:25:49 > 0:25:51and had to tell people to move for their own safety.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52- OK.- And that is on the landlord.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55If they can move back in when the building's been brought up to spec,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58then that's great. We can't have a little child in this building when,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01you know, if there's a fire downstairs, there's no warning,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03there's no separation. They could be trapped.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06You know, they could end up trying to escape through a roof there that
0:26:06 > 0:26:08they drop through into a burning room.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11When you finish work on a day like today, do you...
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Do you still end up churning through the decisions
0:26:15 > 0:26:16you've made during that day
0:26:16 > 0:26:19and the impact that it's going to have on people?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Yeah, you get home and you think of those people,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24and you're tucking into your dinner, and you're thinking,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26"Gosh, you know, what's happening to them now?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29"What's their... You know, do they feel that their future's
0:26:29 > 0:26:31"now uncertain?" And unfortunately, sometimes the
0:26:31 > 0:26:33people you're trying to help, they don't realise that
0:26:33 > 0:26:35you are trying to help them.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40There was a fire next door.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Diwali, the festival of light, fireworks are going to be
0:26:43 > 0:26:46going off left, right and centre today. It only takes a firework to
0:26:46 > 0:26:47land through a window, start a fire.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50There's two families in there that we know will be sleeping
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- somewhere else tonight.- Yeah.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55And hopefully Rich can sleep easier tonight knowing that
0:26:55 > 0:26:59if the shops do have another fire, the tenants either won't be there,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01or they'll be better prepared.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08You feel like this horrible tool of bureaucracy on one side where you're
0:27:08 > 0:27:11serving papers and pinning up notices on doors
0:27:11 > 0:27:15and ushering people out of their homes, getting them to pack quickly,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17but at the same time...
0:27:17 > 0:27:19that saves lives.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Boring regulation and boring bureaucracy and clipboards
0:27:23 > 0:27:26and court orders actually save lives.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27So...
0:27:29 > 0:27:32..that's what... If being a busybody is what it takes,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34then, sadly, you've got to be a busybody.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Well, despite the council's offer to rehouse the tenants,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44the landlord rehoused them himself.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46The flats are now empty.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Let's hope Ali and the families are now in safer,
0:27:48 > 0:27:49more secure accommodation.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Nothing is worse when you're tucked up in bed at night
0:27:55 > 0:27:58than the sound of an animal scratching,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00especially if you don't have pets!
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Mice or rats can quickly become a problem for householders,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07not only because they cause damage to properties,
0:28:07 > 0:28:08they can spread disease.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11So it's vital they're dealt with quickly.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I don't imagine that's very good for you, having that in your house.
0:28:15 > 0:28:20They carry disease, so potentially have an effect on you in that sense.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24Yes, one or two mice came in the kitchen last year or this year.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28I think that the bins outside were overflowing.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Generally speaking, obviously they're going to carry diseases.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Obviously, their faeces are going to be in my house
0:28:33 > 0:28:36and that would worry me about where that's being generated.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39They really scare me. I don't want to have them in my house.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Yeah, it's really scary to have them, yeah.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47In Peterborough, housing officers David Marshall and Gareth Brighton
0:28:47 > 0:28:50are on their way to inspect some privately rented flats
0:28:50 > 0:28:52after being tipped off that the residents' health
0:28:52 > 0:28:55is being put at risk by some very unwelcome visitors.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01A couple of the guys have been out on a licensing visit.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06And I think there's some flats there...
0:29:06 > 0:29:09That there's a problem with rats, our favourite.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11I love a good rat.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Yeah. So, quite a lot of rats, I think, around the courtyard area
0:29:14 > 0:29:17and they're actually entering.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19I think they said there was a disabled guy on the ground floor
0:29:19 > 0:29:22and when he opens his windows, rats are trying to get in.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24So we're going to go and
0:29:24 > 0:29:27have a look and see if there's something we can do under PDPA.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act is a piece of legislation
0:29:32 > 0:29:35that allows councils to require property owners
0:29:35 > 0:29:39to get rid of rodents on their land.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41But there's nothing to suggest a rat problem at the front
0:29:41 > 0:29:44of this city centre Victorian house.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45So, what about the back?
0:29:48 > 0:29:50So that must be the window they're on about.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54And it doesn't take them long to see disturbing evidence of vermin.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Yeah, these are burrows, look.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00The chap, I think, in this dwelling here,
0:30:00 > 0:30:02has reported when he opens - this is a window here -
0:30:02 > 0:30:06when he slides that sash window up, rats are trying to enter
0:30:06 > 0:30:07into his accommodation.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14No-one wants rat droppings right outside their window.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18They carry all sorts of bugs and diseases which can be passed
0:30:18 > 0:30:22to humans, including salmonella and E. coli.
0:30:22 > 0:30:28David and Gareth are taking this report of vermin very seriously.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32The first bit of evidence of rats, I would say, is this one here.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34I wouldn't want that window open.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38We've got more droppings and things here.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Again, this is a window into someone's accommodation.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42The thought that kids might be exposed to vermin
0:30:42 > 0:30:44is pretty hard to take.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46The last thing you want to see is rat droppings
0:30:46 > 0:30:47around a child's buggy.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51These look like burrows to me.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Rats thrive on rubbish and litter
0:30:53 > 0:30:55and somebody's clearly been using this patch of garden
0:30:55 > 0:30:57without bothering to pick up after themselves.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01Unused areas of land can harbour pests.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03But landlords are responsible for removing any debris
0:31:03 > 0:31:05that could be making it worse.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09I think it will be the accumulations that are attracting the rats.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11You've got to start looking at how these accumulations
0:31:11 > 0:31:12are getting in here.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16- Yeah.- Look.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20This neighbour has been doing her best to keep the garden clear,
0:31:20 > 0:31:24but the rat problem is being made worse by some other non-residents.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30The lady tenant has just said that homeless people sometimes
0:31:30 > 0:31:33congregate here and they're able to get through because obviously
0:31:33 > 0:31:36there's a gap in the fence on the curtilage of the properties.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38The list of problems here is piling up.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Not maintaining fences means poor security,
0:31:41 > 0:31:43potentially risking the tenants' safety.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50If we can secure that, that should certainly alleviate it.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53After seeing clear evidence of rats in the back garden,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56they're going to check up on a tenant with disabilities
0:31:56 > 0:32:00who's too afraid to open his windows in case the rats come in.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01Hello, I'm from the City Council.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03- Hello.- Hello, mate. Sorry to bother you.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06We're from the City Council, from the housing team.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10We've had a report of some problems with rats.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15How many? One, two, three, four?
0:32:15 > 0:32:17- Big!- Big.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- Big problem?- Big!
0:32:19 > 0:32:22He's just pointing out all the droppings that we can see.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Yeah. OK.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Joseph has been in the flat for just under a year.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30He's got a range of health problems, including breathing difficulties.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Living in a flat with windows he can't open is having a huge impact
0:32:35 > 0:32:37on his quality of life.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40It's windy?
0:32:44 > 0:32:45There's oxygen.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48It's a machine or something.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51No. Yeah. What Joseph is telling me is that he's got some
0:32:51 > 0:32:55breathing problems and he certainly would benefit from fresh air.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57But at the moment, he's not opening his windows because
0:32:57 > 0:32:59he's worried he's going to get vermin coming in.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02So, yeah. Certainly there's...
0:33:02 > 0:33:03It's a pressing issue for him.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Not one or two.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07- Too much.- Too much. Lots of rats.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08Lots of them.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10He may be putting a brave face on it,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13but this is clearly affecting Joseph's health.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17So Gareth and David will have to take action immediately
0:33:17 > 0:33:19to clear the garden of vermin.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22The council will speak to the landlord
0:33:22 > 0:33:27and we will make sure that he does some things to stop the problem, OK?
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Get rid of the rats. OK?
0:33:29 > 0:33:33But it's not only the windows that are giving David cause for concern.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37The amount of room in the flat is highlighting another problem.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40There certainly isn't a vast amount of space in here, is there?
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Are we able to have a look through there? Are we able to...
0:33:43 > 0:33:44- Yes.- .. go through there?
0:33:44 > 0:33:47There's one important piece of furniture that's pretty conspicuous
0:33:47 > 0:33:49by its absence.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50There isn't a bed.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52This. This.
0:33:52 > 0:33:53This.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Because I have a problem, this.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00Yeah.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03- You need to sit up. - Because this problem, use mask.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Joseph's breathing difficulties mean he finds
0:34:07 > 0:34:10it more comfortable to sleep in a chair,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13but is it a good long-term solution?
0:34:13 > 0:34:16Yeah, there's just a small bathroom through there.
0:34:16 > 0:34:17So, really, this is it.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21The amount of space in which you live can affect
0:34:21 > 0:34:23your mental and physical health.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28By law, a room like this should be at least 13 square metres in size.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31While Joseph's clearly doing his best to make the most of his
0:34:31 > 0:34:33tiny bedsit, it can't be easy living here.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37When space is limited, everything else is magnified.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42So, yeah, risk of fire, risk of falls, trips and things like that.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45You know, simple things, like maybe knocking a pan off the hob.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48If you haven't got a lot of circulation space, it's more likely.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51These are all things we have to think about when we look at space.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53And let's not forget the
0:34:53 > 0:34:56mental effects, the psychological issues that people can have
0:34:56 > 0:34:59if they live their whole lives in a confined space.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02So it's also something we need to think about.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Well, within a week, the landlord had a digger in
0:35:06 > 0:35:10to clear the land outside Joseph's flat and set some rat traps.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12The council found that although Joseph's room did meet
0:35:12 > 0:35:14the minimum space requirements,
0:35:14 > 0:35:17they're now helping him to find more suitable accommodation.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26With more than 200,000 families on the social housing waiting list
0:35:26 > 0:35:29in London, local authorities make regular checks on their
0:35:29 > 0:35:33council homes to make sure that they are being occupied
0:35:33 > 0:35:37by legitimate tenants and not sublet to people who aren't
0:35:37 > 0:35:38in the most need of them.
0:35:40 > 0:35:41In the London borough of Havering,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44I'm joining housing officer Quesha Nicholls
0:35:44 > 0:35:47on an audit of council properties to check that tenants
0:35:47 > 0:35:48are who they say they are.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53The purpose of the audit, I mean, it's got a couple
0:35:53 > 0:35:55of purposes, really.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57- Yeah, definitely. - Presumably, we are there to look
0:35:57 > 0:36:00- and see that things are safe?- Yeah. - In the first instance,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02you want to make sure that people are, you know,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05in the right property, in a safe property,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09and things haven't been left to go wrong, to possibly harm them.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Of course, yeah.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14But then also to make sure you've got the right people
0:36:14 > 0:36:15in the right property.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Audit visits are unannounced to catch out people
0:36:19 > 0:36:22if they're cheating the system.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24From a safety point of view, it's important councils know exactly
0:36:24 > 0:36:26who is living in their properties.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- All right.- Hello, Adam?
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- Yeah.- Hiya. I'm Quesha from Havering.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35You all right? Come in.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Quesha's first job is to check the tenant's ID
0:36:39 > 0:36:43and to make sure he is the tenant registered to the property.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- And it's a joint tenancy? - It is.- Yeah.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50Then she wants to check there are no problems in the flat that could put
0:36:50 > 0:36:52the tenant or neighbours in danger.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57- So do you mind if I have a little nose around?- No, no.- Is that OK?
0:36:57 > 0:37:01- Feel free.- Yeah.- If we have a look behind the telly, you can see...
0:37:01 > 0:37:03- Terrible wiring.- ..a lot of wiring.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04A lot of wiring going on here, Adam.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Overloading a socket is all too easy.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11But if the plugged-in appliances exceed the maximum rating
0:37:11 > 0:37:14for the extension, it could overheat and catch fire.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19The problem with a lot of properties,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21council properties like this,
0:37:21 > 0:37:26they were built, I would say, in the '30s for this block, at a guess,
0:37:26 > 0:37:31and the electrical provision in them is still quite basic.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33And you can see someone like Adam, he's a young guy,
0:37:33 > 0:37:37he's got a lot of electrical products and he needs to use them.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39He needs to keep them on, charge them, whatever.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42What happens, then, is you have a fire risk
0:37:42 > 0:37:45because if you overload a socket, and it blows,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47it can set fire to things around it
0:37:47 > 0:37:49and there's possibly a risk of that here.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56I can see that you're kind of stuck for space here but we do say
0:37:56 > 0:37:59have the bed not leaning against the wall
0:37:59 > 0:38:02because it can trap moisture behind there.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05And in the kitchen, there's something else worrying Quesha.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09- I've got a very, very poor sense of smell.- Do you?
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Quesha, as soon as you came in here, you thought you smelt gas.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15This is dangerous.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19If left untended, gas leaks could lead to an explosion.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22If you smell gas, call your supplier immediately.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29Adam said to me that his girlfriend that lives with him has smelt gas
0:38:29 > 0:38:31before as well, so when I hear...
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- Those two things together. - ..that's two... Yeah.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35So, just to ensure for now,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38make sure everything's turned off, but it's something that,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41as of today, I will refer.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43And that's not the only danger in here.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Obviously, the kitchen's a high-risk room, isn't it?
0:38:45 > 0:38:48It's one of those rooms, you've got to get it right.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49- You do.- I have noticed, Adam,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53that you keep your plastic bags behind the fridge.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Now, I wouldn't do that, personally.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57No, that's fair enough.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Just because it can get quite hot behind a fridge
0:38:59 > 0:39:02and what you're doing is, you're sticking a load of fuel
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- right behind... - Right behind it, yeah.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- And plastic.- ..the heat there, so if you could find somewhere else
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- to stick those.- I will definitely pull them out.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11It might seem overcautious but in fact,
0:39:11 > 0:39:15fridge freezers are one of the most likely white goods to catch fire.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- See you later.- The next time we do one of these
0:39:17 > 0:39:19will probably be in about a year, yeah?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- All right, then. See you. - Cheers.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24It's so easy for what seem like small safety issues
0:39:24 > 0:39:26to become a much bigger problem.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28If we can prevent that, it's a job well done.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Quesha and I have one more tenancy check to do.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37OK, so another couple of names for a tenancy check.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Anything special about these or are these selected at random?
0:39:40 > 0:39:41Selected at random.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44The first two we had were quite young, a young couple.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45This one's slightly older.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50They're even older than me, and that is a very small group of people!
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Yeah, right!
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Havering, on the Essex-London border, not only has one of the
0:39:58 > 0:40:01fastest-growing populations, but also the highest proportion
0:40:01 > 0:40:03of older people for a London borough.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- Hello.- Hello. Brenda?- Yeah.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Thanks ever so much.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Would I be able to ask for some photo ID?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Once Quesha's happy that Brenda and Bob really are,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24well, Brenda and Bob, we can find out how they're getting on.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28How long have you been in?
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Since 17th of July.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32This place was in a terrible state.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35It was rotten, and I mean rotten.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38There was all marks along the wall, you know,
0:40:38 > 0:40:39because it's had wallpaper up.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42And I said to them, you know, "I mean, we've got dry rot
0:40:42 > 0:40:43"or something."
0:40:43 > 0:40:45So there was a lot of damp, was there?
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Well, it had been flooded. You know, we didn't know.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50This isn't good news.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Mould and damp can aggravate respiratory infections and allergies
0:40:54 > 0:40:56if left untreated.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Are we still trying to sort out the damp within the property?
0:41:00 > 0:41:02They've done something to the wall in the bedroom,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- like, where the window is. - OK, they've repaired it, yeah?
0:41:05 > 0:41:08That can have an effect on your joints and your back and your leg,
0:41:08 > 0:41:10- things of that nature.- Yeah.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11Especially going into the winter,
0:41:11 > 0:41:15so we need to make sure that that's actually done.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16This is really important
0:41:16 > 0:41:19because living in a cold house is associated with colds,
0:41:19 > 0:41:23flu and arthritis.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26The council have come and they've sorted it out, but I want to see for
0:41:26 > 0:41:29myself if it's been completely resolved
0:41:29 > 0:41:31because it's easy for it to come back.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35So it's something that we would need to definitely look into to be sure.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- Yeah.- And sometimes, these things, they take treatment after treatment,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41not just a one-off and then, you know, everything is fine.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43When she gets back to the office, Quesha will check
0:41:43 > 0:41:46whether the maintenance team are satisfied that Bob and Brenda's home
0:41:46 > 0:41:49is now better protected from mildew and damp.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- Bye.- Bye!
0:41:52 > 0:41:55So Bob and Brenda there, it does smell a bit in there,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- it is damp.- You can smell the damp slightly when you're in there
0:41:58 > 0:42:02but then, as I said, when you do treat damp,
0:42:02 > 0:42:04it doesn't instantly just disappear.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07So what we're looking at there is, has it been treated
0:42:07 > 0:42:10and it's fine, but it's just a matter of time,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12or do we need to revisit it and have them treat it again?
0:42:12 > 0:42:14Yeah, because you can't muck about with damp.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18- Yeah.- Especially, you know, they're older than me, even.- Yeah.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- And, you know, at that age...- Just.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Just! You've got to... You've got to look after your respiratory system.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26We want to make sure that it's done as soon as possible.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27- Shall we?- Yeah, let's go.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Well, the council looked into the suspicious smell of gas
0:42:32 > 0:42:35in Adam's flat and found there was no further work required.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Meanwhile, it turns out Bob and Brenda's flat doesn't have dry rot.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42The council say the work that had already been carried out
0:42:42 > 0:42:44should solve the damp problem.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53Well, as we've just seen, being a housing officer means a daily dose
0:42:53 > 0:42:55of tough choices and difficult decisions,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58but it's all in a day's work for the men and women
0:42:58 > 0:43:02fighting to ensure we can enjoy a safe and hazard-free place to call
0:43:02 > 0:43:04home. Join me again next time.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07I'll be back on the front line with the housing enforcers.