An insult to this couple

Published: 13 May, 2011

• I FIND it incredible that a person living in a flat or a house in the United Kingdom in the 21st century should be without a bath or shower. I take mine for granted.

Over a month ago, I was contacted by an elderly Islington Council tenant, living in a flat in Tollington ward managed by Homes for Islington (HfI), who said she had Decent Homes work done to her kitchen and bathroom last July and since then she and her disabled husband have had no bath or shower. 

The problem was that builders ripped out the bath to install a walk-in shower because of her husband’s disability. 

Incidentally, she said no hot water ever came out of the newly installed, extra-long sensor tap of her hand-basin. On inspection, it would appear the shower tray is too shallow and the metre-or-so-high doors do not meet the base. The first time it was tested, water poured onto the floor. If it were used it would flood this flat and the one below.  

Since July, around a dozen workers have been to the property to try to resolve the problem and more minor plumbing problems.

The contractor has changed a sensor tap, which solves the hot water problem, but there is still no functioning shower.

The couple received an insulting  £25 compensation from HfI.

ORIEL HUTCHINSON 
Organising secretary, Islington Conservative Federation