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Cllr Joan Coupland |
‘HfI are messing up the homes they’re supposed to be fixing’
Former mayor voices concern over quality of work carried out by contractors
ELECTRICAL wires hanging loose, poky kitchens and cupboards abandoned on the floor – these are among a catalogue of complaints by tenants of an estate next door to Islington Town Hall.
Contractors Mansell – given the accolade of “building contractor of the year” by one construction magazine – have embarked on a programme of improving flats at Tyndale Mansions in Upper Street, including installing new kitchens, bathrooms and toilets, electrics and radiators, on behalf of the council’s housing agency Homes for Islington (HfI).
But former mayor Labour Councillor Joan Coupland says she has been inundated with complaints about the work.
Single mother Joanne Gay, who has children aged 5 and 12, tearfully explained that her kitchen was difficult to use because four cupboards, taken down on advice from the fire brigade before work began, had not been put back or replaced.
She added: “One of the cupboards fell down so they considered them dangerous. But instead of putting the cupboards back on the wall or somewhere safe they’ve been left sitting on the floor.
“I’m a single mum and I can’t put these cupboards back. I need a decent kitchen.”
Ms Gay was also unhappy with the way electric wiring had been replaced at her flat.
“They took the old wiring out and made a mess of the ceiling when they put a new wire trunking system in,” she said. “I believe they may have also left live wires hanging out.”
Single mother of five Nina Grima, with three younger children living with her at home, got a new kitchen that is a lot smaller than her old one.
Ms Grima, who has lived on the estate for 15 years, said: “Previously I had five cupboards. Now I’ve got three cupboards and one little drawer. There’s no space for storage and no worktops.
“The electrics are very untidy. They have left lots of gaps and holes in the work. They’ve left wires hanging down and they expect me to complete the work.”
On top of that, she added, the contractors have refused to put in a new bathroom and toilet in her flat.
“Three years ago my old bath fell off the wall so I was given a new one,” she said. “Now they have said I can’t have a new bathroom. I’ve got an old Victorian toilet and a sink which is falling off the wall.”
Carlos Chenao, 41, a customer relations manager with a pest control firm, has lived on the estate for 11 years.
“I’d re-decorated my flat a few months before the contractors started work,” he said. “They ruined all that. While they worked on the roof water leaked into my bedroom, soaking a carpet. I wasn’t able to claim compensation because I had no insurance.”
Cllr Coupland said: “We know these are small flats. Some tenants have such small kitchens they have to keep fridge freezers in their sitting rooms. It is a health and safety issue.
“But the contractors, presumably under guidance from HfI, haven’t made space for them in the new kitchens.
“HFI must get the contractors to go back into the flats where there are problems and put right everything that needs doing. They are supposed to be improving homes but they appear to be messing them up.”
A HFI spokesman said: “When installing new kitchens we involve the tenant and ensure that they are happy and have approved the design before installation takes place. We always inspect after the works are finished to deal with any issues and make sure the tenant is satisfied.
“We have met with Ms Grima, who asked for additional kitchen cupboards space, and we are meeting her again to arrange this and to ensure all issues have been dealt with.
“Mr Chenao’s flat suffered from a leak during works to the roof. The damage could not be assessed by the contractor’s loss adjusters for compensation as Mr Chenao threw his carpet away before the loss adjuster was able to see it and make an assessment.
“Ms Gay reported problems with her kitchen cupboards and we have had the kitchen inspected by our repairs contractor.
“We are speaking to the contractor to find out why the cupboards have not yet been replaced and will arrange for one of our officers to meet her and ensure this is dealt with quickly.” |
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