'It's systematic: residents have a voice but repairs are not made'

CAMPAIGNERS PLEAD FOR PROGRESS ON MAINTAINING SOCIAL HOUSING AS NEW LAW COMES INTO EFFECT

- By DANIEL HOLLAND

DANGEROUS and “uninhabitable” council flats in Newcastle plagued by disgusting damp and mould must be repaired urgently, campaigners have pleaded.

Residents of a housing block in the city's east end have demanded action, amid growing concern at the major repairs required in a series of multi-storey tower blocks.

Members of community group Food and Solidarity say that people in Breamish House, in Battlefield, are enduring dismal conditions.

They confronted Newcastle City Council housing chiefs last week and revealed how the damp in one man's flat had become so bad that it had caused his bathroom ceiling to collapse, while the walls are wet and covered in black mould.

Today, Awaab's Law comes into force, requiring social landlords to fix reported damp, mould and emergency repairs in strict time frames.

Council housing bosses admitted that, having met residents after they came to a cabinet meeting to complain about the state of the building, the conditions in Breamish House are “unacceptable and fall significantly short of the standards we are committed to”.

Emergency repairs were made at three flats last week. A full inspection of the building is being done.