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Expelled fire risk surveyor made my flat unsaleable

The Observer

|

April 13, 2025

I am trapped in a shared-ownership flat, which is proving impossible to sell because the fire safety engineer who surveyed the block is accused of forging certificates required by mortgage lenders.

- Anna Tims

I own 45% of my home and pay rent on the remaining 55% to Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH). The building has a valid fire risk certificate signed by Adam Kiziak of Tri Fire, but because he was later suspended pending investigation, lenders of prospective buyers view my flat as risky. MTVH is unable to give a timeline of when this will all be sorted out, yet is happy to raise rents. Moreover, it waited three months to inform us, during which time my flat was pointlessly on sale. This is my first home, but it’s beginning to seem like a prison.

ZV, Stevenage

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