‘Stressed’ resident criticises housing provider after Daventry house left in 'mouldy and unsafe conditions'

The Daventry man claims he has been asking PA Housing to resolve the issues for more than a year and a half
Catalina Constantin
By Catalina Constantin
Published 25th Oct 2023, 14:44 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2023, 14:44 BST
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A father-of-one, who claims his Daventry house has been left in “mouldy and unsafe conditions”, has criticised a housing provider as he says he has been trying to get the issues resolved for more than a year.

After almost six years of residence in Daventry, 39-year-old Tim Wills asked West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to move him out of the house, which he claims left him “mentally and physically unwell”.

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Tim had been living in St James Street in Daventry for more than a year before he said “things started to go sour.”

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Tim Wills claims he has been trying to reach PA Housing for more than a year and a half to resolve the issues with no success.Tim Wills claims he has been trying to reach PA Housing for more than a year and a half to resolve the issues with no success.
Tim Wills claims he has been trying to reach PA Housing for more than a year and a half to resolve the issues with no success.

Tim says he contacted his landlord, PA Housing, 18 months ago, as he claims a water leak through the walls was “seriously affecting his physical and emotional well-being”.

“It’s just bringing me down. I’m stressed,” said Tim.

Tim says the water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within the house.

“It stinks. It stinks of dampness. It stinks of mould. The whole house stinks,” said Tim.

The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.
The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.

According to Tim, PA Housing just supplied a dehumidifier.

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“A dehumidifier is alright in a damp house, but my house is not damp, it is wet. I had running water under the floor and I kept saying to them that it’s pointless, it’s pointless, but they wouldn’t listen,” said Tim.

Over the months, Tim tried to contact PA Housing, but he received letters from their solicitors telling him that he was no longer able to do so via phone, email, or social media.

Charles Ellis, executive director of asset management at PA Housing, said: “We are very sorry Mr Wills has been experiencing problems with his home.

The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.
The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.

“We have fixed a number of leaks and are continuing to investigate further issues. We are in regular contact with Mr Wills on this and are determined to find a solution as soon as possible.”

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Tim contacted WNC to arrange for his relocation. In a letter, seen by this newspaper, Tim's application was approved for the Daventry Housing Register in December 2022 under the 'Priority Band A' category. Tim said that nothing has been settled since.

“I just keep getting sharp, short messages that treat me as if I’ve done something wrong. That’s all I keep coming across,” said Tim.

Tim made contact with WNC's environmental health department. After reviewing the surveyor's report, photos, and correspondence, a housing enforcement officer from WNC's private sector housing agreed with PA Housing on September 26, via an email seen by this newspaper, that they would have 28 days - by October 24 - to inspect the subfloor and schedule the necessary repairs.

The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.
The water leak led to the discovery of black mould and dampness on the walls, plaster and concrete falling off the walls in the kitchen, “one wall soaking wet, a water line in the living room,” and rotten woodwork and other broken fixtures within Tim's house.

“We last visited the property on Friday October 13 and remain committed to improving communications with Mr Wills and resolving the issue as quickly as we can,” said Charles Ellis, from PA Housing.

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However, Tim claims it was June when he last heard from PA Housing.

PA Housing agreed to carry out the inspection on October 24 at 3pm.

“They’ve left it until the very, very last day. I’m not going to let this carry on. I’m fighting back,” said Tim.

The furniture and laminate floor must be moved for the subfloor to be inspected before the remaining work can be scheduled and the job can be finished.

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“Nobody will explain to me how I am going to live. As soon as this floor gets ripped up, this place is going to stink. They left it until the winter, so I can’t even have the windows open.

“I just don’t know how they’re going to do it. No one wants to tell me, not even environmental health. I’ve asked this question multiple times now. Please, somebody tell me what’s going on. Is this going to be safe? Nobody has responded at all,” said Tim.

A WNC spokesperson said: “We are aware of the position being faced by Mr Wills, and are in dialogue with PA Housing – his landlord – who are seeking to resolve the situation. Whilst this is ongoing it would not be appropriate for us to provide any further comments.”

Related topics:DaventryWest Northamptonshire Council