SEVERE STRUCTURAL damage neglected by landlords was uncovered to Student Direct this week.
The properties in Hulme, Caminada House and Aura Court, are making life a "nightmare" for residents, as photos taken by a tenant indicate.
Andy Griffiths, a former University of Manchester student who took the photos, said: "I've lived here over the past year. We have leaking doors, windows, roofs, car parks and dishwashers. The developers aren't bothered about doing anything."
"There was a damp patch around the window. Then it chucked it down and part of the wall fell away. There is now a gap between the wall and the [window] frame. It's still going on and there's a bucket to collect the rainwater. My friend was told by builders to get a pair of wellies when the heavy rainfall left water around the front door."
The properties were initially built by Aura Homes but are now owned by The JCS Group. Andy, 24, said: "The original companies don't exist now. The first block was built, then the company liquidated. They're still constructing a third block here even though the flats are not fully occupied."
Student Direct discovered that Aura Homes breached eleven enforcement notices from the Health and Safety Executive. The JCS Group did not wish to comment on the matter, although a spokesperson from partner management company Braemar Estates said: "The car park is being looked at. We deal with problems on an individual basis."
Andy said: "The situation is not getting any better. Caminada House have had a notice
about their electricity being cut off for an unpaid bill – this bill was to pump water to Aura Court when they were building it!
"A tenant's association was formed and I've already spoken to directors personally, but nothing has come of it. I have contacted the local MP [Tony Lloyd], who said he will try and speak to the necessary people."
well and amendment to the my previouse post
we now have a massive wall of mould growing in the manster bedroom, despite repeated cleaning with bleach. caused by the seals int he windows failing.
the boiler leaks, we have a leak above the stop cock there are loads of racks forming in the cealings and walls of the flat.,
i am a teneant and not the owener and my landlord does fix things as soons as they are reported, normaly within a week at the most and oftern next day.
i am not leaving untill my vehicle is repaired which i am hoping is very soon as i want out of this abismal hell hole and into some decent accomodation.
building regs have been ignored as can bee seen on the structural steel work whose fire retardant pain has been stripped.
Anonymous,
That person is also FREE to complain about the whatever dire state they're living in. People can leave of their own choice but sometimes it is a lot of hassle, and even if it isn't, what if they jsut wanted to see their tenancy agreement through for personal financial reasons? you can't really comment because you obviously don't know what it's like to live there.
Tom
john who forces you to live in these so called "third world condition", overstatement ,dont you think ?
it seem a lot of complaining from somebody who is not forced to live anywhere. it is easy to criticise nigel, and the labour team, and is fairly childish to talk about white sticks.
What exactly are these third world condition? it wouldnt be the fact that some residents have treated the communal areas of the building like a dustbin, including leaving bags full of rubbish in the stairs, and allowing other tenant to smash window and door, throw rubbish around etc! just look at the area around the letter boxes, and the bins!.
it seem you want somebody to blame without, accepting you, and all residents have responsibilty for looking after the building, and making sure these things dont happen..
Do you expect somebody else to clean up!
You talk about freedom of information, the law and peoples rights, but you want people to be prevented from going about there lawful business, you might not like what people do but it doesnt give you the right to stop them. That only happens in totalitarian regimes.
i would suggest you stop trying to blame people and do something constructive at the building or is this too much to ask, however it seems you would prefer to complain.
i would point out that it is a free country and you can leave!
We are living in third world conditions in flats unfit for sale, and my friend just found out it was the developer's first attempt. We demand compensation and want to know who is responsible for allowing this to happen and who will be held responsible.
I must ask a number of questions:
Is it lawful for these guys to build blocks of flats and then to force us to live in these conditions?
What action can be taken to stop them leaving a trail of debt and destruction? Would the the Freedom of Information Act help?
Who is advising them on what to do?
We could really do with some legal advice! If anyone could help- please do let me know.
The Labour team are finally awakening to the consequences of allowing the first two blocks being built. But will they actually do anything about the third?
Nigel, given that the information was available at the time- it is a bit late to pretend the Labour team cares. I did not know MM walked around with a white stick and hearing aid.
Regards,
John
I was told to buy wellies by the development company of Caminada house. Her exact words were "they only cost around £5 so I dont know what your problem is." There is damp over the front door, in the bedroom and the courtyard looks scruffy and uncared for.
My only saving grace is I am renting and very glad I have not bought in this poorly built development.
I am a tennant in caminada house and both my patners andmy own cars have been very badly damaged by seepage in the car park.
this has damaged the pain to an extent that a full respray is required on my car and most of my partners plus all the plastics replaced on my car. to date the managment company has refused to see me as i am a tennant. my landlord is trying to pursue things but it is very difficult to get any headway from them. i have had an by eye only estimate of the damage and it is l going to be in excess of £3000 to repair both cars to there original condition.
thats just the car park.
the security gates never worked and when they were fixed the code was changed so onone could gain acess except through the car park.
within the flat i have recuring water leaks from
1) the washing machine fittings
2) the boiler
3) the dish washer
all of which flood the kitchen
also the ensuite toilet leaked when i moved in.
to say this is shoddy building is an understatment
if the washing mashine is used anywhere in the entire block my lounge floor shakes
i am sick of looking at my car and disparing of what to do with it after i was told via my landlord that i should just claim on my own insurance to cover the damage caused by the buildings failings
The Hulme Labour Team are very concerned to hear about this article that says residents in Caminada House and Aura Court are experiencing problems with the state of the building.
We have contacted the planning enforcement department and asked them to look at this situation urgently.
If any readers have any further information that can help us solve this situation please get in touch so we can get a full breakdown of any problems they are experiencing.
Thanks,
Nigel
I am aware of the following defects :-
The windows for the 3 units i am aware of were not properly installed however, as they have been now fixed properly albeit at my expense the water penteration issues has been resolved.
The gates are now working, although maintenance could be better.
I have experienced similar problems to what has already been said. when it rains our windows leak badly and there are puddles of water on the window sills and floors. the worst thing is the damage to cars- the paintwork on our car has been damaged by the leaking roof, although I dont know what the cost will be to repair it. also when the people upstairs have their washing machine on the whole roof shakes, Im sure it must be the same for the people below us, when ours is on our whole apartment shakes! I hope you can get something done for the people experiencing problems, we are moving out this weekend to another flat in hulme.