While there are many things that a tenant should do to ensure their home is kept in good condition, there are some things that a landlord needs to take care. This is why it makes sense for a landlord to carry out regular checks of a property and they should know what they are looking for around the home. There is no point in an unqualified person inspecting a property because they won’t know what they should be looking for. There are many things around the home which may not appear to be an issue but which could actually be problematic if left unchecked.
This is the case for a couple from Stockport who have found themselves homeless after local environmental health chiefs declared their building as being unsafe to live in. Blair and Chantelle Cottrill were tenants in the Victoria Grove flats in Heaton Chapel but have been moved out after a partial evacuation was ordered. This came after inspectors from the town hall decided that the properties posed a serious safety risk. At the moment it is believed that the couples flat and an additional four flats have been cleared.
The main fear is that the structure may collapse, which is clearly very serious. While inspectors may raise issues in a flat or property, it is unlikely that they would issue an evacuation order unless there was an obvious danger to life.
Dry rot concerns in Stockport
The main concern is dry rot which has caused major problems at the ground floor of the property but this dry rot has now spread throughout the rest of the building. This has led to an Emergency Prohibition Order being placed on the property and it is believed that extensive repair work will have to be undertaken to ensure the building doesn’t fall down.
The problem was initially reported by the couple, so it is disappointing that their actions have resulted in them being forced out of the property and at the moment, they look set to be “sofa surfing” with friends until a more suitable arrangement can be found. It can only be hoped that this outcome doesn’t prevent any other tenants from citing issues and problems. There is no doubt that being displaced from your home is a hassle that most people can do without but in the grand scheme of things, it is probably a more pleasant outcome than being in the home when something went wrong.
There is no getting away from the need to find a reliable landlord who is aware of their responsibilities and who will do what they can to keep everything in as good a condition as possible. At Spencer Harvey, we aim to work closely with any landlords or tenants we deal with and hopefully this sort of outcome can be avoided in the future.
For all your property needs, please contact Spencer Harvey Estate and Letting Agents on:
0161 480 8888
https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk