Disgruntled Scots tenants ‘waiting three years for repairs’ at block of flats

Disgruntled Scots Tenants Endure Three-Year Wait for Repairs at Edinburgh Block of Flats

Residents in Edinburgh have united to voice their frustration with a letting agent over safety and maintenance issues that have languished unaddressed for three years. The Hesperus Crossway community in Granton staged a protest last Thursday against C~Urb Lettings, claiming they have been plagued by problems such as draughty doors and broken shutters.

The tenants formed a union in partnership with Scotland’s Tenants’ union, Living Rent, after facing prolonged neglect from the landlord. Lucas Honey, a wheelchair user, shared his struggles with inaccessible features in his supposedly wheelchair-friendly flat. He recounted requesting modifications for three years without any meaningful action being taken.

Security concerns were also raised, with Lucas highlighting the broken garage shutters and compromised building access, leading to incidents of vandalism. Another resident, Siobhan Schulberg, spoke out about long-standing maintenance issues, including black mould due to a faulty central heating system.

Health repercussions have emerged as a worrying consequence, exemplified by Stephen Hughes, who battles liver cancer and grapples with the high cost of heating his poorly insulated home. These hardships prompted the residents to come together in July, supported by Living Rent, to collectively address their shared grievances with C~Urb Lettings.

Since forming the union, the residents have presented a list of demands to the letting agent, encompassing repairs to doors and windows, enhanced security measures like CCTV installation, and the replacement of faulty garage shutters. Following a recent protest, C~Urb Lettings agreed to engage in negotiations with the residents’ union to address some of the pressing issues.

However, tensions persist as residents express disappointment with the outcome of the meeting, citing a lack of concrete commitments from C~Urb Lettings to expedite repairs or bolster security measures. The ongoing battle underscores the challenges faced by tenants in asserting their rights to safe and habitable living conditions amidst prolonged neglect from landlords.

In conclusion, the plight of the Hesperus Crossway residents sheds light on the persistent struggles faced by tenants seeking redress for maintenance issues and safety concerns. Their collective action serves as a testament to the power of community solidarity in advocating for improved living standards and holding landlords accountable for their responsibilities.