A Scots gran says she is living a "nightmare” at a council property - on Elm Street.
Denise Neil claims she has put up with a damp, run-down, slug-infested council flat for the last seven years.
And the living conditions in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire,have left the 54-year-old so stressed that she is now taking medication.
Denise has photographic and video evidence of mouldy walls and curtains; slugs crawling everywhere; rats in the garden; and blood smeared along walls in the communal stairwell.
And she says the damp is so bad the wallpaper is hanging off.
The council say they offered to decant Denise - who raises her two teenage granddaughters as well as her son - while work is carried out but she has refused.
But the gran, who also takes care of her severely ill sister who lives nearby in Blantyre, said: “I’m worn out in this place. It is rotten to the core. Riddled with damp on every wall, every window needs replaced, slugs slithering around, wallpaper hanging off the walls, mould up my curtains – it is just uninhabitable.
“And to come home with two teenagers and find blood all over the landing in the flat stairs is shameful and disgusting. We shouldn’t have to live like this.”
Denise, who is on furlough, says she is at her wits’ end and has been fighting with the council for years over the state of the property. She also claims council officials have offered to decant her whilst work is carried out in the flat but says that is not an option.
Denise added: “There is no way to fix this property. It needs torn down. The council have offered to decant me until they can carry out repairs. I've been told the repairs are only temporary, however, by the workmen themselves.
“That is not an option, I need a new home that is clean and safe for me and my grandchildren.
“I also look after my sister, who is severely unwell, so we can’t be moved out of Blantyre. A property in East Kilbride for example is not an option. We are literally in a living nightmare here.”
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “Following a report of dampness in November 2019, a full survey of Ms Neil’s home was carried out in January 2020, at which time it was identified that disruptive repair works were required to remedy the identified problems.
"To allow this essential repair work to be carried out, Ms Neil requires to be temporarily decanted for a short period.
"A suitable decant property was identified for Ms Neil in February 2020, but she has to date refused to move from her current property to allow access for the work.
“In addition, Ms Neil also refused access for other repair work such as the installation of replacement windows. The condition of the property will deteriorate if the work is not completed.
“The local team offered support to assist Ms Neil throughout this difficult time and with a temporary move, but this has also been refused by Ms Neil.
“An inspection of the block took place today (Tuesday) and the bin store area was found to be untidy.
“All residents will be contacted regarding their responsibility to maintain this area. The local team are not aware of any other issues with neighbours within this block, and should Ms Neil have any concerns she can report these to her housing officer on 0303 123 1012.
“Ms Neil did report last week there were rats in the vicinity, and Environmental Services will inspect and take action as necessary.”
