A 69-year-old Liverpool pensioner living alone has been forced to vacate all his possessions from his housing association property due to an ongoing delay in fixing a leak. Michael Rainier, a former leathersmith, described the situation as 'unbearable' after pipes in his bathroom burst in May, flooding his home on Pecksniff Close, Toxteth.
Leak causes extensive damage
Mr Rainier told the Liverpool Echo that the leak originated from the same pipes that caused issues two and a half years ago. This time, the water damaged floors throughout the property, requiring them to be removed. The flooring contained asbestos, complicating the cleanup. He said: 'I had a leak two and a half years ago and they came out and sorted all the repairs. Then in May, the leak sprung from the same place and drenched all the floors.'
His housing provider, Torus, informed him that because the damage was not in the kitchen or bathroom, they would not cover the floor replacement. Mr Rainier said: 'Surely because it’s no fault of my own, they should make the property good? I’ve had to move all of my stuff out into the garden, the inconvenience is unbearable.'
Living in a dangerous environment
With bare concrete floors and furniture stacked in his garden, Mr Rainier described his home as a 'dangerous building site,' especially given his degloved right foot. He said: 'I’m just left with bare concrete, all my possessions have had to come out. It’s really dangerous.'
He contacted Citizens Advice Bureau for financial assistance and Liverpool Council, but no help has been provided. He also faced a £2,000 water bill from United Utilities, which was eventually waived as it was not his fault.
Torus responds
Jan Calland, housing services director at Torus, apologised for the delay and inconvenience. She confirmed surveyors would visit Mr Rainier's home to assess repairs, which will then be booked with their in-house contractor, HMS, 'as an urgent priority.'
Mr Rainier had previously been put up in a hotel during the earlier leak repair. He said: 'I’m trying to not let it stress me out too much.'
