Danielle Scanlon, 39, from Toryglen, returned from a day out with her daughter on July 11 to find sewage pouring through the hallway of her flat in Glasgow. Human faeces had leaked from her bathroom and kitchen sink, attracting flies and causing an unbearable smell. Sanctuary Housing, which manages the property, sent a plumber who accidentally broke a pipe, causing further spillage.
Family evacuated, belongings destroyed
The family were moved into a hotel room the next day, but Danielle says everything they own has been destroyed. She said: "I walked into the house and I vomited. It was absolutely disgusting. There was faeces pouring down the hallway and out the door. It seeped into the floorboards. By the time we were evacuated the smell was already in all our clothes and furniture. We have lost everything."
Danielle believes the waste is coming from three upstairs neighbours' properties. She claims Sanctuary Housing advised her to ask neighbours not to flush their toilets and instead bag their own waste while they investigated. She said: "Every time a neighbour used the toilet, the waste came pouring out the bathroom. I was standing in it trying to clear it up. It was all over me and seeped through my marigold gloves."
Health concerns and lack of resolution
The family is now sharing a hotel room, but Danielle fears for her children's health if they are placed back in the property. A surveyor visited on July 16, but she has not yet had an update from Sanctuary Housing. She added: "It would be inhumane to put us back in there. The property needs to be decontaminated or it would pose a risk to mine and my children's health. We have nowhere to turn and no resolution."
While Shelter Scotland would not comment on individual cases, interim director Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae said: "Shelter Scotland’s research on children’s experiences in unsuitable temporary accommodation makes it clear these aren't abstract risks; they are the daily reality for families. A safe home isn't a luxury - it's the foundation that everything else depends on."
Sanctuary Housing and council response
A spokesperson for Sanctuary told the Record: "The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority. We understand how upsetting and disruptive this situation has been for Ms Scanlon and her family, and we are sorry for the inconvenience caused. We acted quickly to move the family into temporary accommodation while repairs were carried out. Specialist contractors and inspectors are carrying out the necessary work, and we are doing everything we can to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We are keeping in regular contact with Ms Scanlon and will continue to support her and her family throughout the process."
Glasgow City Council's Public Health team was called out, with a contractor on-site soon after to work on a repair. A spokesman for the council said: "This incident was reported to us and we are now aware that repairs are being undertaken by the property owner. Our public health team can be contacted for assistance by householders if their homes are being affected by a range of environmental nuisances."
