My home’s not fit to live in – Blackburn man's claim (From Blackburn Citizen)

My home’s not fit to live in – Blackburn man's claim

9:30pm Sunday 15th November 2009

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A disabled man claims he has been forced to live in squalor after a dispute with his landlord.

Peter Lewis, 60, said his house was not suitable for human habitation.

Now, council bosses have warned his land-lord, Craig Barnes, that he could face a fine of up to £5,000 if he fails to carry out “necessary work” on the property in Whitebirk Road, Blackburn.

Mr Lewis, who suffers from spondylosis, a deg-enerative disease cau-sing him pain every time he moves, said he could no longer cope with living in the current conditions.

The former foreman at the Wardle Storey textile factory sold the house to Mr Barnes two years ago.

He claims that he sold the property for a “substantially reduced price” on the understanding that Mr Barnes would carry out renovation work, and he would continue living in the property by renting it.

Mr Lewis said: “He started working on it two years ago and it’s still not done.

“There’s a hole in the bedroom ceiling, wires hanging out everywhere and no ceiling at all in the kitchen – it’s just very depressing and I wish he would just finish the job.”

Mr Lewis believed the state of the house was affecting his health.

However, Mr Barnes, a builder, stated that he had carried out substantial work to the property since purchasing it.

He also vowed to have all the remaining work completed within six weeks.

Mr Barnes said: “When I bought it there were no glass panels in the windows, the roof was in a state and there was no gas.

“Since then I have fitted a new kitchen and bathroom, connected it to gas and put in double glazing.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs confirmed they had issued Mr Barnes with a list of repairs, including plastering, repairs to the ceilings and obtaining a gas certificate.

Gwyneth Sarkar, head of housing services, said: “The council was asked to investigate the complaint and visited the property on October 29 and found the property to be in poor condition.

“The landlord has agreed to undertake the work but if he does not do so, the council can take enforcement action which can lead to a maximum fine of up to £5,000.

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