Town hall fined for leaving family in 'uninhabitable home'

AUTHORITY'S CHIEF TOLD TO APOLOGISE IN PERSON OVER STATE OF 'MOULDY AND UNSAFE' PROPERTY

- JOSEPH TIMAN

MANCHESTER council has been ordered to pay more than £5,000 to a family who were housed in an 'uninhabitable home!

The Housing Ombudsman has made three findings of severe maladministration relating to how the property in Wythenshawe was let in such a poor condition, resulting in 'significant distress and inconvenience' for the family with three young children.

Despite being aware of a rotten kitchen floor and damp in four rooms, the property was signed off as ready to let, the Ombudsman said. When the family moved in, they complained about mould on the walls as plaster peeled off when trying to decorate.

Soon after moving in one of the children tripped on the unsafe garden path resulting in a cut lip, according to the Housing Ombudsman. The property was previously managed by Northwards, however, the housing provider is now run by the council directly.