FLOODY HELL
Ceiling collapses in Glasgow flat as burst pipe leaves tenants soaked and furious
By Sarah Hilley, Local Democracy Reporter
Two grandmothers in Easterhouse have suffered repeated flooding from flats upstairs - with one woman having to live elsewhere for two years because of the problems.
Residents are calling for landlords and housing providers to do more to protect buildings in the area as one of the flats above is rented out while the other one houses asylum seekers.
Linda Doyle, of Denmilne Street, was flooded three times in May and June with water pouring through her bathroom ceiling and once in the living room. She also had flooding last October.
Great grandmother Linda, 67, who lives underneath a flat managed by Mears, which provides asylum seeker accommodation, said she feared the water was "pouring through" her lights.
She said: “It is just constant. I am getting fed up with it. I can't live like this any more. I can't do anything because of the constant water coming through. It is really unfair.”
Although faced with initial problems of trying to report the issue, Linda eventually got through to Mears who have sent out plumbers and a “helpful” supervisor visited. But she wants the problem permanently solved - and Mears have now agreed to fix her ceiling.
Linda said: “I want the pipework to be checked and want them to make sure the bath is sealed. I have worked hard to get my property - sometimes I feel like walking away. There are a lot of different tenants. They are often nice and don't bother me as long as they are not noisy. But it's the flooding. I have had enough.”
A Mears spokesman said: “We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused by the water leaks from one of our properties. The source of the leaks has been resolved and the ceiling in the affected flat has been repaired and now that it is dry, it is being redecorated this week. We’re grateful for the resident’s patience and pleased to hear positive feedback about our staff.”
Another grandmother who lives nearby hasn't been home for more than two years in Lochdochart Road due to repeated flooding problems from the rental property above her. The leakage led to her ceiling collapsing in 2023.
City Building workers turning up to assess the situation as it was considered a hazard by environmental health.
The home owner, who does not want to be named, said: “It has been leaking on and off for couple of years - it stopped for four to six weeks and then started again.”
Her property is at ground level - and the first floor flat above is rented out through a letting agency Easy Let.
After repairs were carried out following the collapse of the ceiling as she waited for the plaster to dry more water came in.
Describing how she works hard to “pay for” the property while it is “ruined,” the 65-year-old said: “It is causing me grief. I have no insurance now. I have had to stay with different people.”
Easy Let was contacted for comment.
Dennis Docherty, chair of the Denmilne Community Action Group, has been campaigning for landlords and Mears to take more action regarding the maintenance of communal buildings and gardens in the Easterhouse area.
He said: “Why is the Government paying landlords so much and not holding them accountable? Buildings are falling into disrepair.”
The residents have issues with messy gardens, dirty closes, missing glass in doors and roofs needing repairs among other complaints.
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