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Kent: 'Nightmare' flats overrun by fungus and mould | |
(21 days later) | |
Thick mould growing on the ceiling of a flat in Hamilton Court while fungus grows on a wall | Thick mould growing on the ceiling of a flat in Hamilton Court while fungus grows on a wall |
Residents at a block of flats in Kent say their lives have become "a nightmare" as unfinished roof work is allowing rainwater to stream into the building. | Residents at a block of flats in Kent say their lives have become "a nightmare" as unfinished roof work is allowing rainwater to stream into the building. |
In May, contractors fitted pre-fabricated flats to the top of Hamilton Court in Tunbridge Wells, but the sub-contractor for the project later went into administration and was liquidated in September. | In May, contractors fitted pre-fabricated flats to the top of Hamilton Court in Tunbridge Wells, but the sub-contractor for the project later went into administration and was liquidated in September. |
Duncan Cooke, director of Castlemere Developments said the company had recently made the roof "totally watertight" and was doing all it could to get the project finished. | Duncan Cooke, director of Castlemere Developments said the company had recently made the roof "totally watertight" and was doing all it could to get the project finished. |
It says it has spent £11,000 to get work done on the roof and is now in a position to fully undertake repairs to those residents whose homes had been affected by leaks. | It says it has spent £11,000 to get work done on the roof and is now in a position to fully undertake repairs to those residents whose homes had been affected by leaks. |
"We can also assure all the residents that all of the costs are being met by Castlemere Developments," Mr Cooke added. | "We can also assure all the residents that all of the costs are being met by Castlemere Developments," Mr Cooke added. |
Water damage in a communal area has affected a ceiling and a nearby front door | Water damage in a communal area has affected a ceiling and a nearby front door |
Antonio Bach, who lives with his family in the building in Chilston Road, said: "Water is pouring from several places in our flat and the whole building is suffering from damages." | Antonio Bach, who lives with his family in the building in Chilston Road, said: "Water is pouring from several places in our flat and the whole building is suffering from damages." |
One of his children has a health condition which means it is dangerous for them to be around mould. | One of his children has a health condition which means it is dangerous for them to be around mould. |
"We have been promised things will get done, but they never did. I feel like it's not going to happen anytime soon," said Mr Bach. | "We have been promised things will get done, but they never did. I feel like it's not going to happen anytime soon," said Mr Bach. |
"We need a miracle." | "We need a miracle." |
The building is still wrapped in scaffolding, 10 months after work began | The building is still wrapped in scaffolding, 10 months after work began |
Dean Kenward who is a landlord and rents out three flats in the block said he had lost all hope of getting answers from the developer. | Dean Kenward who is a landlord and rents out three flats in the block said he had lost all hope of getting answers from the developer. |
"We go around in circles, we just don't get anywhere," he said. | "We go around in circles, we just don't get anywhere," he said. |
Mr Kenward added: "When we had the big storms, we had rivers of water running down the walls into light fittings. The carpets were soaked and when it dried out we were getting mould." | Mr Kenward added: "When we had the big storms, we had rivers of water running down the walls into light fittings. The carpets were soaked and when it dried out we were getting mould." |
Mr Cooke said Castlemere Developments was unable to provide an exact date for the completion of the project. | Mr Cooke said Castlemere Developments was unable to provide an exact date for the completion of the project. |
He said: "We are doing everything to complete this and will keep the residents updated, as we always have throughout." | He said: "We are doing everything to complete this and will keep the residents updated, as we always have throughout." |
All the residents have been invited to an online meeting on Thursday to hear about the programme of works. | All the residents have been invited to an online meeting on Thursday to hear about the programme of works. |
Dean Kenward owns three flats in the building and wants answers for his tenants | Dean Kenward owns three flats in the building and wants answers for his tenants |
Mr Cooke said the contactors had faced difficulties accessing the roof due to scaffolding issues but this was resolved at the beginning of January. | Mr Cooke said the contactors had faced difficulties accessing the roof due to scaffolding issues but this was resolved at the beginning of January. |
He said Castlemere Developments was enhancing security, renovating communal areas, and introducing fire cells to increase fire safety. | He said Castlemere Developments was enhancing security, renovating communal areas, and introducing fire cells to increase fire safety. |
He said: "We can reassure residents that we are doing our utmost to complete this project and that once complete, Hamilton Court will be far safer and more secure." | He said: "We can reassure residents that we are doing our utmost to complete this project and that once complete, Hamilton Court will be far safer and more secure." |
Hamilton Court's freeholder Elmbirch Properties, and the property's management company, Remus, have been contacted for comment. | Hamilton Court's freeholder Elmbirch Properties, and the property's management company, Remus, have been contacted for comment. |
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