Mum's Battle for Basic Living Standards Continues

A mum living alone in a council flat on Corwen Road, Tilehurst, says she's been battling poor electrics, a broken cooker, dodgy heating and unfinished repairs since 2020.

Elaine Parry, who moved in in 2019, says repair staff "bodged up the electrics" and that the cooker failed after work on her meter. "It's to do with them coming in, altering my meter, and then the cooker started going down.

She says the council promised a new kitchen: "They promised me, and the neighbour, a new kitchen - mine in 2021, the neighbour in 2022 - and nothing's been done. "Do the kitchen, as you promised in 2021."

Ms Parry says heating has been largely absent. "All told, I've only had heating for about an hour or two in six years." She adds: "They're abusing my human rights by leaving me without heating."

Other problems include a balky balcony door and a damaged bath panel. "The balcony door needs changing and a new key and a lock, but it's never been done. "There's a crack in the bath panel in the bathroom, which has been there from day one, which was caused by the people who did the plumbing.

She says the council ignores her complaints: "I keep telling these council, but they do nothing, they won't act on my behalf. They won't do anything about it." She also claims she's been billed for work not finished: "They keep banging on about this big job they've done. They've given me about six invoices for the same thing that was never done anyway!"

Pleading for action, she said: "Even when I put complaints in, nothing happens. Please treat me fairly - but they're not." "I'm sick of going to the council trying to get help. I get nowhere."

The council responded: "Complaints have been investigated and dealt with, and we continue to liaise with Ms Parry to establish issues and make improvements where needed. "A kitchen replacement at the property is scheduled to take place during our current programme of works, which will take place during the current financial year. "The tenant will be contacted about this in due course to arrange a survey.

"The heating and hot water system was inspected in December 2025 and then looked at again upon request in February this year, where it was confirmed to be in working order. "The issue appears to be around a lack of usage to reduce utility bills. "We will contact the tenant again to provide advice on how to balance this more effectively. "We do not have a record of work required for the balcony door or bathroom, but we will contact the tenant to make appointments to attend the property and assess these."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter