A Reading council tenant says electricity problems, a broken cooker, draughts and leaks are still unresolved at her one‑bed council flat on Corwen Road, Tilehurst.
Elaine Parry first raised issues with the Local Democracy Reporting Service in 2021. Back then the bedroom, living area and bathroom were badly affected by black mould – that has since been dealt with, but a run of other problems remain.
Ms Parry says the cooker isn’t working because of an electrical fault that causes the power to trip, leaving her using a much smaller appliance for meals. She also reports a draught from the bathroom window, a hole where a vent should be, and not enough hot water for a bath, so she can only shower.
There is a minor leak from the toilet despite a new lid being fitted by the council, and one kitchen cabinet door doesn’t open fully and gets in the way of the broken cooker.
Ms Parry said: “Sometimes I’m sitting in candlelight for hours, just waiting for the electricity to decide to come back on again.”
She added: “And they still say it was the cooker tripping the electrics, even when the cooker isn’t even on.”
“I’ve been fed up with eating stuff on the little machine because I can’t use my cooker. It looks like a lovely cooker – it just doesn’t work.”
“Last year, they didn't give me anything else to use over Christmas. I had no cooking facilities, no heating – just hot water bottles and these big snuggly clothing to wear.”
“When are they going to get their finger out and do something nice for me for a change?
“It’s not on, they are abusing me.
“They keep saying I’m a priority. Well, if they’ve made me a priority, then I’m the Queen of England. They’ve never made me a priority.”
The council’s housing department will deal with the problems raised. A council spokesperson said: “We are sorry Ms Parry is experiencing these issues.
“We can confirm that any issues reported to the council by the tenant up until January this year, including the toilet cistern referenced, have all been completed.
“We will be returning to assess the new issues raised this week and have sent the tenant details to this effect.”
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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