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‘House is unfit for my kids’ says mum
HOME SORROW ... Margaret Taylor at her new council house in Whitburn.
A SINGLE mum is refusing to move her disabled sons into a South Tyneside Homes property, claiming it is not ready.
Margaret Taylor, 52, is preparing to uproot her family from their South Shields home into a bigger house in Larch Avenue, Whitburn.
The 52-year-old was due to make the move this weekend, but has been given an extra week after telling South Tyneside Homes she is not happy with the state of the property.
She said: “It is liveable if you don’t mind living like a tramp.
“We could move in and work around the situation, but the plaster is flaking off the walls and I can’t get my carpets down.”
Mrs Taylor lives with her two sons and one daughter.
Brad, 19, is blind and suffers from cerebral palsy. Michael, 17, is diabetic and has learning difficulties, while 23-year-old Charlotte is pregnant.
The full-time housewife was given the keys to her new home on December 15 last year, and was originally set to move in before Christmas.
But the date was put back for repairs to be carried out after loose plaster started flaking from the walls.
Mrs Taylor explained: “When we pulled the wallpaper off to decorate, the plaster came off as well. South Tyneside Homes sent people out, but they pulled bits of plaster off, and put more over the top.
“They have missed bits and there is still no plaster on the ceilings. The ceilings won’t hold any paint.”
“I have two disabled sons and they both have asthma, and this house is not suitable.
“I was told I’d have to move in by the weekend or pay rent on both houses. But now I’ve been given an extra week, and hopefully I can make it liveable.”
Mrs Taylor added that there is a 10ft by 4ft hole in the back garden of her new home, which is 6ft deep and is a safety hazard for her blind son.
Mark Whittle, director of investment for South Tyneside Homes, said, “The house in Larch Avenue was classed as being allocated to a lettable standard, but issues about de-bonded plasterwork came to light when Mrs Taylor began removing wallpaper.
“The Empty Homes Team has already carried out repairs to the affected areas on the walls and ceilings, and one of our surveyors will inspect the home to see if any further work is recommended.
“Regarding the hole in the garden, an order has already been raised with a specialist contractor who will ensure that this is filled in.”
joseph.tulip@northeast-press.co.uk
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Weather for Jarrow
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
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