Sheffield residents lose hope after long wait for social housing repairs

Liam Ashton, 31, currently rents a house managed by Sanctuary Housing on Beck Close in Shiregreen, a company that he says are failing their residents when it comes to repair work on their properties.

Liam, who lives with his wife Jade, 30 and daughter Layla, 5, has made numerous complaints to Sanctuary Housing since April, when the family first noticed damp in their home.

The issue then took a month to repair, and since then the family have faced no end of problems leaving them fed up and in despair.

Currently, the couple have been without a shower for two weeks and are living with a half finished bathroom repair.

"They have a very slow turn around with repairs," said Liam.

"There is always a problem or excuse when they're here, and one time they didn't even show up at all."

And the issue is causing undue stress on both Liam, and Jade, who is three months pregnant, leaving them to face the tough decision of whether to move their young family, despite financial pressures they may incur.

Liam said: "I have to take time off, it's affecting work. I've used half of my annual leave waiting for them to come. There's always another problem.

"It's affordable housing, so we can afford it. But because of all the problems we've decided to move, it's just a matter of finding somewhere but we are now willing to move to a private property.

"I worry for the health of my family. It's just lots of stress, and it's not healthy. I feel angry and anxious. But it's not just us."

He says that talking to Sanctuary repair workers, there is a shortage of staff, meaning that many turn up to jobs unprepared and are rushed, as they have too many jobs to fit in the day.

And that they are not the only residents who are fed up with Sanctuary, and their extended wait times for repairs.

Sanctuary Housing are one of the UK's largest social landlords in the country, who provide many types of affordable and social housing.

John Hanson, Head of Housing for Sanctuary Housing said: “We have worked with Mr Ashton to resolve the issue and have visited the property a number of times to make the necessary repairs.

"This has included attending to identify the cause of the leak, remove and replace the bath panel, shower and pipes. During this time, Mr Ashton and his family have had full use of the bath in their home.

“We apologise for the length of time it has taken to complete the works but are pleased to report we will be attending the property again on Friday 27 July to finish the job.”