Tenants' fury over lack of maintenance at former manor house in Sheffield owned by council

Mark Kelly outside Richmond Hill House, where he has lived for more than a decade

But an exasperated resident claims the once-grand abode is being allowed to deteriorate, with long waits for repairs, numerous examples of shoddy workmanship and a faulty boiler system which has left occupants without heating and hot water for weeks.

That's not to mention the radiators in the bathrooms of flats at Richmond Hill House in Stradbroke, which are located in one of the strangest positions imaginable - some six feet up the wall.

Radiators in the bathrooms are bizarrely located some six feet up the wall

Mark Kelly, a handyman who has lived there for more than a decade, says he and his wife Tracey are appalled by the state of the property.

"It's so poorly maintained. I pay my rent on time but when I walk through the door and look at the state of the building, with its dingy lighting, a patchwork chequered floor, an insecure front door which has been kicked in numerous times and lots of other things which need fixing, I start to wonder what I'm paying for," said the 50-year-old father-of-two.

"We've had lots of problems over the years but they're so slow to respond and when something is done the standard's often terrible.

"The building's beginning to leak in places and we've been without heating for most of January because both boilers need replacing, but despite our ringing constantly we've still yet to be given a date when this will happen.

Mr Kelly says the communal areas are very poorly maintained

"It used to be a manor house and it's a lovely building with high ceilings and some nice original features, but over the years the council has really let it go, and we've had enough."

Mr Kelly believes the property was built in the late 19th or early 20th century and had thought it was Grade II-listed, but Historic England said that was not the case and Sheffield Council said it was not aware of any listing.

A council spokesman said staff had inspected the communal area last week and carried out minor repairs, with more work due to be completed shortly.

He apologised to residents for the inconvenience caused by the faulty boiler system, which he acknowledged was 'not acceptable'.

This photo in the entrance shows how the building used to look

"A replacement boiler has been ordered and we are talking to residents to address their concerns about maintenance," he said,.

As for the bathroom radiators, he conceded they are in an 'unusual location' and said the council would be looking to see if they could be moved.