Slough residents' plea to improve 'disgusting' flats

Families in temporary accommodation in Slough have complained of unliveable conditions after finding blood on floors and graffiti on walls.

Residents in council-run Pendeen Court were without hot water for five days and have called for the "disgusting" flats to be improved.

Slough Borough Council said it regularly inspected properties to ensure they were clean and maintained.

But it also apologised, saying one of the flats had not been "up to scratch".

Carrie Elderfield who recently moved into one of the flats in the Cippenham suburb with her children and partner said: "[It's] disgusting, absolutely disgusting.

"I can't believe they could even stick a couple in here, let alone someone with children.

"There was blood all over the floor by the cooker in the kitchen, lifted tiles, a broken cupboard that is thick with black mould underneath.

"The toilet seat was on the floor when we moved in with no bolts... [and] there is drawing and graffiti all up the rooms."

She said she kept her children out of school because of the lack of hot water because she feared they would be bullied for smelling.

Another resident, who works at a fast-food chain, said not being able to shower for work was "a nightmare".

A council spokesman said: "An engineer went out twice... when it was decided that a new boiler would be needed.

"Unfortunately this has taken a few days, but we have sorted it as quickly as possible."

The council added: "The flats are regularly inspected and are generally clean, well maintained and functional.

"Unfortunately on this occasion one of the flats wasn't up to scratch, for which we apologise.

"We will be contacting the family concerned."