Josephine Geary, 83, lives in First Avenue, Canvey, with her son-in-law Steve Robins, 49, and their home has been repeatedly hit with a series of leaks in their extension.
The extension ceiling was removed three months ago, however it has not been replaced and Josephine has been left facing freezing conditions since.
We’re now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at https://bit.ly/4eGOxig to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone.
Freezing – Josephine Geary (Image: Steve Robins)
Steve claims the home is “almost impossible to heat” in its current state.
He added that he has repeatedly contacted Castle Point Council and contractor MCP, who carried out the original work, but claims they are “blaming each other”.
Steve said: “The ceiling is exposed, and all of the cold air is coming in, it makes the house freezing and just before Christmas the council came by and because of our complaints gave us a tiny heater.
Exposed ceiling – The ceiling in the First Avenue property (Image: Steve Robins) Unfinished – The unfinished ceiling works (Image: Steve Robins)
“That only keeps one person warm, the problem is this has gone on for so long and it keeps getting put off.
“The council keeps blaming MCP and MCP keep blaming the council and it just goes back and forth, it has been extra old and even if we close the door to the room all the way we can’t keep the heat in, it is pointless.”
Steve claims the council were meant to visit on Monday to view the problem and look at taking action but never arrived.
He added: “My mother-in-law has heart issues and especially with these viruses around at the moment, this adds to our problems.
“She always sits right by the radiator, but she doesn’t feel it, it doesn’t do anything and she has issues walking around. The cold makes her knees stiff.
“We keep getting pushed around, someone needs to take ownership of this situation and get it done as Josephine has lived here since this home was built in the mid-60s, she has always paid rent and is being treated poorly.”
Castle Point Council and MCP have been contacted for comment.