The resident uses a mobility scooter and has to wash herself using the sink because her bathroom is not adapted, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Enfield Council has been criticised after relocating a disabled tenant to a flat without the adaptations she needs – as well as leaving her without hot water for weeks.

Danielle Skinner, speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on behalf of her mother, said the council had left her feeling “hopeless at times” and as if there is “no way out”.

Danielle’s mother – who wished to remain anonymous – has been a council tenant for 28 years but was downsized from a three-bedroom home to a smaller ground-floor flat in Cheshunt in July.

But Danielle said the property is not adapted for her mother’s mobility issues. She uses a mobility scooter and has to use a sink to wash herself.

Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant that can damage property, has also infested the garden, meaning a charging point for the mobility scooter cannot currently be fitted.

In addition, for a couple of weeks soon after she moved in, there was no hot water or heating.

The council has said that it has provided “support and advice” on adaptations and that Danielle’s mother agreed to move after viewing the flat.

But Danielle said: “We feel blindsided, my mum gave up a three-bedroom house, she’s had to watch someone move in and be happy, which she wanted, but she’s lost everything and has not got something that has the basics. She’s still using the sink to wash, all these months, as she can’t step into the bath.”

The garden also has a rat infestation and Danielle said she’d been told the knotweed will require four years to treat.

Her mother was offered £100 in compensation and has received an apology from the council, Danielle explained, but said this was rejected as her mother wanted the property fixed.

Danielle believes the council was aware of the flat’s issues before moving her mother into the property. She said: “Nothing was good enough, every time we contacted the council, it was a different person and you have to repeat everything and you get nowhere.

“We don’t trust the council.”

Listing her mother’s health issues, which include rheumatoid arthritis, fused wrists and a failed knee replacement, Danielle said the situation had affected her mental health. “She’s been depressed, she’s seeing a doctor and has got medication. She’s struggling with paranoia and we’ve contacted adult social care.”

An council spokesperson said: “We take all housing concerns raised by our residents very seriously and are aware of the issues raised in this case. As this matter is currently going through our formal complaints process, it would be inappropriate to comment in detail at this stage.

“However, we can confirm that the property was accepted following a full viewing, and support and advice were provided on adaptations where eligible. We are committed to ensuring all our tenants live in safe and suitable homes and where problems are identified, we work with residents to address them as quickly and as reasonably as possible.

“We will continue to engage with the tenant to resolve outstanding issues through the appropriate channels. Our priority is always the wellbeing of our residents.”

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