POLICE raids, break-ins, sewage in the shower and a list of broken appliances are just some of the issues an asylum-seeker has had to face since moving in to a guesthouse in Basingstoke.

Erica Douglas, who is originally from Grenada in the Caribbean, was placed at the Wessex Guest House with her son in March 2020, by Hampshire County Council.

Since then, Erica and her three-year-old son have faced significant issues with the accommodation.

Erica said she has decided to speak up out of desperation – after facing two years of problems – to highlight the unsafe conditions people fleeing their countries face when they arrive in the UK.

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She told the Gazette: “It has now got to a point where I realised, I need to speak out about this for both me and people in the same situation as me, I want to advocate for them because even though my status is not yet sorted, I am still a human, and my son was born in the UK.

“I am not a person to complain, but I am speaking out for my son and for other people who are unable to speak out, so that when he grows, he knows that his mum has done all she could to help him and make his life better because it has been extremely damaging to him.”

Erica, who says she cannot return to her home country, said there have been attempted break-ins, which she has reported to the police, and in April 2021 she had to endure witnessing a police drugs raid that saw two people unconnected to her arrested.

Erica said she most fears for her son’s welfare.

She explained: “He doesn’t have enough room to move around, and he was also here during previous incidents where the police have been at the guesthouse, and he remembers this.”

Due to her immigration status, the 35-year-old is unable to work or look for other accommodation.

Despite repeated complaints to the guesthouse owner and to the county council, Erica’s problems have worsened.

Erica said that the family’s living arrangements have impacted her mentally and physically. In July she was ordered to have an ECG due to constant shakes and potentially worsening heart issues.

She added: “It has been over a year since I have had a decent night’s sleep because I am always on the look-out for when other guests come home drunk and make a lot of noise.

“I am always anxious about being stuck here and not knowing what’s going on. I am grateful to have a roof over my head, but it just does not feel safe here.”

Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller has become involved in Erica’s case and told the Gazette that she is investigating her circumstances.

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The owner of Wessex Guest House was approached for a comment on the issues but insisted that the problems were not their responsibility and that all matters should be reported to the county council.

Hampshire County Council was approached by the Gazette, but said the issues raised were not its responsibility and responsibility for the issues Erica has faced and declined to comment on her case - leaving Erica stuck living in the nightmare property.

A council spokesperson said: “While we are unable to comment on individual cases, as a local authority we endeavour to ensure that the most suitable accommodation is provided where families may have no access to local housing services.

“Whilst we are not responsible for the maintenance of rented accommodation, should housing issues arise, we would always respond to them as quickly as possible and liaise with the accommodation landlords advocating on behalf of those individuals receiving our support.”

After the Gazette heard about Erica’s living situation and the problems with the guesthouse, it approached Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which has since instructed its environmental health team to become involved.

Interim executive director of residents’ service Tom Payne said: “Although the council did not make this placement, since becoming aware of the drainage problems at the guesthouse, an officer from our environmental health team has contacted the owner of the premises to discuss the problems.

“The owner advised that they were previously unaware of any issues with the drainage but assured our officer that they will arrange for a plumber to investigate immediately.”

The Home Office was contacted but declined to comment.