RESIDENTS have complained of damp, mould and water leaks in their homes along one Basingstoke road.

Seven people living in Dankworth Road have come forward to express their frustration about the situation, speaking to Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillor Andrew McCormick.

The residents say they are suffering from mould and leaks in their homes, along delays or refusals to repair the issues.

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Stonewater Housing Association is responsible for five resident complaints and Guiness Trust owns the other two properties.

Cllr McCormick expressed that while housing associations try to sort some of these problems out, in many cases this takes weeks or months.

He said: "I see a problem with resourcing, either with the housing associations themselves or with their contractors. Nearly every employer is short-staffed these days.

"The problems are compounded by the difficulties people are having heating their homes. Fuel is very expensive, and despite the £67 a month subsidy and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Cost of Living Assistance Fund, which can give up to £1,000 per household, it's clear people's homes are getting colder and damper."

He explained that he believes the Government should be doing more to help housing associations insulate their properties and retrofit them with new heating in line with the Climate Emergency. 

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A spokesperson for The Guinness Partnership said: “We are aware of three properties in fact on Dankworth Road that are experiencing issues with dampness and mould. We have tried to contact residents of two of the homes (several times in each case, by telephone and home visit) to arrange an appointment for an engineer to attend and address the issues, but have had no response.  We have visited the other home and been able to clear the mould which was on a wall in the bathroom."

The spokesperson for Guinness explained that their engineers are working overtime to ensure repairs are completed promptly as they have received seen an increase in issues while more people struggle to heat their homes.

A spokesperson for Stonewater said: “We have been in contact with Cllr McCormick to discuss the issues he has raised on behalf of his constituents living in Dankworth Road. And we are in the process of contacting each of the customers to understand the issues they have. We will of course undertake any repairs that are needed and keep Cllr McCormick updated.“