A MAN from Highbridge said he is living in a “completely soaked” and “rotten” house with a leaking ceiling while awaiting repair works to be carried out.

Mr Eagles, owner of Burnham Radio, lives in a one-bedroom property with his partner who has schizophrenia and is assisted by a support dog.

He said the roof support beams are “completely rotten” and he and his partner are living in a “soaked” house with leaks in both the bedroom and the living room.

Mr Eagles had to place a bucket under the roof to deal with the leaking ceilings.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

He said: “We moved into this property in February this year.

“As we moved in they had to fix the roof before we got the keys.
"When we came to view the place there was already a hole, but we were told it was going to be fixed. They put a patch, but they didn’t fix the roof above.

“But then we noticed water leaking through the ceiling. We got three quotes from local builders, but the landlord won’t fix it as it is too much money.

“The bedroom is completely soaked, the ceiling had come through. Everything is rotten.

“We went in the living room and saved what we could but now the ceiling is leaking in the living room too.

“In this weather, I am worried the ceiling will collapse on me. At the moment the only thing I can do is place a bucket under the roof that keeps getting bigger every time it rains.

“We are looking for private accommodation but there’s nothing locally. I don’t know what will happen. When the roof falls, we will be homeless.”

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

Mr Eagles added: “We gave him the quotes, but he doesn’t want to pay because it is too much. All the support beams are completely rotten.
"The first quote was £7,000, then £15,000.

Mr Eagles also said he received a two-month notice to leave the property from his landlord, but also added that it does not stand as the contract ends in February 2023.

He also claimed that when they turned to Sedgemoor District Council asking for help and new accommodation, the authority said they could not house them because of the support dog.

He reported the issue to Avon and Somerset Police but they have said it is a civil matter.

Sedgemoor District Council said they are working with the landlord to fix the issue with the roof of the property.

A spokesperson said: “Officers are working with the landlord to get the issues with the roof of the property fixed.

“In the meantime, the tenants may wish to proceed with a homeless application as the temporary accommodation offered by the landlord was not suitable and their current property is unsafe.

“Unfortunately, availability of properties which allow pets in the private and social sector is limited, many landlords operate a no pets policy therefore there may be difficulty in accessing alternative accommodation, however some landlords may be sympathetic to an assistance dog if the couple are able to demonstrate this.

“Similarly, temporary accommodation options are also limited to households with a pet, and they may need to make a temporary arrangement until they secure alternative, suitable housing.

“Should Kevin wish to seek advice from our housing service they will advise and assist, where they can, to enable Kevin and his partner secure suitable accommodation.

“There appears to be nothing on our system to notify we have said the landlord cannot serve a notice, however, looking at the notice, it is invalid anyway.”