Winsford tenants face repair charges on condemned flats

Around 12 households still in the condemned Weaver Vale Housing Trust (WVHT) properties on Brecon Way and Cambrian Way, Over, are facing post-tenancy damage surveys when they leave their homes.

In May, they were given notice of the social landlord’s intention to bulldoze the flats sometime after June 2025.

Landlords, including housing trusts, have a right to deduct money from deposits and to pursue former tenants through the courts for costs associated with damage which hasn't been put right. 

One tenant, who asked not to be named, said the decision to hold them to the same standards as those leaving flats which will be re-let is ‘just bizarre’.  

The residents have assured tenancies, which means in the circumstances, WVHT are obliged to provide them with like-for-like places to live.  

Around 12 household remain in the two blocks, which were once home to 30 families (Image: Supplied)

There are 30 flats in the two buildings, though about 12 households remain, as WVHT haven’t been re-letting the properties as they’ve become vacant.

Those affected will receive resettlement packages to help with things like moving costs, and to compensate for any improvements they’ve done to the flats, and for the inconvenience.

In addition to the concerns over damage surveys, the tenant has other worries, including a lack of clarity on the rehoming procedure, and the fact WVHT are only obliged to offer three alternatives.

He said he needs to know what happens if none of the homes offered are suitable. 

Coupled with the confusing issue of post-tenancy damage surveys, he says he’s left ‘craving a bit of certainty’.

He added: “It’s just bizarre. If they’re knocking them all down anyway, why do we have to be surveyed to see if there’s any damage? It seems a bit unfair.

“If they were being re-let, I could understand it, obviously. But if they’re getting bulldozed, what’s the need?

WVHT have an obligation to rehome the residents in like-for-like properties (Image: Supplied)

“We’ve had an inkling something like this would happen as the flats have been emptying bit by bit.

“The bottom ones have been emptying for around three years.

“None of us have ever lived in a house which is being demolished before. It’s a pretty weird feeling.

“I’ve not been offered anywhere yet. We believe we’ll be prioritised as we’ll be classed as homeless.

“But, even now, we’re not 100 per cent sure how the whole process is going to work. It feels like we’re in a limbo.

“We believe families with young children will be moved first, but mine are both grown up now.

“We’ve all had individual meetings with WVHT to discuss our needs and requirements, but the question is still there. 

"What if we don’t want to live in any of the three properties we’re offered? Is that it? Nobody knows.

“The prices for private rentals are extortionate. I just couldn’t afford it.”

One tenant, who's lived in the flats for eight years, says he's 'craving a bit of certainty' (Image: Supplied)

“To be fair to Weaver Vale, they’ve been OK about it. It’s just little things, like not knowing how the process works, and damage surveys for condemned flats.

“What we do know is all coming through the grapevine. I’m just craving a bit of certainty so I can get on and live my life.”

WVHT say the well-being of their tenants remains its priority, yet added post-tenancy surveys are 'standard procedure', and will be going ahead as planned. 

Gareth Rigby, executive director of customer, place and services at WVHT, said: "The trust made the difficult decision to decommission and demolish the flats and maisonettes on Brecon and Cambrian Way earlier this year.

"Since then, we continue to work on a one-to-one basis with affected customers, who's well-being remains our priority.

"We know that moving home can be a big upheaval and we are working closely with all customers whose homes are affected.

"We are supporting them to move into new homes which meet their needs, at a pace that works for them.

"We will then be following our standard process of carrying out post-tenancy surveys once the homes are empty."