Edinburgh Council has issued an apology after Jane McNeil’s home was left in a ‘horrendous’ mess.
Edinburgh Council has apologised to the mum.(Image: Supplied)
A distressed single mum from Edinburgh was moved out of her home by the council only to come home months later to find her property was still uninhabitable.
Despite three of her children having additional needs, Jane McNeill was forced to move to Falkirk on January 16 after her property was deemed uninhabitable due to mould and disrepair, reports Edinburgh Live.
After almost three months away from her home, the family were told they could move back to their Kingsknowe property on Monday April 7, but to the 37-year-old mum’s dismay, the work had not been carried out and she was moved to a different accommodation at The Inch.
Jane says her ordeal peaked when she moved into the second property to find no appropriate cleaning facilities, mould, ripped up wallpaper and holes in every wall.
Jane was moved to two ‘uninhabitable’ properties. (Image: Supplied)
Edinburgh Council has since apologised to the single mum-of-four, and admitted they were ‘shocked’ by what happened.
Jane said: “The past three months have been absolutely horrendous. I moved into the Kingsknowe property 10-years-ago and it was freshly decorated. Two years in problems with mould started to arise.
“I was left in a position where there was exposed mould in the bedrooms for seven years and the whole home was in a complete mess.
“I couldn’t make the Falkirk home adaptable for us when they moved us there. I was completely separated from my support network, my son’s special school and his occupational therapist.
Jane and her children couldn’t get washed for a week in the second property. (Image: Supplied)
“I was out oif my home for three months so the appropriate work could be done. I was meant to get back in last week but it was lying like a building site and they didn’t complete the repairs.
“They gave me no choice but to move to The Inch. There was ripped up wallpaper, holes in every wall, the bathroom didn’t have a working shower or bath, the kitchen didn’t have a sink attached to it and there was mould above where my middle son slept. It was so dreadful.”
Jane and her children couldn’t wash for a week due to the faulty shower and no appropriate bath.
She added: “There was absolutely no appropriate cleaning facilities for my children. My 15-year-old son has been in tears because he was desperate for a shower.
“He has sensory autism so him not feeling clean is massive to him. The council have been absolutely dreadful to us over the past three months.”
The mould ridden proerty.(Image: Supplied)
Finally, the McNeill family were moved back to their Kingsknowe property on Monday, April 14. Although, the issues involving mould and pest infestation have been resolved, but there are still ongoing issues with her boiler.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I can only begin to imagine how horrendous an experience this has been for Ms McNeill and her family.
“I’m truly shocked and sorry this has happened and I’m seeking assurances from officers that this type of experience is not replicated for other families in similar situations.
“I’m pleased to hear that she has now returned home and that all the necessary repairs are now complete.”
The council have been approached for further comment regarding the boiler issues.