Families’ new-build ‘nightmare’ with ‘flooded gardens, no water for days and drug addicts peering through windows’

FAMILIES are facing misery in their new-build houses after gardens flooded, the water stopped running for days and suspected drug addicts were caught peering into windows.

Tenants of the new housing estate in Stoke-on-Trent say their dream homes have quickly become a nightmare.

Bannisters have fallen off, while outside, wonky gardens have taken on water, they claim.

And those living in properties on the 128-bed Saxon Place estate have demanded that CCTV cameras are installed amid concerns over burglars and druggies.

Joanna Szelagowska, a single mum of twins, told she faced problems within days of moving in.

“The shower broke – I couldn’t turn it off,” the 40-year-old said.

“I had to shut down the water in the whole house and stay over two days without any water.

“There are glue spots all over the floor. I have had difficulty closing the door. The window lock does not work properly.

“That was reported more than two weeks ago and nothing has been done.

“The gardens are on a slope. We have to put the trampoline on the patio. You can’t do anything in the garden.

“I am paying £735 a month for this.”

She said her bicycle was stolen, while burglars raided a neighbour’s home.

“No one’s listening. It’s a nightmare,” she said.

‘IT’S BEEN A NIGHTMARE’

“If it wasn’t for the neighbours, we’d move, but they’re really important and have become almost like family for us. That’s why we’re staying.”

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “The state of the house when we moved in was awful.

“The garden was unlevel when we moved in. It was like a ploughed field.”

Developers ‘fobbed them off’, they said.

“We rent the property but have spent a lot of money on fixtures and fittings, decorations, curtains and blinds,” they added.

RATS KILLED PET RABBITS

“It’s been a nightmare.”

Another neighbour – who pays £735 every month in rent – says her bannister and draft excluder fell apart, while her home was burgled in July and rats have killed her pet rabbits.

“When we moved in here it seemed like a dream, but it’s been a nightmare,” she said.

In a joint statement, Fortior Homes, Novus Property Solutions and LIV Group – all of which have a stake in the estate – said: “We pride ourselves on delivering quality homes finished to the high standard that has become synonymous with our brands.

“We are aware of a small number of isolated issues at Saxon Place, the majority of which have been rectified, and we are actively working to resolve any outstanding matters as soon as possible.”