I’m six months pregnant and sleeping on the couch after my house flooded – I have no idea where my baby will sleep
A MUM-TO-BE has been sleeping on her mum’s sofa for almost two months after a flood forced her out of her home.
Colleen Walker, who is six months pregnant, claims her house is nowhere near ready to move back into so she’s stuck living with her family.
The 29-year-old says she has “no idea” where she and her baby will live once she’s born as there is simply not enough room for them all.
Colleen, who moved into her property in Smallthorne in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, two years ago, told : “We did lots of stuff to try to stop the water.
“We put bags up and my ex-partner put silicone down to try to stop the leak, but the issue got worse and seven weeks ago the downstairs living room flooded with the water.
“It was splashable and the carpet was destroyed.”
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Colleen, who pays £425 a month in rent which is automatically deducted from her Universal Credit, was offered temporary accommodation – but it had no food or washing facilities.
Instead, she is staying with her mum and 14-year-old brother.
“If it wasn’t for my mum I’d be on the streets,” she said.
“It’s not ideal as it’s a two-bedroom property and my brother also lives there.
“We can’t share a room so I’m sleeping on the sofa and I’m 25 weeks pregnant.
“It’s not going to be ideal when the baby comes because there isn’t enough room for me and the baby.”
Colleen said the stress is “ruining” her pregnancy and she just wants to “move forward and get the property sorted or move house”.
Her landlord said they have spent more than £5,000 to improve the property since Colleen moved in, and issues have been reported to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Staffordshire Police are also investigating a complaint of “threatening behaviour” towards the landlord’s contractors.
A spokesperson added: “This property is currently one of the best in the area.
“All our properties are let to a good standard.
“All tenants have to sign an agreement that this is the case before taking on the tenancy.
“Since the current tenant moved in we have spent over £5,000 to further improve the property with numerous visits in the last two years.
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“All of the tenant’s possessions are safe and we are looking forward to getting the tenant back in the property, subject to council approval.
“We always try as best we can to help all our tenants even under very difficult circumstances.”
