Peeblesshire News | News | 'I'm devastated - this has left me very depressed'

Thursday, 28th August, 2008

Published: Monday, 23rd June, 2008 12:00

'I'm devastated - this has left me very depressed'

By David O'Leary

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A disabled woman has been left in desperate living conditions after officials boxed up all her belongings.

Sheila Stoddart, of Springwell Brae, Broughton who suffers from osteoarthritis, angina and diabetes, has been left with only her bedroom as a refuge from the mess created.

Scottish Border Housing Association who are the biggest landlord of rented homes in the Scottish Borders with over 6,000 properties, refitted Mrs Stoddart’s hot water and heating system after her old one broke down.

SBHA employed a firm called Border Removals to pack and store all her belongings due to the disruption caused by her floors being lifted.

They also ensured that she was able to move temporarily to comfortable accommodation for the duration of the works, and that her dog Lewis was looked after also.

Mrs Stoddart left her home on Tuesday 9 June and returned on Friday 12 June. However, a new carpet was to be laid the day before the return of her belongings but this was not fitted when Border Removals arrived on the agreed date.

They left the boxes they couldn’t unpack and agreed to come back at a later date. Upon their return they were unable to unpack the remaining boxes due to there being too much stuff and not enough storage space.

It has been a full week now that Mrs Stoddart has been living in her own private cardboard city She said: “I’m not paying any rent until they sort this out to my satisfaction. I’ve been trying to unpack it as best I can since the weekend but with my disabilities it’s a real struggle.

Andrew Lackenby, SBHA Planning and Cyclical Co-ordinator believes that they have upheld their end of the bargain and that the affair is now a matter for the council.

He said: “We’ve done all and as much as we can do. The lady needs help as regards house management and that’s a matter for Social Work and the Council.

Sheila said: “I haven’t heard a thing from either Social Services or the Council. I’m devastated this has left me very depressed.”

An official council spokesperson said: “We are fully aware of this situation and we are doing our utmost to resolve the issue.”

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