Housing repairs scandal
by Gaby Spinks, Lisa Swift and Richard Belbin

Kier Sheffield, who are responsible for the maintenance of Council properties, presented a glowing report to the Council in October showing how they had met and surpassed their targets for repairs and responsiveness – living up to their motto – ‘Right First Time On Time’.

However the Messenger heard that two families are having severe problems with maintenance in their Council homes. Gaby Spinks went to investigate...

I was shocked by the poor state of repair. The window sills were rotten, the garden gate had fallen off and internal doors were off their hinges.

I was welcomed into the homes of Mrs Shaibi and Mrs Kassim, both of Grimesthorpe Road, as they explained how their houses had been turned upside-down, with workmen leaving jobs incomplete. Their carpets have been rolled up for weeks as they waited for replacement floorboards in the hallways and kitchen. Quoted four weeks to complete the job, the work has taken months, and now both families have had enough.

“The Inspector came in August,” Mrs Shaibi said, “The work should have been finished by 7th September and it’s now October. One worker turned up, did half a job and then went. I rang to find out what had happened but no one returned my call. The floorboards are still loose and in some cases split where they haven’t been fitted properly. I have grandchildren, friends and family constantly visiting, as well as Ramadham and Eid happening soon.” Her daughter explained that hygiene before prayer is very important but is impossible to keep the house clean with the work half finished.

When Mrs Shaibi had her kitchen units replaced, contractors only installed half the original number. “Apparently, it’s all I’m entitled to,” she said. Now Mrs Kassim is afraid to ask for her units to be replaced in case she is left short of storage space, but she feels that her kitchen units are dangerous and she is struggling with a mice infestation. “I’ve waited five months for work to be done. When they finally came, they left a large hole in the hallway for three days. I tripped and twisted my ankle. They’ve even left building materials behind.” She showed me her badly-bruised ankle and piles of wood still stacked in her hallway. “The Inspector said we could have new window frames but nothing has ever been done.”

But possibly the most serious of allegations is that the workmen appear to have no respect for the households they’re working in, Mrs Shaibi told me that one worker appeared to have been drinking and was smoking in the house.

They have both spent a lot of time on the phone to various housing officials but nothing has been done. Mrs Shaibi’s daughter said, “I wouldn’t like to think that the Council hasn’t taken this seriously because my mother and her neighbour don’t speak English very well, but it does make you think.”

Kier promise prompt response

The Messenger put these concerns to Simon Bullen, the Service Manager for Keir Sheffield, who said:

“We are committed to improving the repair service for all tenants. We take all complaints very seriously, and will investigate these promptly. We will visit both properties next Monday to assess the situation and take any further action as required.”

Who are Kier Sheffield?

Kier Sheffield LLP took over day-to-day maintenance of council properties in April this year. The council own a twenty percent stake in a ‘limited liability partnership’ with private company The Kier Group owning the rest, in a contract that is worth more than £600 million over the next ten years. This is the largest such partnership in the country. As well as Sheffield housing stock, Kier are also responsible for maintaining Islington Council’s properties.

The 1,200 Kier workers were all transferred from the previous contractor.

Kier proudly boast of the many awards they have won for good health and safety, and of their place in the Sunday Times’ 200 ‘Best Employers’ list two years running.

Housing Office encourage reports

Jean Burley at Burngreave Housing Office says it is important that residents report complaints, especially serious complaints about the conduct of workers, noting the date and time of the incident. If residents are struggling to talk to the right person they should contact the Burngreave Housing office who can help residents contact Kier if necessary. Jean confirmed that, in the two cases we’ve reported, some jobs had not been completed on time and that the housing office would contact the families to try to resolve the matter.

To report repairs, unfinished work or missed appointments contact Kier on 273 5555.

For any problems or complaints contact Burngreave Housing Office 203 9349.