An 85-year-old man has had rain pouring through the ceiling of his Fife Council house for three weeks.
Bob Robertson was discharged from hospital on November 17 to find three tiles on the roof of his St Andrews home broken.
Despite reporting the problem to the council the following day, repairs have yet to be made – although officers have now pledged to look at the situation again as a matter of urgency.
Meanwhile, Bob’s bedroom carpet is soaking and wallpaper is beginning to peel off the ceiling.
And despite having his arm in a sling following an operation at Ninewells Hospital, he says he was told to clean up the resulting black mould himself.
Bob’s 81-year-old disabled wife Jean is due to be discharged from respite care on December 23.
And the former RAF firefighter is worried sick.
He said: “What if it’s still like this when Jean’s sent home?
“We only have one bedroom and it’s not habitable.”
Dreading the cold as snow forecast
Bob spent eight days in hospital after falling in the garden and injuring his hand.
And he said: “When I got back home there was water running down the inside of the bedroom wall.
“The place was freezing and the carpet was soaking.
“I reported it to Fife Council on the 18th of November and someone came out to inspect it on the 22nd.
“To date, nothing else has been done.”
He added: “It’s the stress of it.
“There’s snow forecast for later in the week and I’m dreading the cold weather and having to try to heat the place.”
‘Scunnered with the whole thing’
Bob and Jean’s Dunolly Place bungalow is specially designed for older tenants.
And the couple have lived there for around seven years.
“We pay around £500 a month in rent and council tax and it’s always been a great wee place,” said Bob.
“But now the paper his coming away from the ceiling and we’re wondering what the attic must be like.
“I’m just scunnered with the whole thing.”
After being contacted by The Courier, Fife Council’s lead housing officer Katie Pentland said the service would look again at the Robertsons’ roof.
And she added: “We will visit Mr Robertson in the next few days to reassure him that this work will be done as soon as possible.
“We would urge anyone with a repair emergency to get in touch on 03451 550011 or www.fife.gov.uk/housing repairs.”
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