Angus Council has been accused of forcing a vulnerable Forfar woman with severe learning difficulties from her home after failing to stem a flood in her council house.
Lindsey Grassie, 55, has been given temporary accommodation with one of her carers after water began leaking through her kitchen ceiling.
Her exasperated brother Grant explained the leak had been going on for 11 days, but Lindsey has only been able to secure alternative accommodation until Thursday.
He said the experience is causing his vulnerable sister considerable distress and questioned why no-one can find a stopcock to stop the water ingress.
He said: “This is really unsettling for Lindsey, her behaviour has got hyper.
“I am her welfare guardian and employ six full time staff and four bank staff to look after her.
“I have heard nothing back from the council at all.
“Because I employ staff I was told I was liable for insurance.
“Due to health and safety we have had to shut off the flat completely and move Lindsey out in case they slip in the kitchen.
“I tried to get emergency accommodation for her but was told the council has nothing in the whole of Angus.
“I spoke to the social work’s weekend out of hours’ team but nothing has been done at all.”
Lindsey moved out of her flat on Saturday morning after one of the staff members volunteered to take her.
Grant continued: “She can stay there until Thursday but after that I will have to make alternative arrangements.”
He explained the water was coming in through the kitchen ceiling and, what started as a trickle, is now a steady stream.
Grant placed containers on the floor to catch the water and has to empty them frequently.
He continued: “Three inspection hatches have been cut in the ceiling to try to find out where the water is coming from.
“The whole thing is ridiculous. Nobody knows where the stopcock is.
“It might be that it is built into the kitchen units but you would think the council would have a blueprint for things like this.”
Grant is urging Angus Council to find a solution as quickly as possible.
He added: “Lindsey was in Strathmartine Hospital for eight years and then Finavon Court old folk’s home in Forfar before she got her own home where she has been thriving and has become more articulate.”
An Angus Council spokesman said: “We are doing our utmost to support our tenant in what are difficult circumstances and find a satisfactory solution to this problem.
“To say we cannot find the leak is not correct – we understand it may originate from a neighbouring address which is privately owned and for which we have not been given access to conduct a thorough investigation.
“We continue with efforts to bring this to a swift and satisfactory conclusion for all.
“Temporary accommodation is very limited in terms of immediate availability and we will always ask if people are able to stay with relatives or friends in the first instance.”
