A Dundee lorry driver has told how he woke up to find water running down the walls of his council flat.
Paul Gagin says he is dreading facing a second Christmas in the Menzieshill property, which he claims has ruined clothes and furniture worth hundreds of pounds because it is so damp.
The 53-year-old has also had pools of water gathering on his window sills due to condensation.
‘Gaping holes’ at living room window
He told The Courier: “The flat is dreadful. It’s freezing, damp and the living room window doesn’t even fit properly with gaping holes at the top letting the cold in.
“This makes the room so cold that I can’t live in it. I spend all my time in my bedroom because the living room is basically uninhabitable but that room is cold and damp too.
“I woke up one morning recently with water running down the walls and causing the wallpaper to peel off.
“I am now dreading being here for a second Christmas. I spent a miserable Christmas in the flat last year and had hoped that by this year I would be in a much better flat.
“However, I’m still here and I can’t stand the thought of another Christmas like last. The flat is an absolute nightmare.”
Paul now fears the conditions are starting to make him ill.
Fears for health
He said: “I suffered from a collapsed lung a few years ago. The damp in the flat is now affecting my health.
“I have been to see a doctor because I have been having chest problems.”
Paul says he moved into the council-owned Leith Walk flat in September 2020 after becoming homeless.
Until then he had been living with his mum at her home in Linlathen.
He claims he was told it would only be for a “short time” but so far he has not been given an alternative place to live.
Paul says that despite his efforts to make the flat more comfortable and attractive, underlying problems with the property make that impossible.
He said: “I bought myself a nice new leather suite but it has been ruined with the damp.
“I have painted the walls in the bathroom and kitchen but the paint won’t even dry because the walls are so damp.
“I am due to get married next May and had bought nice new clothes for my honeymoon.
“However, I have had to throw them all out because they have been ruined with the damp.”
‘There was water everywhere’
A further issue was discovered when he returned from a shopping trip to find his kitchen flooded after an issue with pipes in the building.
He added: “Loads of stuff, including my washing machine were ruined in the flood.
“There was water everywhere. It’s ruined the units and I had to throw my washing machine out and get a new one.
“Six weeks ago someone came to measure the windows and I thought at last they would be replaced.
“No one has been back since. I don’t know where to turn next. I’m getting no help from the council and meantime I’m having to live in these conditions.
“This is making my life awful. I’m desperate to get help.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “We have been engaging with Mr Gagin in order to resolve the matter.”
