Council tenant waiting over a year for flood damage repairs

Lorraine Turpie at the stairs which still show signs of dampness more than a year on, and the bannister is beginning to wobble.

Despite being the first tenant in the new build on Beatty Crescent, Lorraine Turpie gave a list of repairs in the first week, but lingering problems from the flood are still evident.

The council told her all the problems had been fixed, but a year later workmen discovered mouldy flooring.

Lorraine has been forced to pay independent contractors out of her own pocket to investigate the dampness. The council offered compensation but it didn’t even cover the cost of the contractor.

The flooring has become covered in mould or nildew in many places.

Lorraine said: “I’ve been told the whole house was three inches underwater.

“The bannister is beginning to wobble off, which I think is because the wood’s all rotten underneath.

“The stairs are still wet. A lot of it isn’t initially visible. If I’d seen it all before then I wouldn’t have moved in.

“When I got the damp detectors they had to pull up a lot of the flooring because it was soaking wet.

“The panels were covered in black mould. I was breathing that for a year. The council sent a letter saying they’d done all they were going to do.”

Fife Council service manager Louise Sutherland said the complaints have been dealt with. She added: “This brand new property was ready to let and signed off by all the appropriate agencies before Ms Turpie moved in.

“However, as with many new build properties, there were some snagging issues including a leak under the bath, but these have all been dealt with, and compensation has been offered to Ms Turpie for any inconvenience caused.

“We are aware that Ms Turpie continues to have concerns and we will work to liaise with her and the developer to allay those concerns.”