Woman told to leave flat 'fears becoming homeless'

Melissa Finch was told to leave her flat after inspectors identified fire safety concerns

A woman who was ordered to leave her privately rented flat over fire safety concerns has said she is afraid of becoming permanently homeless.

Melissa Finch, who said she was told by Trafford Council in December to leave her home in Hale, has been temporarily staying at a friend's property in Wythenshawe.

The 51-year-old, who lost her sales job before Christmas, said she was now "effectively homeless" and has been struggling to find new employment "because I have no settled address".

A Trafford Council spokesperson said Ms Finch had been offered alternative accommodation while efforts to find her a permanent home continue.

'Unacceptable'

During a routine inspection of her flat in Hale, a fridge was found pushed up against the door of a cellar that Ms Finch had been using as a bedroom.

Council officers said this was unsafe since the fridge would block her escape in the event of a fire.

They issued a prohibition order instructing the landlord to make improvements before she can return.

Ms Finch described the temporary accommodation she had been offered by the council as "unacceptable" and "somewhere I know I wouldn't feel safe".

Ms Finch told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the fridge had been removed and strip lighting installed by her landlord.

She said: "I understand the issue about safety, but the landlord has done his best to solve the problem, but they still say I can't live there. It's ridiculous."

The friend's home where she is currently staying has been sold and she now fears she will become homeless.

Nathan Evans, leader of the Conservative group on Trafford Council, said: "This is a really sad situation. I am trying to work with the council to try to find a remedy."

"The tenant has been placed in the priority band on the council's housing register in line with her current situation", the council spokesperson said.

"The landlord has been instructed to carry out the required safety improvements before the property can be let out again.

"We offer our sympathy and have offered to place her in alternative emergency accommodation while we work on finding her a permanent home."