Housing swap tenant 'embarrassed' by state of home

Colin Hanwell moved 100 miles from Newport to Solihull but says the switch hasn't gone well

A man who moved 100 miles for a housing swap says the state of his new property has left him "embarrassed and broken".

Colin Hanwell downsized from his home in Newport, Wales, to a bungalow in Solihull, West Midlands, as part of a housing association mutual exchange.

But on the day he moved in he claims he was met with mould, cat litter and a stench of cannabis.

Solihull Council apologised but insisted the process and responsibilities of each party are set out in advance.

A mutual exchange is a house swap where two tenants from different councils or housing associations agree to move into each other's homes.

Mr Hanwell visited the property six weeks before he moved in and claimed he had agreed on work that needed to be done, which included plasterwork repairs and a deep clean.

But the 58-year-old said it remained in a poor state of repair when he arrived in early June.

"The day I moved in I couldn't actually get anything in," he said. "There was cat litter and mess everywhere."

Mould at the property has left Mr Hanwell feeling 'broken'

Mr Hanwell, who is on Universal Credit for health reasons, moved because he could no longer afford the bedroom tax on his previous home.

The part-time gardener explained a Midlands move had made sense because his fiance lives in Kidderminster.

But he said the process had left him feeling "abandoned" by Solihull Council's housing arm.

He claimed a strong stench of "ammonia" meant he was suffering nose bleeds and itchy eyes, and he was "embarrassed" to invite guests around.

The council apologised and said repairs had been arranged

Mr Hanwell said he had spent £800 to get the property up to scratch and believed the local authority should pay.

In a letter seen by the BBC, bosses told him they were only able to provide paint and brushes "as a gesture of good will".

"It has broken me," he added. "I sit here crying."

Dr Mark Wilson scrutinises Solihull Council on housing matters

Councillor Mark Wilson, who scrutinises the local authority on housing issues, said he believed tenants should be treated better.

"It's unacceptable," he said. "Improvements have to be made. Somebody shouldn't have their health compromised because they're moving home."

Solihull Community Housing said it was sorry Mr Hanwell was upset about his exchange.

A spokesperson insisted utilities checks were carried out but cleanliness was the responsibility of the outgoing tenant.

"Officers met with Mr Hanwell after he had moved in, following the issues he raised, and have investigated these," a statement read.

"We are satisfied all our processes have been followed and have confirmed a date with Mr Hanwell for when the final repairs will be carried out."