Tenants in mouldy Oldbury flats offered new homes

Residents have reported worsening conditions at Alfred Gunn House since work began

Tenants living in damp and mouldy council flats in a Black Country tower block have been offered alternative accommodation and an apology.

In some of the flats at Alfred Gunn House in Oldbury water is dripping from ceilings and mould growing on walls.

A major refurbishment has also led to months of noise, dirt and disruption.

Sandwell Council had previously moved 87 households to alternative accommodation, but the 30 remaining said conditions had deteriorated.

The local authority has now written to all residents to offer them properties elsewhere for at least the next 12 months, or permanently if they prefer.

Speaking to the BBC in January, Ayesha Qureshi said she "used to love" her ground-floor flat.

She first moved in in 2015, but said there was now mould and dampness "everywhere".

"This place is not suitable for living, it's dangerous for our health," she said.

'Absolutely unacceptable'

Acorn, a community union that supports tenants, is representing some of the residents and welcomed the council's offer.

"We will be keeping in contact with our members in Alfred Gunn to monitor its delivery," it said.

Acorn had described the accommodation as "shocking and absolutely unacceptable".

Sandwell Council said: "Following recent inspections, changes have been made to the programme of work that mean vital services such as lifts will not be available at some point during the refurbishment.

"Therefore, we have concluded we cannot maintain reasonable living conditions for residents at Alfred Gunn House for the remainder of the project."

It promised to meet all the residents affected and added: "We have a package of financial and other support available for residents to cover the costs of moving."

Millions of pounds is being spent on the refurbishment of the 1950s tower block as well the development of extra flats, with a further £2m put aside to replace the sewage system.

The council said the renovation of Alfred Gunn House would bring "significant improvements for our tenants, with both the inside and outside of the building being upgraded as well as new kitchens and bathrooms being fitted".