Lincolnshire dad claims council house puts his family in danger

Ian Miller moved into the council house in Holbeach last year

A disabled dad of three said he "doesn't feel safe" in his own home after the kitchen ceiling collapsed.

Ian Miller, 51, who lives in a council house in Holbeach, said he was tidying up the kitchen with his son when there was "an almighty great crash".

"Part of the ceiling fell down, some of it landed on top of my son and the dust kicked up caused me to have a bit of an asthma attack," he said.

South Holland District Council said it has scheduled repairs for the ceiling.

Mr Miller, who is registered disabled and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which causes breathing difficulties, said he had already spent thousands of pounds of his own money to tackle damp and mould in the house.

He said he was forced to move to the property last year after facing anti-social behaviour issues at his previous home.

Mr Miller said he was tidying up the kitchen when he heard "an almighty crash"

South Holland District Council said the ceiling issue was reported to them on 7 February and investigated the following morning, when operatives "confirmed it was safe".

Mr Miller also claims the floor in the bathroom bounces and is supported by rotten beams, meaning his children are afraid to use the shower.

He stated he wants the house to "be maintained properly" with a "decent standard of living" and does not want to uproot his children again by moving.

Council investigation

A South Holland District Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the situation with this tenant and his council property in Holbeach, our officers worked with the tenant to move him into the property in question as requested in June of last year.

"Before moving in, the property received and passed a full inspection in accordance with our policies and procedures and was found to be free from any form of damp or mould."

The spokesperson said the debris was cleared on 8 February and works have been scheduled to repair and replaster the ceiling.

"At present we can find no discernible reason as to why this occurred but our Housing Services officers continue their investigations", they added.