Desperate residents are moving back to their apartments in a Stockport mill where there is no power or running water following catastrophic flooding.

Meadow Mill, next to the Tesco store off Portwood roundabout, flooded on New Year's Eve as heavy rain pounded Greater Manchester causing devastating damage around the region.

Emergency services helped evacuate people from the restored Stockport mill, but since then tenants have complained about a lack of updates on when they can return home.

Others have said there is confusion over whether to contact their estate agent for updates or CERT, the company managing the building.

CERT said Meadow Mill is 'not recommended for habitation' at present and lacks power to the energy supply and emergency systems.

But during a visit to the site on January 7, the Local Democracy Reporting Service saw some tenants moving back into their homes after running out of money to pay for hotels.

David Howarth has lived in Meadow Mill for a year and moved back after spending a week in a Travelodge.

David Howarth, a Meadow Mill resident who has had to spend the past week in a Travelodge (Image - Declan Carey / LDRS)

"It's freezing cold inside, I've just come back today because I'm running out of funds to spend on a hotel," he said.

"I've run out of options."

A 30-year-old resident, who asked not to be named, has moved back into her flat of four months.

She relocated to the area with her husband and the couple doesn't have family around to fall back on.

She said: "I can't keep forking out on extra accommodation, we've paid six months rent in advance for our flat so it was a big amount of our savings.

"We don't have money to pay for more accommodation and we've been told we can't claim it back. We don't know how long this is going to go on for, it's just endless. We need money for the car and food.

"It's absolutely freezing, it's just brick walls so any heat that would possibly stay is just leaving, and the weather outside is coming in. You can see your breath with how cold it is.

Inside Meadow Mill in Stockport following floods (Image - Declan Carey LDRS)

"We've put candles on just to make it a bit better, and we've got a dongle for WiFi. We're just trying to make it as nice as possible for us, but we're still eating cold meals and showering at the gym.

"It's completely dark, there's no water or electricity. Everything is run on electricity so nothing works. It's not safe, we were advised not to move in but what are we supposed to do?

"If I get ill I'll just have to try and sort it out. I'm just stressed out, I've had enough, I'm skint, and we don't feel like we're getting any help."

Amy Hayes, 34, from Droylsden, has been living in her Meadow Mill flat for a year.

Amy Hayes, another Meadow Mill resident (Image supplied)

She has been sleeping on her parent's floor since New Year's Eve, but considered going back to her apartment tomorrow despite the conditions.

Fortunately, her landlord agreed today to put her in a hotel.

"We don't have anywhere else to go," Amy said. "It's a lot of stress and everyone just wants answers."

A CERT spokesperson said: "The freeholder has permitted access during daylight hours to residents to collect belongings.

"Without power to the building the emergency systems are not operational and therefore the properties are not recommended for habitation.

"We have communicated to leaseholders and landlords and reminded landlords of their responsibilities to their tenants.

"We suggest that any tenants liaise with their landlord or letting agent if they have any questions in regards to this matter."