A tenant in a high rise tower block in Stockport said people are 'absolutely terrified' after concerns were raised about potential safety issues by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

Niamh Joyce, 26, lives in Hanover Towers on the Lancashire Hill estate in Reddish, with her three-year-old son and 17-month daughter.

The BSR issued a compliance notice in October over a number of potential safety issues in the 22-storey building, which is managed by Stockport Homes, a social housing provider.

The regulator found that Stockport Homes had 'not taken proportionate measures to manage the risk of spread of fire created by defects identified on flat entrance fire doors' in the building which was built in 1969.

An assessment of building safety risks from structural failures was deemed 'not suitable' because it 'fails to consider inherent defects with a building of this age that should be stated within the risk assessment, nor proximity of the boiler house and risks relating to fire and explosion.'

The compliance notice added: 'There are also notable contradictions within the assessment regarding structural form and fire resistance of the structural frame.'

Stockport Homes said it is carrying out additional technical work requested by the Building Safety Regulator as part of its new assessment process.

The Lancashire Hill estate (Image - Nub News)

A spokesperson added: "The regulator has required us to undertake further investigations to demonstrate compliance, completing works already planned and helping shape future investment to keep homes safe for the long term.

"Keeping residents safe is always our top priority, and we're working closely with the Regulator and specialist engineers to make sure our buildings continue to meet the highest standards.

"We are continuing to keep residents updated on progress."

Information was provided to residents in the building about the works taking place in the next few months.

This explained that the regulator had 'introduced a new process for assessing high-rise buildings across the country' which led to the compliance notice being issued.

But Ms Joyce, a tenant in Hanover Towers, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "As soon as everyone heard about the building state everyone was terrified, people are losing sleep.

"In these flats there's many families and there are elderly people living up to the 19th floor.

"It's just absolutely terrifying being here."

The resident said her experience in the building has been made worse by 'mice scratching in the wall', and issues with the lifts.

Two rodents found by Niamh Joyce - once on a blanket used by her child for sleeping, and another outside Hanover towers (Images - Niamh Joyce)

She said she found two dead mice in May, one on a blanket used by her children, and last week spotted another dead rodent outside the tower block.

She has lived in the building for five years but now wants to be moved.

"The kids are really struggling going up and down the stairs all the time, there's been times when I've had to carry my daughter in her pram down the stairs because the lift was broken," the mum-of-two told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

She added: "One time I got stuck in that lift with both my kids, it was so scary.

"If it breaks I've got to report it to Stockport Homes and they say that someone will come out to fix it, but also that they're not in a rush to do so.

"My son goes to school 20 minutes away, I'm terrified to go in the lift in case I need to go and get him and I get trapped. It makes it hard to leave the flat."

She added that rodents have become a major problem.

"We've seen them running across the kitchen floor, we can hear them in the wall scratching, there's been droppings under my kitchen sink and the other week there was a dead rat outside this building.

"I know this is not the best place to live, but I'm scared of my kids touching a dead mouse or rat, they could get really ill and all Stockport Homes are doing is putting bait down.

"I had to throw my previous couch because a mouse had eaten through it, and I had to get rid of loads of food in the cupboards, but I wasn't compensated for any of it, not even an apology.

"It's been frustrating dealing with Stockport Homes about these issues, they just don't care."

Stockport Homes headquarters in the town centre (Image - Nub News)

Stockport Homes said the lifts are being repaired within service level timescales when there are issues.

A spokesperson said: "We are sorry to hear that residents at Hanover Towers have experienced inconvenience due to recent lift issues.

"We fully understand how frustrating it can be when a lift is out of service, particularly for families living on higher floors.

"The lift at Hanover Towers is relatively new, installed in 2018 and has experienced two breakdowns in the past three months.

"On both occasions, the lift was attended to and repaired within the agreed service level timescales.

"Where a lift is expected to be out of service for a considerable period, we will proactively contact customers who may have access difficulties and offer appropriate support.

"In addition, staff will be available during the day to provide extra support where needed.

"Regarding Ms Joyce and the issue with mice, SMBC Pest Control has attended the property several times to carry out treatment.

"Unfortunately, due to lack of access, the job was closed. We will be contacting the customer to confirm if further treatment is required."