Tenants at a housing association in Stockport say their homes have been left with a backlog of repairs which have not being sorted by their landlord.

Residents in Hollywood Towers and Durham House in Edgeley told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that Stockport Homes hasn't taken their concerns about the problems seriously.

The housing association is the borough's biggest landlord and manages thousands of homes on behalf of Stockport council.

Christine Smith, 70, who lives in Hollywood Towers on Hardman Street, said: "All the services are tissue thin. They have spent a lot of money on this building doing arty things but we don't want it.

"We have security gates that people just take the locks off. It's not just this block, it's other blocks too. The entrance system has been broken since before Christmas. Fire doors don't close, one in this block has not been fixed since 2020.

"They get at least £800 per week just from this block for the concierge service which we don't need. It's a cash cow and they are making money on it."

Stockport Homes also came under fire before Christmas for conditions at the Lancashire Hill estate in Reddish, where tenants spoke about repairs being left unfixed for long periods.

It is facing pressure to provide enough housing for the growing numbers of people in Stockport looking for affordable accommodation.

Currently, it has around 6,000 on its waiting list for housing, with applicants facing competition from hundreds of other people for every property.

Despite the high demand for affordable properties, some Stockport Homes residents have faced problems with the housing association.

Beryl Davenport, 66, who lives in Durham House, said: "They put my new heating system in and it's not worked properly since. I'm lucky if I get two or three inches of hot water in the bath. I've lived here for 36 years and never had a problem with it until now.

"A pipe had burst and was not repaired for ten weeks, Stockport Homes said there was nothing wrong with it but it caused my ceiling to flood. We had another flood last week when they turned the water off on Thursday. My curtains are ruined and there's water stains on my two seater sofa.

"The building is theirs but it's my home, but I can't get that through to them."

(Image - Christine Smith)

Residents from Hollywood Towers raised more issues at Stockport council's last full council meeting on January 11.

They told the chamber that tenants are struggling with a number of problems in the block but that the housing association "will not listen" to them.

Councillors from the Edgeley Community Association (ECA) have been raising awareness of the concerns.

Councillor Asa Caton told the LDRS that he shares residents' frustrations with the housing association.

He said: "All residents want to see is a decent level of service and a robust process by which they can report issues and see them resolved in a reasonable timeframe. Stockport Homes should not be surprised by any of this.

"I have been working with SHG [Stockport Homes Group] since early 2023 to try to address the issues but I don't see any real improvement. This is why the ECA believe it is time for a wider review and why I have called for SHG to focus on its core business of managing homes until such time as they can provide the service that residents deserve."

Councillors Matt Wynne (left) and Asa Caton addressed questions from residents at a council meeting on 11 January (Image - Stockport Council)

Stockport Homes highlighted that it has held meetings with residents and councillors in the area over the past year to listen to any issues.

A spokesperson from the housing association said: "Significant investment has been made into these blocks in recent years to improve them and this continues, together with a range of opportunities for residents to contact SHG with any issues or concerns.

"This includes onsite meetings, estate walkabouts and an easily accessible complaints process should residents remain dissatisfied. We will continue to work with residents here and, following recent feedback, further meetings have been arranged at Hollywood Towers and York Street to ensure any ongoing concerns are addressed."

They added: "A large heating upgrade is currently underway at the York Street flats including Durham House to improve the energy efficiency of the system, enabling residents to have direct control of their supply and usage.

"A team is on site to address any issues that arise and to assist residents in operating the new system. We are aware of the leak at the property and this was addressed quickly by the onsite team.

"We have been liaising with residents and agreed to compensate for any damaged caused for which we apologise.

"Stockport Homes remains committed to working with residents, councillors, and stakeholders to deliver services that ensure safe homes and communities."

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