Anger over flats plagued by rats and cockroaches

People living in an apartment block have described facing faulty lifts, a rat infestation in the car park, and cockroaches climbing up the bin chutes and into their homes.

Residents of the 100-flat tower on Camp Street in Salford said that despite paying £200 a month in maintenance fees, there was no caretaker and the lobby was only cleaned twice a month.

One said a rats nest lived in his hallway "for five months", and another with serious health problems claimed she could not leave home due to the lift being broken "for weeks on end".

Onward Homes apologised for the "distress and inconvenience" caused to residents, and said tackling pests was "an absolute priority".

"I can't go see my family, I can't take my son to school, or speak to his teachers, I'm just stuck in the flat," said Sarah Singh.

Due to her kidney failure and mobility issues, Singh has been relying on her son to collect food and other essentials because the broken lift leaves her trapped in her flat.

"It feels like I'm putting him at risk, and I don't know what I would do if something happens to him and I can't get down there," the 47-year-old said.

Singh said she would move out straight away if she could.

Resident of 17 years Nick Barlow, 39, who works in hospitality, said he used be very proud of where he lived, but described his home as "embarrassing".

"In the last three days I've seen eight rats, and I keep finding cockroaches everywhere in my apartment.

"But like everyone else here, I can't afford to just up and move, and and we shouldn't have to, either. We're paying for the building to be maintained."

Other residents told of a man in a wheelchair who had to be carried up three flights by his wife, cockroaches falling on people's heads, and dogs facing off against rats in the car park, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A spokesperson for Onward Homes said: "We apologise for the distress and inconvenience that has been caused to residents of Camp Street arising from the lift breaking down and the time to source and fit specialist parts.

"The lift is now in full working order."

It added: "We want to reassure residents that we are committed to tackling pests as an absolute priority.

"A pest control programme is underway across the whole estate, which includes a baiting programme and closure of any identified entry points.

"This work will continue until these issues are fully resolved."

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