A 28-year-old tenant of Birmingham City Council has been forced to live in a Travelodge hotel for almost seven months after a severe rat infestation and a live sewer manhole were discovered in her flat’s bedroom. The property, located in Kingstanding, was declared unsafe, forcing her and her schoolboy brother—whom she cares for—into temporary housing.
The tenant has endured six years of battling rats and living beside a live manhole cover in the bedroom. Despite multiple proofing attempts, two disrepair claims, involvement from the Housing Ombudsman, and even intervention by her local MP, the issues persisted. After being moved out, she is now paying approximately £1,200 each month to cover both the hotel stay and rent for her flat, which remains uninhabitable.
Birmingham City Council replaced her kitchen and bathroom during recent repairs, but the tenant says that cosmetic updates were not her priority. “I never wanted compensation or cosmetic upgrades; I just wanted a safe and suitable home to live in and ideally a move given the history of the property,” she stated.
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When she visited the flat after the work was reportedly completed, she noticed outstanding issues, including damage caused during repairs such as ruined carpets and underlay. Additionally, she was left with a permanently sealed manhole in the middle of her bedroom floor—a feature that was not present before—and an unpleasant lingering odor.
She expressed frustration that the council has declined to provide compensation for the damages sustained during the repair process. Meanwhile, she continues to live in temporary accommodation for nearly seven months, while still paying rent and bills for her flat tenancy.
Despite being classified as Band A priority, she remains far down the housing queue, with many others rehoused ahead of her. “I did not put myself in this situation; the condition of the property and the ongoing issues are what led to this,” she said. “At this stage, I am exhausted by the whole process. My priority has always been stability and having somewhere I feel safe and comfortable living in.”
Birmingham City Council has been contacted for comment.