The Housing Ombudsman has published two severe maladministration findings for Longhurst Group, due to its response to repair issues, which left a disabled resident with maggots falling from the kitchen ceiling due to dead rats and mould growing on the walls.

The Ombudsman’s investigation found severe maladministration in both Longhurst’s response to the resident’s reports of various repair issues at the property and its handling of the subsequent complaint.

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said: “It is deeply concerning that a vulnerable resident lived with a category one hazard for some eighteen months without the matter being resolved.  There were lengthy delays by the landlord in carrying out many repairs at the property. While the landlord investigated and undertook to take action in relation to the roof, damp and mould and wet room, these matters are still outstanding. All this had a seriously detrimental effect on a vulnerable resident”.