A family given just over a week to leave Meriden flats for up to a year say finding somewhere to stay has been “chaos”.

Last Friday (February 9), Watford Community Housing told Cygnet House and Plover House residents that they must move out by Sunday (February 18) after a report revealed “structural defects”.

The housing provider said it would find short-term accommodation for up to six weeks before arranging a longer-term option until people can return to their York Way homes — which could take 12 months.

However, one resident, who did not want to be named, told the Watford Observer on Thursday that she and her children still have not had anywhere arranged just days before they had to leave.

The family were offered Airbnb’s to stay in, but suitable properties had repeatedly cancelled on the host’s side. None of the placements have been in the Meriden or Garston areas, where the children go to school.

Yesterday (February 16), the mum decided there was no choice but to move in with family in the town.

Watford Observer: Cygnet and Plover House.Cygnet and Plover House. (Image: Meriden Kitchen)

“It’s going to be cramped, and they can’t even give me a timeframe of how long it's going to be,” she said.

“My children are just confused. I suppose they don’t know what’s going on but it’s crazy. Stressful, that’s what it is, stressful…I just feel sorry for my kids.”

Others have been placed as far away as Harrow and St Albans, although Watford Community Housing says accommodation further afield has only been arranged when residents requested it for personal reasons.

She added: “At the beginning it sounded like everything was going to be easy.

Watford Observer: Cygnet House.Cygnet House. (Image: Battal Ustek)

“It’s been the complete opposite of that. A lot of people have just been messed around.”

A spokesperson said WCH has been “working hard” to find temporary and longer-term accommodation for all those affected.

They added: “Moving residents into new accommodation is a precautionary measure, so that our contractors can carry out the necessary surveys and remedial works to the buildings in the coming weeks.

“We will continue to liaise directly with the affected residents, and we are providing them with all the support that they need.”

Residents and businesses in the building have also questioned the short notice they were given. Some had seen “holes” being cut in the walls of communal areas for tests as early as September last year.

Watford Observer: The homes were built in 2021.The homes were built in 2021. (Image: Stephen Danzig)

Months later, families had WCH staff knock on the door and tell them they must be gone in just nine days.

“I thought it was a complete joke,” the resident added.

A spokesperson from the construction company, Mulalley, said: “Our initial investigations at the end of 2023 revealed that more surveys were required by our specialist engineers, in order to understand more about the structure of the building.

“These subsequent surveys then took place in 2024, and their recommendations have made clear that whilst the building is safe, remedial works will be required.

“We are working closely with Watford Community Housing to ensure that further surveys take place, and any necessary works are carried out.”