A woman from Abbots Langley claims she is being discriminated against by Thrive Homes after the housing association refused to refurbish her “rundown” flat.

Andrea Bunce, 38, of Summerhouse Way, has lived in her property for the past 12 years.

Originally leased to her by Three Rivers District Council, it was taken over by Thrive Homes in 2008.

When the housing association proceeded to update and refurbish a number of their properties across Hertfordshire, she said she believed she would be eligible to be included in the scheme.

But despite a catalogue of problems in her home including a broken toilet seat and a leaking shower, the mother-of-one has been told her property will not be included in the current phase of improvement works.

Ms Bunce, a carer, said: “Almost all the other flats in this block are having new kitchens and bathrooms fitted, but my flat is not to be included in this.

“An inspector came to visit a couple of months ago to look at the flat to see if it could be refurbished.

“We were told that the works could not be carried out as my property was too clean and tidy – perhaps I should be living in squalor.

“The lino in the kitchen is coming up making it a hazard, the motor fan on the extractor is faulty, and cabinet doors are hanging off all over the place.

“Water is leaking from the shower through the tiles to the downstairs flat – so much so my neighbour has reported water coming through his ceiling.

“His flat has been refurbished, so why not fix the problems in my flat to prevent further problems in his.

“I just want to be treated in the same way that the other tenants have been, I feel like I am being discriminated against.”

Ms Bunce claims she has repeatedly complained, but has received little response from the association.

Thrive Homes are carrying out the improvement works as part a five year programme, but said Ms Bunce is not eligible to have her kitchen and bathroom replaced as her property does not meet the “necessary requirements”.

Rosie Salkeld, spokeswoman for Thrive Homes, said: “We appreciate that it is disappointing news for our tenant - the outcome of this appeal does not mean that Ms Bunce’s home will not qualify for improvements in our later programmes of work.

“This initial programme focuses on the properties which are in the worst condition across the district. After 2013, there will be a rolling programme of improvements covering all properties identified as needing them.

“We need to be fair to all our tenants and assess properties against specific criteria (the national ‘decent homes standard’) when determining which ones to include in our internal works programme, carried out in partnership with United House.

“None of our properties fail to meet the statutory minimum standard for housing.”