A couple with breathing problems said they are being pushed “from pillar to post” trying to get a housing association to fix cracks in their house exposing daylight.

Martin and Paula O'Shea of Fairfield Avenue, South Oxhey, who both suffer with asthma said Thrive Homes have failed to repair faults and “subsidence” going back years.

Martin, a grass cutter for Ringway, said he has contacted the housing provider “every other week” trying to explain the problem but no one called him back.

He said: “The cracks and subsidence started about two years ago. But my neighbour told me Thrive had been repairing cracks in our building five years ago.

“We have got cracks on the outside of our house, in the kitchen, the windows, up our stairs, in all the bedrooms.

“There are times when I can hear the building cracking and a week ago we saw a crack run from one side of the room to the other.

“I know there is subsidence because there is a split through the plinth above mine and my neighbours’ door going up the house and it’s wider at the top.

“Thrive Homes told me it is ‘surface cracking’, they said the same about cracks inside. It’s insulting, they’re just not interested.”

Mr O'Shea said he has contacted Thrive Homes “at least five times” in the last week and “numerous” times since the problems began.

He said Thrive visited his home “four or five times” in the past but no work was carried out.

He added: “We can see daylight through our roof, we have also got damp and me and the wife are asthmatic.

“Thrive told me we were causing a certain amount of water with our breath contributing to the damp.

“I couldn’t stop laughing when they said this, I have never heard anything like it.

“The cracks in my neighbour’s place are worse than mine. When it’s windy they can hear it whistling through.

“You live in limbo with Thrive. I am being pushed from pillar to post having to re-explain it to new staff all the time.”

Mr O'Shea said he had started decorating his home but quickly gave up saying “why should I bother?”.

He added: “It’s disgusting, I want the house done properly because I pay full rent on it and expect them to maintain it.”

Watford Observer:

Watford Observer:

Mr O'Shea said he and his wife are even considering legal advice if the proper repairs are not carried out.

A spokesperson for Thrive Homes said: “In April of this year a surveyor visited Mr and Mrs O’Shea’s home who identified minor surface cracks that would be rectified as part of Thrive’s external decorations programme during 2020/21.

“Since then Mr and Mrs O’Shea have reported that the cracks have worsened and when we returned to inspect the property, a decision was made to refer this to our insurers for further investigation.

“In the meantime, following a further request by Mr and Mrs O’Shea, we revisited the property on October 23 and are satisfied that it is safe and that no immediate action is required.

“Currently we are waiting for our insurers to finalise their inspection of the property and to receive their recommendations.”