Leaking roofs, black mould and bad plumbing are among the many concerns facing residents of Charford Court, Port-of-Spain.
The residents, through their homeowners’ group, Charford Court Community Association, has called on their landlord, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to intervene.
They claim the HDC has not been addressing the root cause.
Public Relations Officer Marvin John told Guardian Media that one of their main issues is the proper provision of water. He said many residents cannot use their bathrooms, and that they have written numerous letters to the HDC and their Member of Parliament, Stuart Young without any recourse.
The residents said they also have to deal with cracked walls and other environmental issues at the site.
Phillip Lynch speaks to Guardian Media about the water problems he has been having at his Charford Court apartment.
SHIRLEY BAHADUR
In 2020, contractors worked on the buildings but the residents say most of the job was not completed properly.
Elderly resident, Gloria Jones told the Guardian Media that years ago they fixed her electrical panel, left the door uncovered and never came back.
She added that when there are overflows of water from apartments on higher floors, the water flows into panel boxes below.
“Residents have lost televisions, appliances, you can name it, even cupboards and many now don’t have cupboards because you cannot build due to the water just flowing in the apartments. There are residents who have not been able to paint their apartments for a year due to mould and other issues that are being created from these leaks,” Marvin John said.
“I would really like HDC to come and to bring the proper people and see what is exactly taking place to fix our problem,” John lamented
“HDC also has an office in our compound and still nothing, they want us to protest but we are not that type of people.”
The HDC replied to a request for comment, saying it was aware of the situation and would make a statement on the issue soon.
Gloria Jones points to an open electrical panel left open by a contractor at her Chafford Court, Port-of-Spain, Bld D, Apt 205.
SHIRLEY BAHADUR