A disabled man was forced to live in a tiny flat filled with mould for months – and was relocated a day before an environmental health inspection. Terry Boyce, a resident at a controversial office block conversion in South Bristol, said the mould in his flat had grown to the extent that he was struggling to breathe.
The resident, who was also having to throw out blankets and clothes, was finally relocated to an empty flat within the same building earlier this week. Over the past couple of years, BristolLive has reported on many concerns from residents at Imperial Apartments, who have shared their worries about antisocial behaviour and living conditions there.
In 2022, the council carried out a review into the former Parkview office complex in Hengrove and found that, while the site is ‘suitable for many families with children’, it admitted the situation required further improvement. There are 465 units of private rented accommodation at Imperial Apartments and Bristol City Council rent out 316 of them, more than two-thirds of the total.
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Terry an asthma sufferer who takes 46 tablets a day as a result of his multiple disabilities, said he had been complaining to Caridon Group – who manage the site – since July. In a letter sent to tenants on September 12, the company acknowledged that several properties were experiencing damp and mould, but Terry had no choice but to remain in the flat and was only moved a day before an environmental health officer was scheduled to inspect the property.
The 50-year-old, who was internally relocated last Monday (September 23), said that the Environmental Health officer cancelled her visit which was set to take place last Tuesday (September 24) because the company temporarily moved him out of the flat. In an email sent to Terry on Monday, September 16, the Environmental Health officer wrote that, in addition to the reported damp and mould, she was “aware of concerns regarding fire safety” and would also inspect the property “to determine whether there are any hazards”.
Terry is now out of the flat, uncertain when he will return, but said he would like to move out of Imperial Apartments permanently because he doesn’t think it is suitable for a person with disabilities. He struggles to use the bathroom and claimed he has previously had his disability vehicle damaged by rats chewing it.
The resident said the flat within the same building where he currently lives means an even longer walk to the car park, making it more difficult for Terry to leave the building which he said feels like “a prison”. Terry is not the first resident to compare the site to a prison, with a resident there already making that comparison back in 2021.
Speaking about his temporary move across the building, Terry said: “I’ve spent a fortune washing clothes after everything was left covered in mould but they haven’t given me anything. I waited hours in the car park for staff to help me after the wheel broke on the trolley I was using but they just walked passed and ignored me.
“When they moved me all I had was a bed in there and I couldn’t even cook. When they know you’re disabled, you’d think they would help you but no one gives a crap.”
However, Terry said he is unable to bid for other properties because he was “kicked off” Home Choice – the council’s service to apply for social housing – in March due to not supplying them with an address and, after making a new application, is still not able to apply for alternative housing.
On September 19, Caridon wrote to Terry informing him of the council’s advice to relocate Terry to a different flat while works were being carried out on the mould, but at that point, no commitment was made to this taking place. And, although the email mentions compensation for the additional costs Terry has endured as a result of the damp and mould believed to be caused by damage to a waste pipe under the ground floor of the building, the offer appears vague and Terry said he has not yet received anything from the multi-million pound company Caridon.
In an email from Caridon dated September 19, a company employee told Terry: “A dehumidifier will be provided in the morning to speed up the drying out process. I will reimburse you the electricity charge for its recommended use.
“A structural assessment will be carried out in the coming days to assess what works beyond treatment and decoration may need to be carried out. I’ve spoken with the Council who have advised me to support an internal decant whilst works are being undertaken.
“I’ll talk to you more about this tomorrow (I know the location relative to the car park will be a factor) but keen we find a resolution. I have an update on payment for the disruption, will discuss this with you in the morning.”
Response from Imperial Apartments
A spokesperson for Caridon Property said: “Like all large developments, occasional issues can arise, but we are committed to addressing them swiftly and efficiently. We have consistently prioritised tenant welfare and responded promptly to any maintenance and pest control issues raised by our residents and we are happy to provide a full timeline of our response.
“Despite what seems like ongoing efforts to misrepresent the facts and our work when it comes to Imperial Apartments, we are confident that our actions reflect our commitment to tenant safety and well-being. We pride ourselves on being transparent and proactive in addressing genuine tenant inquiries and complaints, and it is crucial for us that the broader context of our efforts is understood.
“We responded immediately to reports of bedbugs, conducted multiple inspections, and engaged professional pest control to perform treatment where necessary. We even insisted on inspections when tenants expressed reluctance, ensuring the safety and hygiene of the property for all residents.
“Our team addressed the mould problems caused by external factors such as the burst pipe incident, with repairs and treatments carried out in accordance with industry standards. In all cases, we communicated regularly with tenants, offering guidance on mitigation and next steps.
“We have maintained open and transparent communication with tenants, local representatives, and stakeholders. Our response has always been swift and thorough, demonstrating our commitment to resolving issues in the best interest of our residents.
“We have a dedicated community engagement worker focusing on wellbeing, community engagement and parenting. We work closely with specialist third sector partners to address social inequality and exclusion, and continually support residents in all sorts of ways that go beyond housing.
“The narrative that we are neglecting tenant concerns is false. Our actions demonstrate the opposite—we remain dedicated to ensuring all tenants live in safe, well-maintained homes, while also creating a positive, supportive living environment.
“It is worth noting that housing allocations are made by the local council, not Caridon, and we do our best to accommodate the needs of every tenant within the limits of our available properties. In cases where tenants are dissatisfied with their housing, we work to find solutions, but we cannot move tenants to meet individuals’ personal preferences.
“What we can and do provide is safe, secure accommodation and extensive support services. Our focus will always remain on our tenants—addressing their concerns, supporting their well-being, and fostering a community environment.
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “Imperial Apartments is privately managed by Caridon, who are responsible for providing safe and secure accommodation at this site. We expect all landlords to investigate complaints raised by their tenants and to take appropriate action when required.”
Fire safety officers from Avon Fire and Rescue Service are due to conduct an audit of the premises on Monday 30 September.