| Joe Hepburn (30) has lived in Ninewells Court for around seven years and was the victim of an attempted break-in two weeks ago when someone tried to burst the lock from his door, leaving a large crack from the letterbox downwards.
Mr Hepburn, who stays with his partner Lisa Flynn (26) and their eight-month-old baby Ryley, alerted the council as soon as he discovered the damage, but says they were reluctant to fix it at first.
“I was away fishing and Lisa had popped out to the shops for about 20 minutes,” he explained. “Lisa thinks she might have disturbed the person when she was coming up in the lift, as you can hear it from the landing.
“When we first called the council we were told it wouldn’t be patched up as the door was still able to be locked. I complained again and someone finally came to board up the hole.”
The couple were then told someone from the housing department would come to measure the door so a new one could be made.
When no-one arrived, they got in touch again and were told a housing officer would come first, then measurements taken at a later date.
Two weeks later, Mr Hepburn and his partner are still waiting.
“There’s always got to be someone in now,” he went on. “These break-ins are happening in all the multis, so either I stay at home or Lisa does.
“I’m away to start a new job, so it’s about to get even more difficult — and it’s not fair for Ryley because he’s been missing out on all the good weather.”
Mr Hepburn went on to say the council was boarding up the empty houses in the block and he was fearful their house would become a target.
“When we spoke to the council we were told people have been trying to get into empty houses so they can steal the boilers.”
He added the couple were beginning to feel abandoned as residents continued to leave the block, which will be razed at some point in the future.
“The multis just aren’t the same anymore,” he explained. “There are only about 12 houses occupied now. We’ve been asking to be re-housed for a long time, but we’re always told we’re on a list.”
After being contacted by the Tele yesterday, a spokesman for the council said a joiner would be visiting the property with a view to a new door being fitted by the end of the week.
Of the couple’s housing situation, he said, “We are hoping to have Mr Hepburn re-housed fairly soon.” |
