A woman who suffers from a number of health issues says she has been living in a ‘danger property’ without central heating for nearly six months.

The tenant, who suffers from epilepsy, revealed the property had been deemed ‘unsafe’ to live in by the council and had multiple failings. All this whilst she still had to pay £550 a month.

She said with freezing temperatures gripping the country she was being forced to wrap up and put up.

A prohibition order has been served on the private landlord by the Housing and Environmental Health team at Pendle Borough Council.

Pendle Council said its staff had visited the property and advised the tenant to find an alternative accommodation.

The landlord said his team had wanted to complete the work numerous times but the tenant would not let them work during the day was 'uncooperative'.

Official documents to the landlord say the property in Leeds Road had a number of hazards.

The landlord was asked to carry out work on the gas central heating system, to replace the gas fire and carry out gas safety checks.

The prohibition order lists electrical hazards, fire hazards, domestic, hygiene and refuse hazards.

Pictures from the property show damp and holes in parts of the building, with a kitchen sink installed on top of a gas meter.

Joanne Talbot, 49, who lives at the property with her partner who is also her carer said the property was not fit to live in.

She told us: “It has been like this for a while. We have complained to the landlord.

"Bits of work get started and then stop. All I get told is that ‘it will get sorted’.

“It is just so freezing and we are having to wrap up all the time.

“I don’t think anyone should have to live like this. It is falling to bits. It’s a shambles.

“It is cold and it is going to get colder.

“I have a number of health issues and I am glad I have someone to take care of me.”

Joanne said some panelling work had startedJoanne said some work had started with some panelling but remained unfinished.

She said she would find alternative accommodation but was told there would be no room for her partner and carer.

The landlord refuted the claims and said: "We have tried numerous times to come and fix any defects but the tenant has not allowed us to compete the work.

"Workers are not going to do jobs later in the day and into the evening.

"We do need access to the property and need to change the boiler but there is no cooperation."

Pendle Council said it visited the property following a complaint about the standard of the property. 

The tenant shared images from the property which has not central heating. The council said they had visited the home and were working to assist the tenant.A council spokesperson said: “The visit and assessment revealed that the property was in poor condition and the most appropriate course of action available to the council was to prohibit the use of the property. 

“The tenant was advised that the Prohibition Order placed a duty on her to move out of the property and a duty on the landlord to cease to permit the occupancy of the property until works are completed to a satisfactory standard.

“The tenant was referred to the Council’s Housing Needs team and she was offered alternative accommodation, but she refused this offer. 

“The tenant has been asked on more than one occasion to revise her B-With-Us (Social Housing) application and provide further details to enable greater options for rehousing as per her preference but has not done so. 

“Ultimately, she needs to vacate the property for safety reasons.  

“Pendle Borough Council will continue to work with both the landlord and the tenant. 

“We would strongly advise the tenant to get in contact with the Housing Needs team and provide the information requested.”

Attempts have been made to contact the landlord, but have so far been unsuccessful.