A council said it will carry out a site inspection at a block of flats after residents raised numerous complaints over the state of living conditions.

Tenants living at Newspaper House, off Railway Road, in Blackburn said they had been waiting for months for a single lift at the property to be fixed.

The building was renovated in 2017 and now houses 67 flats across five floors, including a basement, in offices formerly home to the Lancashire Telegraph.

The majority of the tenants in the building are professional workers within the NHS, the local council and other private sector organisations.

A sign at the front door says the property is now managed by Lambert Smith Hampton Residential.

Earlier in November, the management company said a contractor would be out to inspect and then fix the lift and also shared images which it says show the corridors and the bin area were cleaned on a regular basis.

Tenants have said monthly rents at Newspaper House start from £575, and rise to £700 plus utility bills. 

Council tax is paid separately and on average people were paying around £100 a month.

A service charge of £50 is also charged to cover maintenance of communal areas.

The council said it had not received any recent complaints but would speak to the landlord.

Speaking on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Cllr Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of the council, said: “The council’s Housing Standards team have received no recent complaints from any resident in the building regarding rubbish, the lift or the condition of the flats.

“We will carry out a site inspection and contact the landlord; and take action if necessary.  

"Residents are encouraged to contact the housing standards team to report any issues, via housingstandards@blackburn.gov.uk.”

Tenants said they had become frustrated over the numerous defects at the property including issues with the Wi-Fi, the front and back doors jamming and pigeon faeces

Earlier a Lambert Smith Hampton Residential spokesperson said ‘arrangements have been made for the lift contractors to attend and carry out a full inspection’.

The spokesperson said: "Tenants are no longer charged for internet and have received a reduction in rent to allow them to arrange their own service provider.

"Tenants were advised to use Wi-Fi routers which do not require any walls to be drilled.

"The issues with pigeons, rats and rubbish have been resolved and regular inspections and cleans are taking place.  Photos were taken on November 4 after the weekly communal cleaning had been done.

"Any tenant concerns should be reported to the property management company and a contractor will be assigned to carry out any necessary works."