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‘This house is going to put my mum in hospital’: Aberdeen woman at breaking point after human waste pours through council house ceiling

Anne Paton's daughter shows where the ceiling collapsed in the bathroom after being flooded with sewage. Picture by Kenny Elrick.
Anne Paton's daughter shows where the ceiling collapsed in the bathroom after being flooded with sewage. Picture by Kenny Elrick.

After 20 years of issues, an Aberdeen resident has reached breaking point after human waste caused her bathroom ceiling to cave in.

Anne Paton has been trying to move from her council home for three years after health problems have left her unable to maintain the property.

Ever since she moved into the four-in-a-block on Cummings Drive, the flat has had multiple issues with flooding, damp and mould.

In 2007, Ms Paton even found heaps of rotting rubbish under her floorboards from a previous tenant including a couple of bikes and broken TV.

While Aberdeen City Council has tried to patch up the problems over the years, Ms Paton’s family say it is not enough and her health is suffering as a result.

The authority says a full repair is being scheduled but stressed hygiene issues with the ceiling were not visible at an initial visit.

‘Flat has flooded at least 20 times’

Ms Paton is a mother of four and has suffered various illnesses and panic attacks.

Her daughter Kara Paton said the living situation was only adding to her stress: “Since the day she moved in she’s pretty much had issues.

“Upstairs has flooded her at least 20 times and that’s the living room, the kitchen and the bathroom as well and the bedrooms.

Kara Anne Paton with the bathroom damage. Picture by Kenny Elrick, DC Thomson

“At one point the living room actually caved in, the bathroom has now obviously done the same.”

The 32-year-old said the council had removed bits and patched things up over the years but not fully replaced with new materials.

But on May 8, the situation got worse.

Urine and excrement started coming in through Ms Paton’s bathroom ceiling from her neighbour’s flat. The sewage was pouring into the bathroom over a live light fitting and covering the room.

After several calls, the council sent someone to clean the room due to it being a biohazard but ended up “just mopping the floor”.

Anne Paton in front of her home after finding heaps of rotting rubbish under her floorboards in 2007 from a previous tenant. Picture by Rory Raitt, DC Thomson

Kara Paton said: “There was still urine over the cistern and stuff and he just came in with a mop.”

An electrician also had to be sent due to their being a live socket on the ceiling but it would not be inspected until it was dried out.

When Ms Paton went to open the bathroom door, the ceiling above the toilet collapsed.

‘The smell of urine hit you like a ton of bricks’

Ms Paton’s daughter-in-law said the wooden joists are rotten. Picture by Kenny Elrick, DC Thomson.

Aberdeen City Council sent someone round to secure the roof on May 11 until the room could be inspected. 

Ms Paton’s daughter-in-law, Tanya Paton, said it was not good enough.

She said: “Honestly you opened that door and the smell of urine hit you like a ton of bricks. It was horrible.

“The bathroom roof, you can actually see the joists and are black and rotten and are probably going to cave in soon. It’s getting ridiculous.”

The massive hole above the toilet has debris falling through it meaning Ms Paton is unable to use the toilet.

Tanya said the 52-year-old ex-cancer patient has a stoma and needs a hygienic room to be able to change her bag. Due to the recent incident, she does not feel she can do this.

‘They’re going to put my mum in hospital’

Her mobility issues mean it is not easy to visit neighbours, so the recent incident has left Ms Paton without access to a working bathroom.

Her daughter Kara said it was affecting her mum’s mental health, adding: “I came down today and found my mum sitting in tears really upset. She’s not washed for a few days, it’s just not acceptable.

“They’re going to put my mum in a hospital. She’s going to end up in hospital if she continues living in this house.”

The damp and mould in the property is adding to Ms Paton’s worries and health problems and has stolen many of her precious memories and belongings.

Due to the damp, the grandmother of six has lost irreplaceable photos of her parents and of her children when they were babies.

Ms Paton has lost photos of her mum and dad and baby photos of her children because of the damp. Picture by Kenny Elrick.

Kara added: “It’s getting to the stage now where my mum’s having to throw out all of her belongings.

“Everything is bagged up and boxed waiting to go in the bin because everything is damp and mouldy. She’s losing everything she’s ever owned.”

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “At the time of a visit by building services the hygiene problems reported about the ceiling were not in evidence.

“As a precaution, an external contractor was asked to carry out a deep clean. A leak from the property above has, however, caused damage to the roof.

“Our team have made the bathroom safe and will arrange for full repair. The tenant has been advised how to raise any other concerns about her property directly with the council.”

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