Worthing residents concerned about ‘mouldy’ house

FRUSTRATED neighbours have raised their concerns about an empty home which they say is becoming an eyesore after its late owner left it to charity.
Pat Stevens, left, and Linda Courtnadge outside the vacant house that they have concerns about ks1500322-2Pat Stevens, left, and Linda Courtnadge outside the vacant house that they have concerns about ks1500322-2
Pat Stevens, left, and Linda Courtnadge outside the vacant house that they have concerns about ks1500322-2

Locals in College Gardens, Worthing, are concerned about the deteriorating condition of one of the houses, which they say is full of mould and in a state of disrepair.

The home has been on the market for about two years but is now becoming an unsightly mess, residents say – something that Worthing Borough Council denies.

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Mrs Pat Stevens, 70, has lived in the street for several years and said since the home was left to charity by its former owner, it has been left to fester.

She said: “It’s horrible. It’s a total mess inside. There’s black mould everywhere because it’s gone damp.

“There have been roof problems that have been fixed.

“We all think that it’s lowering the value of our properties because people say, ‘Oh that house still hasn’t sold’ and ‘There must be something wrong’.

The terrace home is believed to have been owned by Doris Brown, who died almost two years ago.

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In her will, she left the property to charity, in the hope that once it was sold, it was benefit the good causes.

A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said the authority had powers to force a sale but only if the home was causing a nuisance to residents.

He claimed this home was not causing an issue and that it would be ‘neither reasonable nor proportionate’ to take such action.

He said: “Although it has been empty for 18 months the property in College Gardens is not unsightly and is not in a state of serious disrepair.

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“A hole in the roof was repaired and there is no nuisance to neighbouring properties.

“There was an initial delay in offering the house for sale due to probate, but the property is being actively marketed at a reasonable price and there have been multiple viewings and offers.

“The charity that is the beneficiary of the will is, however, only willing to accept the asking price.”

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