The family of a north-east teenager who was handed the keys to a blood-stained “hovel” have criticised the local authority.
Natasha Hay, 19, was assigned a one-bedroom flat in Peterhead’s Duncan Crescent by Aberdeenshire Council last month.
But when they opened the front door for the first time, Miss Hay and her grandparents were horrified to find blood on the walls and underwear stuffed behind radiators.
“Me and granny started to take the wallpaper off and the walls just fell apart,” college student Miss Hay said.
“There was blood on the wallpaper and dirty women’s knickers behind the radiators. The whole place was stinking.”
Miss Hay moved into the flat on August 25, and feared that if she did not accept the property she would be taken off the council’s waiting list.
Five weeks later no major repairs have been started and grandmother Frances Cassie – who has repeatedly demanded action from the local authority – said she feared it could be November by the time the flat is inhabitable.
Mrs Cassie said: “She’s basically living out of the microwave. She can’t use a cooker, the heat goes straight out of the holes in the wall and she’s having to sleep in pyjamas, a onsie and a dressing gown to keep warm.
“We pay council tax – for what? This girl was born in this town, and they’ve left her living in a hovel.”
Mrs Cassie said that she was told by Aberdeenshire Council officers that the delay in the works was due to a shortage of plasterers.
Last night a spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “The property was decorated when it was let, and accepted by the tenant in that condition.
“We acknowledged that the decoration required upgrading and as such a full decoration grant was awarded. Repair work was ordered following damage to the walls and this was given a priority order.”
When Miss Hay posted photos of the property on social media, dozens of local people spoke out and called for action from the local authority.
It is understood council workers will begin repair work on Monday.