A block of flats in Lanarkshire has been described as “horrendous” as residents are forced to live with rats, pigeon droppings and severe mould.
Images shared by a South Lanarkshire Council candidate from Hamilton show overflowing bins covered in bird poo and walls and ceilings blighted by damp and mould.
Gavin Keatts claims he was delivering leaflets while canvassing on Good Friday when rats scampered across the floor of the Quarry Street building.
Standing for Scottish Labour in the Hamilton South ward, Gavin told Lanarkshire Live he was “appalled” by the state of the living conditions there.
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He said: “Literally every block of flats had broken door access, severe damp and signs of vermin, rat and pigeon infestation.
"In one of the blocks, the damp was overwhelming throughout the whole block.
"Every flat I got into got worse and worse, and then one I got to a rat ran out in front of me where the bins were, and there were pigeons on top of the bins.
"And upstairs there was damp and mould. I looked all the way up the whole building and it was absolutely stinking.
"There were lots of bin bags next to the bins and things like that overflowing. And the pigeons were inside which are obviously causing all the droppings."
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The local candidate understood the properties to be a mix of council and private home - but South Lanarkshire Council said they do not own any property at the location in question.
Gavin said that regardless of who owns the buildings, "it shouldn't be happening."
The would-be councillor has visited several properties in recent weeks, but says he has particular concerns in Quarry Street in Hamilton town centre.
Here, many of the homes are private, however, Gavin feels more support is required for all residents given the current state of their bins, and the buildings causing a "health hazard".
“It was honestly bogging,” he continued. “There were pigeons, rats, droppings, the mould upon the walls.
“I was only putting leaflets through doors but I will go back and speak to the residents about it.
“In Hamilton it's very much a mixed bag of affluent areas and then the polar opposite in other areas.
“In the less affluent areas we have a considerable increase in fly-tipping and it's coming up time and time again.
“There also to seems to be an increase of rats in these areas.
“It's an eyesore, it sets a precedent of if 'folk aren't keeping it tidy then why should we?' and it's a breeding ground for vermin.”
