A Glasgow woman was 'left in tears' after discovering her new rented flat was riddled with mould and a cockroach infestation.
Jess Banks was excited to move into the property on Castlemilk Road in Rutherglen on June 30 but immediately became aware that something was very wrong.
The 30-year-old spent six hours cleaning the property in a bid to make it more comfortable for her and four-year-old toy poodle Cooper.
But she was forced to move out just three days later and has been sofa-surfing ever since, Glasgow Live reports.
Jess, who had paid AVJ homes £1750 for one month’s rent and deposit, said: “As soon as I got inside the property, I saw cockroaches all in the kitchen with mould all around the windows. The windows were cracked so water was getting in and contributing to the mould.
"The property was in disrepair - the fixtures and fittings were all broken, the bath is cracked, the shower heads were caked in mould and broken, both toilet seats were broken, the kitchen cupboards were hanging off the hinges, the pipe to the washing machine cannot be turned on as it leaks, the kitchen sink leaks, and the carpets were covered in stains.
"I was so excited because it was the first time I had keys to a flat of my own. I literally burst into tears. I was so upset and didn't want to stay there but felt like I had no choice but to try and attempt to make it clean and homely."
Jess has been without a home since Monday, July 3. She added: "I don't have anywhere to stay so I am sleeping on a friend's sofa. It's so stressful and I had to take a day off work with unpaid leave.
"The tenancy agreement said it had to be a safe and habitable environment with all the walls and windows sealed, which they weren't. It said it had to be clean and liveable but it wasn't.
"I can't get another property until they give me my money back because I need it to put a deposit on a new place. I don't want this to happen to anyone else."
After Glasgow Live got in touch with the lettings agency, Jess was contacted to say the landlord has agreed to pay her rent and deposit back - and she handed her keys in on Thursday, July 6.
AVJ Homes were approached for comment and said they were carrying out a full investigation into the issue.
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