Life in one city centre apartment block is just 'a disaster waiting to happen', a former insider has said, amid fears for residents' security.
Tenants in Bracken House, on Charles Street, have been blighted by break-ins and vandalism, as well as not having a working lift for four years. The Manchester Evening News spoke to a man who used to work with the building's maintenance teams as well as an ex-tenant.
Both said that the lift had been out of action for years. They also spoke about a raft of other problems, including hot water not being available to residents.
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“People are saying they will not live there [in viewings] and it’s having an effect on the landlords,” the insider, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen and it is getting closer and closer.”
Bracken House is popular with students because of its location near Manchester University's North Campus. Inspired Property Management (IPM), who oversee the building, say the issue of break-ins has ‘eased’ with a raft of measures being put in place.
But, former tenant Dan - who asked to only be referred to by his first name - who left the block after five years earlier this year, said it has got ‘harder and harder to live in the building’. He added: “Five years ago the lift was working and we had fire marshals that patrolled the building. There was a staff of four people on patrol. In 2018 or 2019 the lift [broke] and has not since.
“I was on the sixth floor — it does not have a fourth floor — so I had to walk. It got harder and harder to live in the building. The hot water does not always work because there are only two boilers.
“The major issue was at the end of last year. They replaced the fire marshals with heat alarms so there was no one managing security and things were stolen and trash was being left downstairs. Homeless people started sleeping in the corridors and the boiler room. I had a storage unit which I rented in the basement that was broken into.”
Dan also reported that access can be gained to the roof due to a broken lock, which IPM says has now been fixed. Photos from the inside of the building also show vandalism to communal areas like post-boxes.
In response to the concerns set out by residents, IPM and freeholder Grey GR Limited Partnership released a statement to the MEN . It said: “When wider industry and regulatory failings around building construction and standards became apparent, Grey took proactive steps to appoint independent surveyors and fire safety experts to assess building safety measures across its portfolio including Bracken House.
“Following those surveys and in consultation with Greater Manchester Fire Service it was determined that a waking watch service was required at Bracken House, as a mitigation measure for the fire risks present. Grey immediately took action to meet the request. Grey has been, and continues to be, committed to carrying out the necessary remedial works and an application to the Government’s Building Safety Fund is underway.
“A mains linked fire alarm system was installed as an alternative mitigation measure and, following installation, the waking watch service was stood down. The waking watch service was never intended to be a security measure and security is not included within the service charge at Bracken House.
“We are working closely with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council regarding the issue of homeless people trying to gain access to the basement area. I am happy to report that the issue has somewhat eased over the last fortnight after a short period of trouble. The basement area has been secured and we have a new basement door on order following criminal damage. The police have added this building to a list of other buildings that PCSOs patrol now they are aware of the issue.
“The Anti-Social Behaviour Action Team from Manchester City Council are also attending the building to assist with resolving this issue. The Anti-Social Behaviour Support Officer I work with has advised that homelessness is a particular issue in Manchester City Centre at the moment.
“You are quite right in stating that recently the foyer area was vandalised. In response to this we changed the entry codes to the building, and we wrote to all leaseholders informing them of the action we were taking. We also had a contractor attend to complete redecoration works to the foyer area of the building.
“We have a cleaner who attends Bracken House on a weekly basis and if any rubbish in the communal areas is noted the cleaner removes it and disposes of it. We try to educate the residents regarding this issue as any rubbish left in the communal areas poses a potential fire risk and a trip hazard.
“We don’t currently have any secure place for parcels to be left at Bracken House so we would urge all residents to request parcels are not left in the foyer entrance area as this area is visible from the pavement. The Bracken House lift is out of service due to not being fit for purpose; this is a design/installation issue from when the building was converted. This matter is being reviewed by the appointed independent surveyors and fire safety experts.
“We have a service contract in place for the maintenance of the boilers at Bracken House and we respond quickly to any reports of a lack of hot water. Our contact details are prominently displayed in the foyer and all leaseholders are provided with a welcome pack when they purchase a leasehold property within a block we manage. This pack contains details relating to how to report a maintenance issue. We offer a twenty-four-hour service so leaseholders can report maintenance issues to us at any time.
“I also noted the issue of the rooftop area door lock failing on a recent inspection, this door now has a new lock installed and the keys are retained by the us at Inspired Property Management.”
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