Tenant Faces Cancer Battle Away from Home

Exclusive: Josh Morris is still paying the mortgage and service charge for a flat he can’t live in.

Josh Morris, 49, was forced to evacuate from his home at Skyline Chambers, Manchester, after significant safety defects were uncovered just over a year ago. He is currently residing in a temporary flat a mere 50 meters away from his original residence, which has not yet been made safe despite the passage of time.

Amidst this distressing upheaval, Mr. Morris recently received a diagnosis of skin cancer, intensifying the emotional weight of his situation. He expressed his feelings candidly:

“The saddest bit for me is that I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer in the past few weeks… Luckily it’s not spread and it’s curable: that’s the good news. Bad news is chemo, radiotherapy, operation, which is not a nice place to be. It makes the situation extra prevalent for me because this is when I want to be in my own space, with my possessions, in my own bed.”

More than 100 flats were evacuated from Skyline Chambers in October 2023 as safety inspections conducted in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire revealed alarming issues such as flammable insulation and timber on the external walls. Josh became a homeowner in 2013 and took great pride in his flat, only to now regard it as an unresolved burden.

Reflecting on his present circumstances, Mr. Morris lamented his financial obligations:

“I’ve got this lovely flat, an investment, that is 50 meters away and is a thorn in my side. I’m still paying my mortgage and my service charge. In the past year, I’ve paid over £10,000 for an apartment that I can’t legally reside in.”

Mr. Morris is among 15 residents from Skyline Chambers temporarily housed in nearby accommodations. The authorities have set an ambitious deadline for the completion of safety remediation work by April 2026, but given the lack of commenced construction, he is skeptical about the timeline.

He articulated frustration about the continuing burden of financial payments:

“There are a number of things wrong with this situation. I’m still paying my mortgage. I’m still paying exorbitant management fees.”

Yet, the plight of Josh Morris is not an isolated case; it highlights the broader building safety crisis affecting residents across the UK. A spokesperson for Wallace Estates Ltd, the building’s freeholder, confirmed they are committed to remediation efforts. However, they also acknowledged delays occurring due to funding and planning obstacles.

“The message is clear: get buildings fixed, or we will not hesitate to take enforcement action.”

The saga of residents ensnared in this and similar safety crises raises significant concerns about housing standards in the UK. As affected individuals like Mr. Morris grapple with dual challenges of health and housing insecurity, the urgent need for reform in building safety and tenant rights becomes glaringly apparent.

In the wake of tragedies like Grenfell, proactive measures must be taken, ensuring residents are not left vulnerable and powerless against safety defects and unresponsive management. The situation faced by Mr. Morris is a poignant reminder of the human element underlying the housing crisis — that behind every statistic is a story deserving of attention and action.

Read more: The residents still caught in the cladding crisis after Grenfell