Raw sewage flooding temporary flats in south Bristol has left young families facing "hell on earth" conditions, with at least two residents detailing the trauma of having to live alongside waste-filled baths and toilets. Imperial Apartments, a converted office block in Hartcliffe owned and managed by Caridon for Bristol City Council since 2020, has a history of problems.
Maisy May Webb, a 27-year-old mother living with her two-year-old daughter at the site, described how raw sewage had invaded her flat multiple times in the past week. Her bath was filled with waste, and her toilets and sinks were blocked, forcing her to wait until Sunday morning for maintenance to arrive after reporting the issue on Saturday evening.
Ms Webb's daughter has epilepsy, autism, and severe asthma, and she was unable to bathe her due to the lack of a functioning bath. The ordeal left the child with skin rashes, while Ms Webb herself struggles with the ongoing problems, including intermittent water supply, cockroach infestations, and mould growth.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous and has a six-month-old baby, also reported raw sewage flooding her flat three times in the last fortnight. She described the experience as "horrendous" due to the potent smell and damage caused to furniture throughout her flat. The distressed mother expressed concerns over rubbish disposal, rats, and anti-social behaviour.
The incidents at Imperial Apartments are not isolated events; last year, housing charities urged Bristol City Council to reconsider placing families in these conditions, citing cramped flats, unresolved maintenance issues, and ongoing anti-social behaviour. Concerns have also been raised about the length of time families remain in temporary accommodation after initially being told their stay would be short-term.
Caridon's spokesperson apologised for the disruption caused to residents, stating that the issue was addressed within their 24-hour service level agreement. However, the ongoing situation has sparked calls for a thorough investigation into the management of Imperial Apartments and the decision to continue housing families there.