Ipswich residents flee Yeoman Close properties due to leak

Two separate households in Yeoman Close in Ipswich, have vacated due to a water leak going through three storeys.

The leak has been going for three weeks and despite efforts to warn someone has rendered the properties inhabitable due to the fungus growing, smell, and the electrics having to be turned off.

One of the leaks in the flat (Image: Submitted)

One resident, Anita Switon, has had to move out with her partner, into her boss's house for a few days, while their 14-year-old daughter has had to move into a friend's house while the issue gets fixed.

Miss Switon, 40, said: "It's awful.

"We have contacted William H Brown (rental company) and Anthem (property managers) but no one has said anything to us.

Anita Switon (Image: Submitted)

"It's ridiculous.

"We are separated as a family, my daughter starts GCSEs soon and we can't be there for her.

"Our small family has been destroyed because of this leak.

"Me and my partner are up and down the stairs clearing buckets of water, and we haven't been provided with alternate living accommodation since it all started."

Helen Pearson, who lives in the flat below Miss Switon, only moved in six months ago, with this being her first purchased flat.

She said: "It's been ridiculous.

Helen Pearson with her cat Cooper (Image: Submitted)

"I am so stressed at the moment because of it.

"It's my first home, I was so proud when I got it, managed to get a mortgage and everything and then this happens."

Miss Pearson, 34, is currently staying with her family in Colchester.

Buckets full of water due to the leak (Image: Submitted)

She continued: "We've had the fire brigade round who had to check everything.

"We've got to have a surveyor come before anything can happen too.

"The fire brigade said it was a problem with the guttering, so it's a very easy solution."

A spokesperson for Anthem Management said: "We're sorry for the distress and disruption the leak at Yeoman Close has caused residents.

"Our team had been working with external contractors to safely identify where water had been entering the building, but last weekend's downpour overwhelmed the drainage system.

"We have kept residents informed and are working hard to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible."

William H Brown has been approached for comment.

Leaking in the ceiling (Image: Submitted)