tenants launch a petition to address unsanitary problems in their residence

This text corresponds to part of the transcription of the interview above. Click on the video to watch it in full.

In this building, repeated heating failures. So this evening, Sandrine will not be able to bring her family together for Christmas in her apartment which is too cold. “I’m a little ashamed to welcome them in these conditions. So we said we’re going to go outside. That way, at least, we don’t have this worry“, she laments.

To heat herself, she had to find a solution: her dryer which, once opened, radiates a little heat. A solution which generates an additional cost of 200 euros for the winter, for a rent of 700 euros monthly. Without heating, humidity developed in his home.

Here in his bedroom, mold caused him respiratory problems. “You can see that I tried to clean. As long as this is not resolved, asthmatic bronchial tubes will always be there“, she says.

Unsanitary problems frequently reported by residents. Outside, trash cans piled up and rats circulate regularly. So, the exasperated residents launched a petition signed by more than 300 tenants out of the 400 in the residence.

In this other building, no elevator for a month. François has to climb six floors while suffering from heart and respiratory problems. On the same floor, Chantal, 83 years old. Going up and down the stairs becomes too painful, so she now has to rely on her neighbors. “I don’t go out. I used to go out to do my shopping, but now I’m here. Last week I came to the bottom of the stairs with a shopping cart and cried because I couldn’t get up“, she says.

For his part, the lessor explains that 25 million euros were invested to rehabilitate the residence and regrets these situations. “It also depends a lot on how people appropriate and use their housing. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem, but it does mean we have to look at how things are going.“, he explains.

A meeting must take place at the beginning of January with the landlord and residents.