A retirement housing provider who left elderly and disabled residents trapped in their homes after failing to repair a broken lift has said sorry to the tenants it let down.
But the apology is not enough for furious residents at Saxon Court sheltered housing complex in North Walsham, who were left without lift access for a week.
Many of the residents – all over the age of 65 – use walkers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and were unable to get down the building’s stairs for seven days while the lift was out of use.
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They said it “caused absolute hell” – with some residents missing doctors’ appointments.
They are demanding that their housing provider Victory Homes, which is part of Flagship Group, offers them compensation in the form of rent rebates.
In a letter sent to residents recently, the housing provider said "Our service to you wasn’t good enough", and "we’ll learn from our mistakes".
It said a fault with the lift lighting, the subsequent wait for a replacement part, and a "breakdown in communication", was the reason for the lift being closed for so long.
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