Cornwall Social Housing Tenants Face Financial Burden Over Flooring Costs

A campaign addressing the issue states that social housing tenants in Cornwall are compelled to rely on food banks due to the requirement of paying for home carpeting upon moving into properties. Keep Cornwall Carpeted, an initiative managed by Transformation Cornwall, reported that this problem is prevalent across 33,000 social housing properties in the area. Sam Williams of Transformation Cornwall explained that carpets and other flooring materials are frequently removed at the conclusion of tenancies, revealing floorboards or concrete. This practice then obliges the subsequent tenant to incur costs ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds for new carpeting. A social housing provider indicated that it previously removed flooring between tenants for hygiene purposes, but now only does so when a significant health risk is present. Mr Williams described the situation as “one of the most surprising things” he encountered in his position. He further noted that individuals unable to afford carpeting face increased heating expenses due to “poorly insulated” concrete floors or floorboards. While only kitchens and bathrooms are legally mandated to have “sufficient floor coverings,” Mr Williams stated that the group advocates for renters in Cornwall to possess equivalent rights to those in other regions of the UK. He mentioned that Wales recently implemented new standards requiring all “liveable rooms” to include carpet or alternative flooring. He commented: “This isn’t a pie in the sky idea. “It’s actually happening in other parts of the UK and we feel that it should be happening in Cornwall.” A man informed the BBC that he expended half of his savings to acquire new carpet upon moving into his initial rented residence. Zach Elphick, 21, recounted that his new flat featured concrete floors covered in “very thick dust” during his viewing. However, as a first-time renter, he “didn’t realise just how much” carpet would cost. He invested over £1,000, half of his accumulated savings, to carpet the property and lived “on rations” for four months while settling the associated debt. Mr Elphick stated: “What bothers me most is the fact that, if I ever did move out of this place, I just know it would be torn out.” He added: “Because I’ve spent all that money on getting it all sorted, I’d like to think the next person can have it.” James Reseigh, representing Live West, one of the 14 social housing providers in the county, explained that the organization had adhered to “standard practice” within the sector by removing carpets and other flooring, primarily “for hygiene reasons,” until the beginning of this year. Nevertheless, he noted that Live West has since modified its approach due to advocacy from Acorn, a community action group based in Penryn. He confirmed that carpets are now only taken out if “an absolute health and safety risk” exists. Approximately 65% of properties are currently provided with carpets, he reported.