The threat of eviction looms over a retiree who has blown the whistle over uncompleted repairs at the block of flats he lives at in Reading.

Trevor Nixon, 73, lives in the Luscinia View apartments run by the Southern Housing Association which manages the affordable flats.

He has complained about a series of repairs which he says have not been acted upon.

These include water damage to communal lino flooring, a poorly fitted electric socket ‘melting’ his radiator, and other problems with electrical sockets.

Mr Nixon is currently withholding £1,470 in rent, and has been threatened with eviction.

He said: “I’m in a bit of a state now.

“They’re harassing me, they ring twice a week every week.

“The money is safe, but I can’t pay it, I don’t know how to pay it online.

“I’m getting called by the accounts department. Recently I said ‘look mate, the money is safe, the housing officer is going to sort it, can you pack it in?’.

“My skin is cracking because of the stress.”

The rent is being held by Mr Nixon in money supplied through housing benefit.

He is willing to pay once repairs are conducted and the threat of eviction is lifted.

Southern Housing was asked whether it would commit to fixing the issues at Mr Nixon’s flat and no longer put him at risk of homelessness.

A spokesperson for Southern Housing said: “We’re continuing to support Mr Nixon with the repair issues he’s raised. However, there have been several occasions where Mr Nixon has cancelled agreed appointments with our contractor.

“It’s vital Mr Nixon gives us access to his home to investigate and complete any repairs.

“The only outstanding repairs we’re aware of relate to a window seal and a shaving mirror bulb.

“Our contractor will be making further contact with Mr Nixon to arrange the completion of these repairs.

“The hallway flooring in his own flat is Mr Nixon’s responsibility, so our contractor has not been asked to replace this.

“There is no known issue with communal flooring.

“We’ve repaired the electrical socket to the living room and have reminded Mr Nixon that the sockets shouldn’t be overloaded.

“Mr Nixon must continue to pay his rent as a condition of his tenancy agreement with us and failure to do so would put him at risk of eviction.

“The independent advice from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau is that withholding rent is not recommended.

“Our staff remain committed to doing all they can to help Mr Nixon.”

In a recent conversation, Mr Nixon said repairs have been undertaken but two remain outstanding, relating to his flat intercom and a broken window seal in his bedroom.

He has previously complained about leaking boiler pipes flooding his apartment back in the summer of 2019, an incident which was investigated by the Housing Ombudsman.

The leaks damaged his mattress and carpet, leading Mr Nixon to claim compensation.

Ultimately, the ombudsman ruled that Southern Housing Group was service failure and maladministration, with the housing association being ordered to pay Mr Nixon £700 – £450 for insurance excess he paid for the damage to his belongings, and £250 to compensate the distress caused to him.

Referring to that case, the Southern Housing Group spokesperson said: “There was historically a Housing Ombudsman case about this property regarding a boiler leak which was resolved at the time.

“This case was closed by the Ombudsman in December 2020.”