The tenants of a building located at rue de la Frontière in Quiévrain have been going through hell for several years. After having faced dry rot and numerous humidity problems, they are now faced with floor fleas that are constantly invading their apartment. Despite several attempts, their owner still responds to absent subscribers, leaving his tenants in a bind. Dangerous for the health of the inhabitants, parquet fleas force them to leave the premises without really knowing where to go. An untenable situation for them, which they decided to share through a testimony.
“For several days, I have been invaded by floor fleas“, confides Ophélie Charles, tenant. “I have contacted the owner many times who never answers me. I therefore leaned towards the municipality which gives the owner a period of 15 days to respond to the registered letter sent and 15 additional days to have a response from the Walloon Region. The problem is that it is impossible for me to live in my apartment at present. I risk Lyme disease if I get bitten by one of the fleas. So I have an urgent need for rehousing. I can’t afford to wait the 30-day period required for the various procedures.“
To help them, a police commissioner came to make a report on the situation which he transmitted to the commune of Quiévrain. While waiting for more news, Ophelia tries to manage so as not to have to live in her apartment. “I sometimes sleep at a friend’s house or at my mom’s. I also had to give my dog to my mum for fear that he would be bitten by a flea. I’m trying to manage for now but for how long? I urgently need to find a solution“, continues Ophelia.
This tenant is not the only one to complain regarding living conditions in the building. Others have also taken legal action once morest the owner. “Work had to be done in my apartment, which had become unsanitary“, testifies Fabian. “Instead of carrying out the work, the owner rented the apartment to someone else. I was kicked out early in the morning by four people who came to take me out. They also came to remove my front door. Major moisture problems also occur in the building. When the upstairs neighbor takes a shower, the water runs down the hall and into the apartments. The situation is unbearable.“
A situation also suffered by David who decided to return his apartment two years ago. Since then, he has taken legal action once morest the owner, which remains on stand-by for the time being. David has still not received his bail which he has been waiting for for many years now. His mom is also part of the building. He therefore fears for his health with the recent appearance of floor fleas.
Meanwhile, the owner, a businessman, is wanted by the local police. “He brags regarding his business with the Bateaux Mouches that he does in Paris. So he doesn’t care regarding us. He only takes care of his Lamborghinis“, conclude the tenants.
After hearing the testimony of his tenants, the owner told them he wanted to take the problem in hand. It remains to be seen whether these are just fine words or a sincere desire to act… Time will tell.