Norwich council compensation battle over Union Street home

City council contractors broke a pipe connected to the hot water tank in Neil Modlin's loft in January and flooded his Union Street home.

Mr Modlin's home was flooded after council contractors broke a pipe connected to the hot water tank in January (Image: Neil Modlin)

After damage was caused to his living room, kitchen, sofa and chair, Mr Modlin put in a compensation claim for £1,800 so he could start to put his life back together.

However, a year on and the 53-year-old is no closer to receiving any money back.

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Mr Modlin, who has lived in his home on the outskirts of the city centre for eight years, said: "It's been a year since the flood and nothing has happened.

Mr Modlin has put in a claim for £1,800 to the city council for the damage done to his home (Image: Neil Modlin)

"I filled out the compensation claim in June, so the council have had six months from then and I've got nowhere with them.

"Every time I phone up I get told it's with the assessor in his 'to-do' box.

"I'm getting fed up now because I'm having to spend Christmas in a smelly house - the water which leaked through has seeped into the carpet and sofa - it's disgusting.

Karen Davis, leader for Independent Norwich Group and city councillor for Town Close Ward (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

"I just want the council to come out and sort it now - I've had to put my whole life on hold while trying to sort this."

This newspaper contacted Norwich City Council for comment.

Mr Modlin says he's getting fed up with having to constantly chase the city council (Image: Neil Modlin)

Town Close city councillor Karen Davis, leader of the Independent group at City Hall, has been helping Mr Modlin chase the claim.

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She said: "He can't replace the items which were damaged until the compensation comes through - it's been awful for him.

In the flood Mr Modlin says his kitchen floor, living room floor, sofa and chair were damaged (Image: Neil Modlin)

"It's not fair on him at all, it's coming up to Christmas and it's not his fault the damage happened, so he should get the compensation he's entitled to.

"I don't understand why this hasn't been resolved yet and the longer it goes on the more Mr Modlin is having to pay the price for it."

The flooding incident at Mr Modlin's home happened in January (Image: Neil Modlin)