I'm furious after housing association 'stole' my pram from my flat hallway – they're demanding £150 or they'll SELL it | The Sun
A MUM has been left furious after claiming the housing association stole her pram from her flat hallway.
Sammy-Jo Kennedy was left having to carry her baby on the school run after realising the pushchair had disappeared.
The mum-of-three said she has left the buggy in the same spot everyday for nine years – but was now being told to pay £150 to get it back or it would be sold.
Managed by Optivo housing providers, the block of flats in Kent has guidelines asking residents not to store anything in the hallways – something Sammy-Jo admits to breaching.
However, the 33-year-old claims she wasn't given any warning before it was confiscated and there is no suitable storage unit for it.
Branding it "disgusting", she said: "I don't know how they can justify taking a little baby's belongings.
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"It's disgusting, I had to carry my youngest during the school run since because I had no pram."
She told KentOnline there has never been an issue before now as she doesn't store it there overnight.
Living on the top floor of the block, which has no lifts, Sammy-Jo leaves the pram at the bottom of the communal stairs for the few hours in between school runs.
However, Optivo said because of safety concerns a notice was fixed to the pram during one of their visits to the homes 17 days prior to it being removed.
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The full-time mum to Vini, 10, Tyler, three, and Tommie, five-months, said the added cost of a new pram wasn't needed so close to Christmas.
After speaking to Optivo and being told about the charge, she opted to spend £50 on one from a charity shop instead.
An Octivo spokesperson said: "While we sympathise with Ms Kennedy, the safety of all our residents must be our number one priority.
"Fire regulations say communal areas must be kept clear of all
obstructions at all times.
"This is so our residents have a clear route for escape in the event of a fire, and for the fire services to have full access to take action.
"Cedar House has regular fire risk assessments and we have previously highlighted to residents that personal belongings should not be left in communal areas.
"After seeing Ms Kennedy’s pushchair in the communal area on Saturday 12 November, our Housing Team served a tort notice.
"This was fixed to the pushchair and notified Ms Kennedy she had 14 days to remove the item.
"When the team returned after 17 days, it was still there and there had been no contact.
"Ms Kennedy can collect the pushchair at any time from our offices at Kent Science Park – there is no charge for this.
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"We understand it must be incredibly difficult for Ms Kennedy to carry the pushchair to her home. That’s why we have invested in storage sheds for items to be kept securely.
"To date, we’ve not received any reports of weather-proofing issues. However, we are happy to investigate and carry out any repair work needed."
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