Disabled Edinburgh pensioner's pigeon poo anger at landlord Places for People after nine months of hell
A disabled Edinburgh pensioner has hit out at her landlord Places for People, after pigeons defecating on her balcony caused her “nine months of hell”.
Evelyn Frazer, 76, has had the pigeon problem at her home in Gilmerton since March. She told the Evening News that despite repeated calls for help, nobody from Places for People has been out to deal with the issue at Fortune Place, with her balcony now a no-go area.
The Edinburgh pensioner has tried to resolve the issue herself to no affect, and she believes the situation is affecting her health.
She said: “I’ve had nine months of pigeons defecating on my property. Not one housing officer from Places for People has been to see it. I have sent photos to them and local MP Ian Murray.
“Mr Murray sent over two men, who said my balcony needs netting, that was three weeks ago. Places for People said they can’t afford to do that.
“I have put up my own netting and tried absolutely everything. I am disabled and had two chest infections recently.
“The mess out there is shocking. And the pigeons wake us up in the night with their noises. Apparently there are thousands of pigeons here now.
“Not one person from Places for People has come out and I think I have been ill because of the pigeons. I have Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, but it has worsened. I’m just wondering if anything can be done. Nine months is a long time, it’s been hell.”
Evelyn can’t even go out on her balcony anymore, and received little sympathy when she told her landlord she would take her story to the press.
She said: “It was a great summer but I couldn’t go outside and enjoy it. I can’t go out there at all. I have been here for 10 years, but the pigeons suddenly appeared nine months ago.
“We have got a housing officer who is never here. And we don’t have tenants’ meetings, so we are basically on our own.
“I bought spikes and netting but it’s not stopping the pigeons getting onto my balcony.
“The neighbours have had the same problem as well. But Places for People have done absolutely nothing. I said I would speak to the papers and they said ‘do what you want, you need to pay your bills’.
“A friend helped me clean-up, putting her own health at risk as well, but she can’t do it now. I don’t know what to do now.”
A Places for People spokesperson said: “We are currently exploring preventative measures to resolve this issue and, while usually this is the responsibility of the resident, we remain committed to supporting them to find a long-term solution.
“Whilst we explore options, we have communicated with all customers of the measures and deterrents they can take to try and discourage any activity.”