EXCLUSIVE: Legionnaires’ outbreak fears at Knaresborough retirement complex

The company running a Knaresborough retirement housing complex says it is investigating complaints of a Legionnaires’ outbreak which has left elderly residents worried for their safety.

The Harrogate Advertiser has been told that three flats at Vale Court, which is located at 42-46 Bond Street, have tested positive for Legionella, with one person being treated for Legionnaires’ disease.

One resident also claimed that those living at the complex were being blamed for the situation and were dismayed at the prospect of potentially having to pay the costs of tackling problems with their apartments’ water supplies.

FirstPort, which manages Vale Court day-to-day, told the Harrogate Advertiser that residents’ safety was its priority and it was working to minimise costs.

“The safety of residents is our foremost priority and investigations remain ongoing to understand the issues affecting the water system at Vale Court,” said a spokesperson for FirstPort.

“The purpose of the investigation is solely to establish the cause of the issues and determine the best way forward and is not intended to apportion blame or responsibility on any resident.

“As part of this process, specialist contractors are required to investigate the water system and produce schematic drawings.

“An initial cost estimate was shared with residents, however we have since obtained an alternative quote at a significantly lower cost. We have instructed the works, which will proceed at the earliest opportunity.

“We are continuing to work with all relevant parties to support residents and resolve the issues as quickly as possible.

“Residents are being kept informed throughout the investigation and are receiving guidance to ensure water supplies continue to be used safely, in line with the latest available information.”

Built in 1996, Vale Court consists of 36 one and two-bedroom flats with resident management staff and a Careline alarm service.

Resident Paul Escott, 81, who has lived in the Harrogate area since 1976, told the Harrogate Advertiser that those living at Vale Court were worried not only about their health, but also about the potential cost of repairs.

“Residents are very worried about how safe their water is,” he said.

“We have three flats that have tested positive for Legionnaires and one resident being treated for Legionnaires' disease.

“When it was discovered, the advice given was for us not to use showers or taps in the bathroom or the hot tap in the kitchen.

“We have been constantly hearing different versions of what’s going on.

“The company who carry out the tests and cleaning, who are experts in Legionella control and water hygiene, can’t tell which pipes got to which tank and subsequently to which flat."

“We have 52 tanks of which 43 are showing that Legionella could develop.

“Our manager has told us that Legionnaires’ outbreak is the fault of the tenants and any costs must come out of the service charge.

"We were told at one point that we needed a schematics drawing of all the plumbing installation costing £1,800 which we, as residents, would have to pay out of our service charge.”

FirstPort is the UK's largest residential property and block management company and manages more than 6,000 developments nationwide.

But its reputation has recently come in for criticism.

Earlier this month, FirstPort was among the businesses featured in Buyer Beware: Retirement Properties, an ITV investigative documentary on leasehold retirement developments which was part of the current affairs series Tonight.

The tanks are inspected annually to reduce risk of issues.

The Harrogate Advertiser has been in communication with leaseholders and the local MP regarding this matter.

In response to enquiries about Vale Court, FirstPort confirmed the following:

• Residents have been issued guidance regarding the water storage tanks at Vale Court.

• As a precaution, residents are advised to regularly flush their taps to help clear any stagnant water and reduce the risk of bacteria build-up.

This guidance has been provided as a general preventative measure and should not be interpreted as attributing responsibility for the recent issues with the water supply, FirstPort said.