Leeds mum ‘horrified’ as worker ‘urinates in kitchen cupboard’

The mum-of-one has spoken about the awful ‘stench’

Inside Tara’s kitchen cupboard where she claims a Mears worker urinated(Image: Tara Temple)

A “horrified” Leeds mum says a worker tasked with replacing her kitchen urinated in her cupboard and left behind an awful “stench”.

Mum-of-one Tara Temple, 34, who lives in Belle Isle, contacted the Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) about ongoing damp and mould issues in her home in November. BITMO is in charge of managing the property.

The Leeds City Council tenant says a survey found high humidity levels and identified possible chimney leaks, faulty pointing and the need for loft improvements. She says it also found she would need her kitchen replacing, insulation corrections and a full electrical rewire.

Work on the kitchen was carried out by housing and social care provider the Mears Group. Leeds City Council say the staff member denies urinating in the cupboard. The Mears Group has said it’s assisting an investigation into the matter with the council and BITMO.

Inside Tara’s kitchen cupboard where she claims a Mears worker urinated(Image: Tara Temple)

As the work on the kitchen progressed, she noticed poor workmanship, claiming the cupboard doors were not level. She wasn’t happy with the work in the kitchen and called up the council to complain.

Tara says the day after making her complaint, on Friday, December 19, she noticed a clear difference in how the Mears kitchen fitter was acting towards her, claiming he seemed less friendly.

Later that day, she returned home to find urine all over the kitchen cupboard. Tara said: “The kitchen had its final fix on Friday, and when I went in to clean, I discovered that the workmen had urinated in my kitchen cupboard under the stairs, all up the wall, over my lawnmower and tool bag, making the kitchen stench.

“I was horrified and have photos of everything, including pools of urine. I rang the council and my mother messaged but nobody has returned our complaints. It is absolutely disgusting for a human being to urinate inside my property, and this has tipped me over the edge.”

To make matters worse, she claims the damp and mould issues have yet to be solved. Tara says she was left without a sink or cooking facilities for two weeks and had to leave the property over Christmas due to delays.

Tara said: “When it rains, water is still leaking onto the inside walls. I was left with no sink and no cooking facilities for two weeks. The work has not been finished within the expected timeframe, and we are now visiting family for Christmas.

Inside Tara’s kitchen cupboard where she claims a Mears worker urinated(Image: Tara Temple)

“The asbestos team are returning in January to seal my living room and rip the ceiling down, but they expect me and my daughter to stay in the house and live there, even though it is not safe.”

A Mears Group spokesperson said: “We are assisting the Council and TMO in investigating this concerning complaint and will act accordingly.”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “This property is managed by a third party, however we have discussed this complaint with them and, having investigated further, staff have assured them these allegations are unsubstantiated.