A DISABLED tenant of as housing association has criticised it arranging staff visits to properties without adequate warning.

Former market stallholder Stephen Allen, 64, had become fed up with text messages and letters telling him to be at his sheltered bungalow in Burrell Avenue, Colne, the following day.

His patience finally snapped on Monday evening when landlord Together Housing texted to say workmen would be visiting on Tuesday for a gas check.

Afterwards, he went to the organisation’s Colne office to complain, only to be told there was no manager available and then threatened with removal by security staff when he said he would stay until one was.

He rang the Lancashire Telegraph which resulted in a manager appearing to say he would look into the matter.

Now Together Housing’s director of communications Ian Clark has apologised, promising action to tackle the problem.

Mr Allen, who has heart and lung problems, said: “They have been doing this for years just sending texts or letters telling you to be at home all the following day for people to call.

“I even got a letter a few months ago which came the week after staff came round for a structural survey.

“I have complained about this on the phone. They say they’ll look into it and go on doing it.

“It causes real difficulty for people in full-time work or people like me who have medical appointments to attend.

“I thought the text on Bank Holiday Monday evening was a bit much, so I went to their office to see a manager. I was annoyed when they threatened to get security to remove me so I rang the Lancashire Telegraph when a customer services manager suddenly became available.

“They need to do something about this. It’s just not on to tell tenants someone is coming without adequate notice. I’ve spoke to lots of other tenants who are annoyed about this.”

Mr Clark said: “We always try to give as much notice as possible of planned works.

“Unfortunately, on this occasion we’ve fallen short of the mark and we’d like to thank Mr Allen for bringing this to our attention.

"Due to a clerical error, a letter that should have been sent to Mr Allen was not sent, so we understand his concern when he received the text messages we always send the day before and immediately in advance of the appointment.

“One of our repairs staff has already been in touch with Mr Allen to apologise. We are taking measures to avoid similar confusion in the future.”