A HOUSING agency has been slammed for dumping rubbish outside a property it owns.

Household waste, clothes and wooden doors have been left outside a home on Whalley New Road, Blackburn for the past seven days.

Neighbours say they have spotted rats there and, describing it as a health hazard, have called on the owner, Harris Properties Management Ltd, to remove it.

Agie Ferguson, who has lived next door to the house with her husband, Danny, for the past 20 years, said: “It feels like I’m living next door to a tip.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The property is believed to have been empty since January 10 after the tenants left, handing their keys to Harris Properties Management.

Barbar Salwen, the manager of the Blackburn agency, said the tenants left some of their possessions.

Bosses sent a cleaner to remove the contents and leave the items outside the house in preparation for waste collection.

Neighbours said they were told it would be removed at the weekend but there was still no sign of that yesterday with the pile of waste remaining outside the property.

Mr Ferguson, 55, said: “The rubbish has been out there for a week, including food waste and household furniture. There’s a rat problem too.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Mrs Ferguson, 56, added: “I think it’s disgusting. They could at least try to board it up. It feels like I’m living next door to a tip.”

Mr Salwen said plans were in place to remove the rubbish as soon as possible. The 49-year-old said: “We understand the concern of residents and do not want to create a hazard for anyone.

“The removal van came on Wednesday but there was no access because he was not able to park on the main road.”

The manager said it was hoped the rubbish would be cleared by today.