Homeless Man Stranded for Three Weeks After Building Lift Cuts Off

A Disabled Man's Struggle with a Faulty Lift

Cameron Dadkhah, a 30-year-old man with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, has been fighting for compensation after a lift in his building broke down, leaving him unable to access his home for nearly a month. The incident highlights the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when essential services fail.

The lift at Locksbridge House on Divot Way malfunctioned in February, and it was turned off again in August due to a faulty alarm. Cameron remained unable to access his flat for three weeks during this period. Despite paying a service charge to Remus Management for maintenance, the issue wasn’t resolved until September 4. This lack of timely action has left Cameron feeling abandoned and frustrated.

“I am in a wheelchair and have been rendered homeless,” Cameron said. “There is no compassion, never a call back.”

He acknowledged that lifts can break, but he emphasized that the frequency of the issues was concerning. “Lifts break, it’s a part of life, and I was under no false fantasy that guaranteed lift working every minute of every day. When it happened the first time, I said look, these things happen, but in seven months, it's happened twice, and we are paying an extensive service charge, which should cover lift maintenance.”

During the first breakdown in February, Cameron had to stay in a hotel, which cost more than his £1,700 yearly service charge. When the lift broke again in August, he was forced to couch surf at friends’ and family’s homes and live out of a bag. On one occasion, he was upstairs when the lift was turned off without notice, forcing him to call his father, who traveled from another city, to carry him and his wheelchair down the stairs.

“After February, they should be well aware that someone in a wheelchair is dependent on the lift,” Cameron said. “I just wanted the quick and basic common courtesy of being told I can get out. The professional apathy and lack of care is what is most frustrating.”

Cameron attempted to follow up with Remus Management regarding the progress and potential compensation, but he found the process unsatisfactory. “If you pay for a service and it isn’t delivered, then a refund should be offered. If it breaks, it should be fixed quickly. What if you had a pram, an elderly person, or someone with mobility concerns? I can’t be the only one that uses the lift.”

Although the lift has been restored, the alarm remains unfixed, and a warning sign now hangs in front of it. The sign alerts residents that there is no emergency alarm or phone service, effectively placing them at risk. “There is no emergency alarm and no phone service. There is no way of communicating with the emergency services. It’s get in the lift at your own risk.”

Due to the ongoing issues and the lack of respect for basic human dignity, Cameron has decided to sell his flat. “Even if it does get fixed, it still leaves the issue of, ultimately, a management company switching the lift off when there is a disabled resident. At the end of the day, they are failing disabled residents if you have someone who can’t access it.”

Cameron’s experience underscores the urgent need for better communication and accountability from property management companies. His story serves as a reminder that accessibility and safety must be prioritized, especially for vulnerable residents.