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A resident is demanding compensation from a council for damage caused to the Mansfield house where he cares for his 92-year-old mother.

Seth Clay, aged 70, says the damage has rendered the front room of the Noel Street house “out of bounds”, because the joists and floorboards have rotted away and the front wall is smothered in damp.

Seth claims the problems built up over several years after work carried out by Nottinghamshire Council on the pavement outside the property.

“The council covered the original flagstones with tarmac,” he said. “But this raised the ground level to halfway up the airbricks, thus allowing water to enter the house, rather than drain away.

Lilian Clay, pictured 12 years ago, who owns the damaged property on Noel Street, Mansfield.

“We’ve now got to replace the floorboards and plasterwork and probably lay a new carpet.

“The council is responsible for the damage. It wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t repaired the pavement in such a poor way. To save money, they did it on the cheap.”

The house belonged to Seth’s mum, Lilian, and 96-year-old father, Alan. The problem only came to light earlier this year after Alan fell ill.

“To facilitate his care, he was going to be provided with a hospital bed at home,” Seth said. “So we had to remove all the furniture in the front room, and that’s when we found the rotted floorboards and damp. There had been an ingress of water over many years.

Noel Street in Mansfield, where the damaged house is located. Seth Clay is the carer there for his 92-year-old mother, Lilian.

“Sadly, my father died in February. My mother and I are still living there, but the room is out of bounds. It is not safe to use.

“I have approached the county council to seek reparations for the damage. We are not talking pennies. The work could cost about £5,000.”

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Seth raised the matter with Coun Paul Henshaw, Labour member for Mansfield West on the county council, who went to inspect the damage and had a meeting with the authority’s highways manager.

“I will keep chasing it up and keep pushing for Seth to get a satisfactory resolution,” said Coun Henshaw.

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of reports of damage to Mr Clay’s home and we are investigating the issue.

"An inspector will be visiting the site to establish whether any remedial works are required. We will keep the resident updated about any action that may be taken.”

Mansfield resident demands compensation from council for water damage to home