Reform politician faces questions over rental property
Caroline Gladwin, who was elected as a councillor recently, is under fire for failing to maintain a flat she rented out.
A Reform councillor is under fire amid claims she failed to properly maintain a property she rented out.
Caroline Gladwin (main picture), who is a member of the Isle of Wight Council’s housing committee, was previously issued with three warning notices for a two-bed flat she owns, the Isle of Wight County Press reports.
She was elected in May in the island’s Central Rural ward, but is now facing criticism from Independent Socialist councillor Geoff Brodie over the issue.
Damaged
Gladwin said a previous tenant damaged the property in Shanklin without her knowledge.
The council warnings related to damp and mould, rotting timbers, exposed wiring and no working lock on the front door.
Unfortunately, this is an example of an overzealous council that made my life a misery.”
Gladwin said she “always kept her properties in good shape” and “acted with integrity”.
“Unfortunately, this is an example of an overzealous council that made my life a misery over matters I was unaware of due to damage being caused by a tenant who was severely mentally ill and was very difficult for me to deal with,” she said.
Distraught
“Shortly after the notices were issued the tenant was rehoused and no tenant ever moved in again as I was too distraught after the treatment given to me by the council’s housing renewal officers.”
At last week’s full council meeting, Gladwin was the subject of a member question directed at Clare Mosdell, Conservative chair of the adult social care, public health and housing needs committee, OntheWight.com reports.
Main picture: Isle of Wight County Press
Such a politician poses a conflict of interest if they also sit on a housing committee and unfortunately claims of disrepair can not be off set by the position this type of landlord often adopts, the age old misused, abused and damaged by the tenant as opposed to fair wear and tear and a lack of care by the landlord.