Luxury Tring retirement home defects '˜putting pensioners at risk'

Rothschild Place, in Tring High Street, is a cluster of retirement homes on the old Rose and Crown Hotel site where residents pay a £2,500 service charge each year.

But tenants, who live in the 30 homes, say defects such as exposed power cables and broken stair rods are putting them at risk.

Beechcroft, the developer which built the homes in 2014, says it is aware of the ‘minor issues’.

“I came here to retire and live a quiet life so I did expect the developers to do their job,” said a former banker, 70, who chose not to be named.

“It has caused a lot of stress because the one thing Beechcroft says it does is look after old people – and they’re not.

“The defects include several which have health and safety implications that could result in death or serious injury to residents and members of the public.”

The resident, who has lived at Rothschild Place for two years with his wife, says two live power cables either side of the entrance arch are dangerous, stair rods need repairing, and there is ‘severe dampness’ in the estate manager’s office.

He said: “The building quality hasn’t been as good as you would expect.

“No one should have to work in a wet office and residents shouldn’t have to use stairs which are falling apart.

“They (the developers) need to come back and complete the work.”

It is also claimed that the large entrance gates cannot be closed which residents say compromises security – especially during public events in Church Square.

They say there is no smoke detector in the courtyard dustbin store, and bushes growing below ground level are could soon damage building foundations if they are not trimmed back.

Residents are meeting Tony Ojedele, building control officer of Dacorum Borough Council, on Thursday to discuss the defects.

A spokesman for Beechcroft said: “We are aware that a leasehold tenant at Rothschild Place has raised a small number of minor issues affecting the common parts.

“We will be responding to the individual concerned and will pick up any outstanding snagging, if required by the relevant technical standards.”