HOUSING association bosses are standing by their decision to let out a 'crumbling' house to a bereaved Greenock dad-of-four.

Tenant Colin Stewart says his new property in Cambridge Road is riddled with dampness.

The 44-year-old, who is recovering from a brain haemorrhage, hoped the new house would be a chance for his family to rebuild their lives following the death of his partner two years ago.

He says the Larkfield Housing Association property is uninhabitable.

But housing bosses insist that is not the case and say it only needs new plasterwork.

Area manager Lynne Griffin said: "We would not agree that this house is uninhabitable and Mr Stewart signed and agreed that the house was in tenantable condition.

"The property meets our re-let standard for properties before it was allocated.

"In relation to any concerns that Mr Stewart may have of dry rot and signs of water ingress affecting the property at the chimney breast, our inspector found no evidence of this at his initial inspection.

"However, given Mr Stewart's ongoing concerns we have contacted him today to arrange for a further inspection to be carried out."

The housing association say Mr Stewart contacted their office to request a repairs inspection after he received the keys just before Christmas.

Due to the office being closed for Christmas an appointment was made on January 4.

Ms Griffin said: "Following this repairs inspection, it was identified that work needed to be done to the plaster on the walls.

"Mr Stewart was advised that we would require quotes for this to meet our procurement procedures.

"This was following Mr Stewart's decision to strip all the wallpaper throughout the property.

"The plasterwork repairs have now been authorised and Mr Stewart has been notified that the plasterer will attend to begin work."

Mr Stewart says he would have refused the property if he had realised the underlying problems.

He brought in his own plasterer but was told that the walls would just crumble again because of the dampness.

He also said that he was unable to have a gas cooker fitted because a Corgi-registered engineer told him the socket was too close to the appliance.

Housing official Ms Griffin said: "We have been notified of a potential issue regarding the socket in the kitchen and we are currently investigating the details of this to confirm if any action is required.

"We would like to clarify that prior to Mr Stewart being issued with keys, the property underwent a full gas and electrical safety check and inspection certificates were issued with no failures and a copy of the gas certificate was issued to Mr Stewart at sign up."

Colin had hoped to move into the house with his four children - Courtney, 16, Ashley, 15, Aiden, 13, and Colin, six, but they are now staying with his parents.

He added: "If it wasn't for them I would be homeless. There is no way I would move my children in there."