A FULL-TIME carer who supports her husband in his fight with dementia is having her own battle with housing bosses to keep their home dry.

Senga Hood, 61, says the roof of her and husband Syd's tenement in Pine Street has been neglected by building factors River Clyde Homes and now owners are being asked to pay the price.

The couple have lived in the flat for 22 years and have been plagued with leaks coming into the property.

Senga said: "I have had leaks in all the rooms except one bedroom and the living room.

"We had water coming in the bedroom last October.

"I was worried because it was near the light fitting.

"The guys came up and they told me they would make it safe for me by shaking the water off the tarpaulin in the loft - that was to make it safe."

The couple's lives changed eight years ago when Syd was diagnosed with mixed dementia, Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, at the age of only 54.

He was unaware that he had suffered a series of mini-strokes which caused the dementia.

Grandmother Senga gave up her job at the local post office to look after Syd as his full-time carer.

She says the problems with repairs are adding to an already stressful situation.

Senga said: "I've got my husband to look after.

"He needs 24-hour care, it is at an advanced stage.

"I don't have time to be making complaints."

Senga was hopeful when scaffolding was recently erected at the back of the property.

Her son called the RCH offices to ask how when the scaffolding would reach his parents' part of the roof but got no clarity.

She and her family were so incensed they initiated a 'stage 1' complaint to River Clyde Homes.

They were told they'd get a response by May 24 but say they received no reply.

Now, to add insult to injury, Senga has received a letter saying the total cost of the work will be £5,600 plus an additional £2,000 for the hire of scaffolding.

Split six ways across the block, this will cost the Hoods £1,266 plus their share of the weekly hire rate of £249 for the scaffolding.

But she has little faith that the work will even fix the issue.

Senga told the Telegraph: "It's the material that is the problem.

"The workmen told me that they're using cheap tiles which are no use for this climate.

"It's ridiculous.

"I'm quite happy to pay for a new roof - it's just been a patch up job her and there.

"It's not solving the problem."

She said the men didn't even go up the loft to assess the cost of the job and instead stood out on the street and looked up.

She said: "It's a joke."

The Telegraph looked in the communal loft in the close and found old tiles, electrical wire, the remnants of insulation and tarpaulin.

Senga said: "I'm worried we will spend all that money and if there is a storm, the same thing is going to happen again.

"It's throwing good money after bad.

"I'm concerned about the joists as well, they must be sodden with the rain getting in."

River Clyde Homes say they are carrying out a temporary repair while they look at a full roof replacement.

Richard Orr, senior project manager, said: “While we are mindful of the financial impact major repairs can have on factored owners, we do have a duty to ensure the properties we manage are kept wind and watertight.

"Two separate jobs were required to the roof of this property due to water ingress – one to the rear and one at the front which requires a separate scaffold.

“The works are a temporary repair to prevent water ingress while consideration is given to a full replacement.

"The materials used are the most efficient means to carry out these works and keep costs down for homeowners and will not affect the quality of the repairs taking place.

“As soon as we have details of full roof replacement we will contact owners with a plan and finance option however we will need their agreement for the works to take place.

“We will arrange for a visit to be made to inspect the reports of the materials in the loft space.”