The contractor responsible for the energy renovation of Block No. 1 in the Dimitаr Blagoev residential complex in Sevlievo will carry out interior repairs at its own expense in four of the apartments affected by leaks. The repairs are due to begin next week, Mayor Ivan Ivanov said.
The mayor’s promise came in response to a question from municipal councillor Dimitar Tonev ahead of the regular meeting of the Municipal Council on August 25, and following widespread public outrage over Za Istinata’s report on the condition of the apartments after the “successful” completion of the renovation, as described by Sevlievo Municipality.
A total of eight apartments in Entrance E were affected by the leaks,
caused by torrential rains last autumn, when the entrance’s roof had been stripped during the renovation works.
According to the mayor’s response, four of the apartments have already had the damage repaired. Three of the repaired apartments are in Entrance E and one is in Entrance B.
Based on information provided by the mayor, repairs to three of the apartments cost a total of €4,810, with the entire amount covered by the contractor. No cost was given for the fourth apartment.
Four apartments are still waiting for repairs
In one of them, the owners are demanding a complete renovation of the walls, ceilings and flooring.
The contractor has agreed to repair the damage caused by the leaks — removing the wallpaper and repainting the areas where the plaster has been damaged.
The ceilings in the apartment are covered with panels which, according to the mayor’s response, were not damaged by the flooding. However, the response states that once the panels are removed, the plaster will have to be repaired, skimmed and repainted.
In another apartment, the contractor has not been given access to inspect the property and document the damage.
The third apartment is in “a dire condition” as a result of very old leaks and a lack of maintenance, the mayor explained. According to him, the flat requires a major renovation, making it impossible to carry out only partial repairs related to the damage caused by the latest leaks.
In the fourth apartment, the repair materials have already been delivered, but workers are waiting for the owners to return to Sevlievo so that access to the property can be arranged.
Za Istinata reported on the problems on August 21. The article, “Apartments in Sevlievo Uninhabitable After €1 Million Renovation Under Recovery Plan”, showed
homes with leaks, mould and serious damage to walls and ceilings.
In one of the apartments, moisture caused a short circuit, while an 80-year-old woman living in a neighbouring flat was forced to leave her home because of the damage.
The building renovation was financed under Bulgaria’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, while the contract with the contractor, Kliner ST, is worth nearly BGN 2.2 million including VAT.
The contract states that the contractor must remedy, at its own expense, identified defects and errors made during the works.
The latest development comes just days after the publication and after the issue was raised before the Municipal Council.
It remains to be seen when the damage in all affected apartments will finally be repaired.
In his response, the mayor of Sevlievo did not comment on whether the gutter discharging water directly in front of Entrance E would remain in its current state. However, he was not asked about it.
Presumably, when the contractor returns to repair the consequences of its own work, it will notice that as well.
