Residents at an Ipswich tower block have spoken of the financial and mental burden they have been left with a year on after a leak forced them out of their homes.

St Francis Tower had seen its first flood on July 2, 2023, and the residents were soon evacuated.

Many have expressed their annoyance at the management group, Inspired Property Management (IPM) - as they believe the communication has been "unacceptable". 

As a result, the people who lived there said that the experience has caused them huge financial burdens, mental stress and general discomfort. 

IPM has been approached for a comment.

Residents have been annoyed by the management's communication.Residents have been annoyed by the management's communication. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Danny Fox, a resident of the building said: "We weren't told about getting our belongings from the building until the last minute - and even changed the locks to the tower without telling us.

"The idea of not living in your own house for an entire year has become mentally taxing, and I just want my home."

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Ross Bonner, right, said the situation causes extreme stress and financial burden to those involved.Ross Bonner, right, said the situation causes extreme stress and financial burden to those involved. (Image: Ross Bonner)

Like Mr Fox, Ross Bonner, who owns four flats on the 10th floor of the tower said: "The whole situation causes extreme stress and a huge financial burden to all involved. 

"It's looking likely, we won't be able to access the building for a further 12 months as well."

He added that the unforeseen circumstance has ended up bringing the community together, as they now have built a leaseholder committee to keep each other informed. 

They even have a plan to meet later this month and discuss their experience of not being in their homes for this long. 

As a result of such meetings, the leaseholders have been able to meet IPM to discuss the property. However, they still have many questions left unanswered.