Residents of Queen’s House apartment block are calling upon property management to take rapid action as security issues escalate, leaving some tenants feeling “unsafe” in their own homes.

Since last November, residents have seen a constant cycle of homeless people unlawfully entering the building.

Initially, they would occupy the basement, where residents found human waste and drug paraphernalia.

However, since a new company, Watson, took over management of the property in December, the situation has deteriorated rapidly.

Residents claim the unauthorised individuals began gaining entry to the main communal areas after they discovered the internal access code to enter the complex from the basement was broken.

In subsequent weeks, the individuals were found in various shared areas of the building; the third and fifth floors being the most commonly occupied areas. Residents again found discarded needles, as well as cigarette butts and even cups of urine.

Most recently, some residents have witnessed these individuals successfully managing to pry open the main door to gain access.

This ongoing security issue has left many residents, especially women, feeling fearful for their own safety.

Bruna, 28, has lived in the building for the past two years and says: “We cannot live like this. I’m really considering moving because it’s not safe for me anymore. The situation is out of control.

She added that has regularly felt so intimated entering the building and seeing homeless people taking drugs next to her flat, that times she has walked out of her own property to wait for police to remove the individuals.

Katerina, 26, lives on the fifth floor and says she has been made to feel so threatened that she and her female flatmate have felt “forced” to temporarily leave their flat, whilst still paying full rent.

Katerina who says she has contacted the new management describes the responses she has received as “vague”.

“Instead of trying to do the best for the building, they don’t even do the bare minimum,” she says.

She is now pleading to the management company to be more proactive. “Do something, do the best that you can, and what we deserve,” she said.

Since January 28 this year, the fire brigade has been called to the building three times.

The cause of the alarm was confirmed to be the same on each of the three occasions; smoking indoors by the homeless individuals.

When the fire brigade entered the building, they reported that eleven of these individuals were found congregating on the fifth floor.

This has left residents feeling even more distressed. One resident, who has asked to remain anonymous, spoke about the third time the fire brigade were called. “I felt anxious, upset, and frustrated – how could the conditions in this building have deteriorated so dramatically in just a few months?” she said.

“It is incredibly distressing to feel this way in the place that is supposed to be our sanctuary, yet I live with constant anxiety and the feeling that I cannot safely leave my own home.

“No one should have to live like this”.

Watson Property Management said: “Watson took over the management of Queen’s House in December, and since then we have been working closely with the previous managing agent to obtain full and accurate handover information for the building. In parallel, we have been engaging with key stakeholders—including a residents’ group, the developer, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, the police, and the local council—to address the issues currently affecting the development.

“Our priority is to ensure that all residents feel safe in their homes and that the building is managed to the highest possible standard. We are committed to taking the necessary actions, in collaboration with our partners, to resolve the challenges on site and to deliver the best possible experience for residents. Protecting the safety, interests, and assets of residents, leaseholders, and our clients is—and will remain—central to Watson’s approach.”