Basingstoke resident frustrated over Sovereign's inaction

Erwin Ryszka, of Haydn Road, has been renting a garage in the same road for several years, initially for storage purposes during house renovations and later for personal projects like furniture restoration.

However, what was once a useful space has now become a source of stress and disappointment due to a persistent leak.

Erwin Ryszka in front of his leaking garage (Image: Contributed)

Mr Ryszka, who works as both a driver and a DJ, told the Gazette: "I noticed there's a lot of damp and damage, especially by the walls. We've got a hole in the roof and it's collapsing on one side.

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"When it's raining heavily, it makes everything wet on the back of the garage, and that causes a lot of humidity inside. So I can't keep anything that requires dry storage because it's just too wet inside."

The problem didn't arise overnight, Mr Ryszka brought the issue to Sovereign's attention in September last year.

The state of Erwin Ryszka's garage because of a leak (Image: Contributed)

After initial assessments and promises of repairs, he said the communication from the housing provider became 'sporadic and unproductive'.

"Their communication is so bad. Every time they do anything, you have to chase them," Mr Ryszka said.

"Finally they gave me an appointment for January 2024, which I wasn't too happy about it. But I said okay, that's fine because as long as somebody can attend and fix the garage, it will still be good for springtime when I was planning to do the furniture restoration project."

However, Mr Ryszka was met with further disappointment when Sovereign failed to show up without any notice.

The items inside the garage are getting damaged because of the leak (Image: Contributed)

"I heard nothing from them on the day they were supposed to be here. When I rang them they said that the roofers were coming in late during the day. Then about half an hour later, someone rang me again to say they wouldn't be coming because they got something more important to do.

"They gave me a new appointment for April 26, which I just thought was absolutely ridiculous. 

"I think it's reasonable if something's really urgent. Then you could move an appointment by one or two days, but moving straight away three months in advance, it's just joking."

The state of Erwin Ryszka's garage because of a leak (Image: Contributed)

Mr Ryszka's frustration is compounded by the fact that he feels trapped in the situation.

With no alternative garages available nearby, he feels compelled to stick with Sovereign despite its lack of action.

"It's just very stressful because it's just one of these things I don't need in my life - to be trying to change a stupid garage.

"I've now given them 20 days before I will take the matter to court because I've been waiting long enough. They're not fixing it."

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For Mr Ryszka, the issue extends beyond a leaky garage; it's a matter of principle.

"In my opinion, I don't believe that the customer should be paying for something that is not fit for purpose," he said. 

"If they want people to wait forever, then that's fine. If they don't want to get any money from it, I'm happy not to pay for it and wait until they fix it."

After Mr Ryszka shared his concerns, the Gazette went to Sovereign for a comment.

The company has since been in contact with Mr Ryszka and offered to fix the garage next week.

An SNG spokesperson said: "SNG has been in contact with Mr Ryszka since the leak was first reported and we expect to repair the garage next week (w/c 19 February).

"Our team has also offered Mr Ryszka an alternative garage, either as a permanent or temporary measure but these options have been declined."

Mr Ryszka said the alternative garage Sovereign offered was not viable for him as it was away from his house.

"The fact that they offered the alternative garage after I went to the Gazette is disappointing. They should have at least done that when I first complained in September, not when I went to the media five months later," Mr Ryszka added.