Yasmina hoped for a new start, but has constant problems with Intermaris rental property

On June 28, 2021, Yasmina Thakoer was finally handed over the keys to her new home. The single mother was going through a difficult phase in her life and hoped the new place would provide her and her two sons, ages 11 and 15, with some peace of mind.

But soon Thakoer noticed that Intermaris’ rental home had many flaws. “I have had several failures of the central heating boiler, a water pipe has burst, causing my kitchen to flood and from October last year until last Tuesday I had black mold in my bathroom”, sums up the single mother.

The list is only a piece of cake of the total number of complaints that she reported to the Intermaris housing association. “I’ve only lived there for a year,” continues Thakoer. “But I’ve had complaints for ten years.”

From pillar to post

Thakoer did not let it go and constantly reported her problems to Intermaris, but she does not feel heard at all. “Last November, contractors hired by Intermaris went up on the roof to see if there was a leak. They told me there was, but I never got confirmation in black and white.”

After several insistence from the single mother at Intermaris, another roof inspection was done last Thursday. According to Thakoer, it appeared verbally again that there is a leak in the roof of her home. “When I heard that, I was boiling inside,” concludes the victim. “Because of course I knew that for a long time, but apparently it doesn’t end up in the Intermaris system or they just don’t want to solve it.”

Fungal Treatment

Last Tuesday, seven months after her first complaint, Thakoer’s bathroom finally received a fungus treatment. “The bathroom is shining again,” the mother laughs shyly, while standing in the bathroom and pointing at the ceiling. “It was black mold and at one point it got a very musty smell. That’s when I knew it was going to be dangerous.”

Thakoer’s eldest son (15) experienced many problems with his lungs in the house, but since he lives with his father in Amsterdam, those problems have disappeared. Her youngest son of 11 years also experienced severe complaints due to the toxic black mold.

“Two weeks ago he went to take a shower and then I suddenly heard that he turned off the tap prematurely,” says the mother. “Once I got up there he told me he was dizzy and I had only just held him when he passed out.”

Past issues

October last year reported NH Nieuws has already discussed moisture and mold problems in rental properties from Intermaris. The housing association says that those 27 official complaints, if reported, have been resolved. President Mensina Wijma, of tenants’ association De Boog, says that they have recently received only two complaints about Intermaris homes.

Meanwhile, Thakoer continues to be very concerned about her home and she also hears around her that Intermaris tenants still experience many problems. “Many tenants simply don’t have the energy to report it anymore,” expects the single mother. “Somehow I can understand that. Look, I just lived there. But suppose you’ve lived here for ten years and nothing is done with all your reports, then I can imagine that you give up.”

Group Tonnaer

In addition to the victimized tenant, Faction Tonnaer is also seriously concerned about the condition of many Intermaris rental properties. “In recent weeks we have again received various complaints from tenants,” says councilor Ellen van der Knaap, who lives in the Kersenboogerd and previously ask suggested to the college. “The reports include leaks, rotten windows and mold. I expect the problem to be much bigger than currently known, and that’s because tenants no longer have the energy or the energy to fight.”

NH Nieuws previously reported that there are performance agreements would be made between Intermaris, United Tenants Organization De Boog and the municipality of Hoorn. Chairman Mensina Wijma (De Boog) says that talks have already been held, but that nothing is on paper yet. “That will happen in the autumn,” concludes Wijma.