Tenants in a house owned by former Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock say they are fed up with its substandard condition – which included a dead rat in the cellar.
Students at the home in the Arboretum discovered the rotting rodent, rubbish in the back garden and mould on floors.
The group spoke out after still suffering problems despite complaining to Blackstock and management company Student Living.
Mould is in several places on the floor and walls at the house on Addison Street, and some smoke alarms are broken.
Student Living said working with Blackstock has been “a nightmare”. He denies dodging responsibility for the house and says he will switch to a new management firm.
Student Living, based on North Sherwood Street, said it had gone “above and beyond” for the tenants and claim they even went out and bought furniture missing from the rooms.
Tenant Frankie Linsley said: “The house was in a really bad state of disrepair, there was a massive tip of rubbish out the back, a bin with maggots in it, there was a dead rat in the basement, numerous other things.
“There’s just no matter of urgency with anything.”
A representative of Dexter Blackstock told Notts TV News: “He has never refused to carry out any repair work at all the flats.
“He feels that the blame lies squarely with Student Livings poor management, and complete lack of communication with the tenants has caused this situation to escalate, leaving the tenants unhappy.
“Mr Blackstock would like to assure his tenants that any outstanding maintenance issues will be taken care of as a matter of urgency.”
His representative added that last month Blackstock spent £6,000 on repairs and has been difficult to contact due to the nature of his work.
Blackstock currently plays for Rotherham United after leaving Forest in the summer following a seven-year spell, during which he played more than 160 games for the Reds.
