“I love my flat and I like the area, but they seem to be ignoring my pleas” said the 61-year-old asthmatic, who lives in a Sanctuary Housing Association property in Houston Road, Rugby.

Mr. Ashenden has suffered multiple heart attacks and had to give up work early. He would like a shower installed, as he frequently gets stuck in the bath, but says he has been told his application for a more suitable bathroom has ‘been lost’.

He says he has been asking for a new kitchen for eight years – since he moved into the property – but his requests fall on deaf ears.

“All my neighbours have new kitchens, but not me, for some reason. And one of the residents has recently left, and that flat has been completely renovated ready for new tenants. Living like this is depressing me. I’m already on a number of different pills, and I really don’t want to add anti-depressants to the list!”

The former chauffeur says he feels the housing association is always cutting corners.

He said: “It’s so frustrating, because if I was fit, I would do a lot of the work myself. They are cowboys. I have seen them patch up cracks rather than re-plaster, mend things with superglue, and a window I was told would be replaced was simply screwed back together. It’s a disgrace.”

Regional manager Christa Ripley said: “Sanctuary is working on a programme to install new kitchens across all its schemes in the West Midlands. We advised Mr Ashenden in September that his property would be placed on the waiting list for a new kitchen. We anticipate the work will be completed in early 2010.”

The manager said the association has no record of a previous application for adaptations to the bathroom at Mr Ashenden’s home.

“However, where major adaptations are necessary we will usually refer the resident to an occupational therapist to provide an assessment of their needs and make a subsequent recommendation,” she said.

“As a not-for-profit organisation, Sanctuary has limited funds and most major adaptations require additional grant funding which is generally obtained from the local authority. Staff from Sanctuary Midlands would be able to help Mr Ashenden with this application.”

Mrs. Ripley said the association does understand the importance of independent living and said they would be contacting Mr Ashenden to discuss his needs and the options available to him, “which may include referral to an occupational therapist, or applying for alternative accommodation such as a ground floor property.”