The dream house became a nightmare - eight years of struggle against the municipality

She had only lived there for three weeks when the problems began.

The first was that the basement was filled with 80 centimeters of wastewater.

- It was on Christmas Eve, when I had relatives and friends here, she says.

After that, an eight-year battle against Kalmar municipality began.

The dispute is about whose fault it is that her house is damaged by water.

Charlotte Åkerlind has repeatedly contacted Kalmar municipality to fix the stormwater pipes around her house.

- Every time it rains, it flows into my house.

I have had so much destroyed due to rainwater, she says.

"The tiled stove first collapsed"

Charlotte walks around her house and shows cracks and settlements in the house.

- Water is being filled from below and the house has been so damaged.

First the tiled stove collapsed, then the kitchen furniture and my kitchen fan collapsed.

The house's old windows are taken down and are upside down inside the house.

Around the outer facade of the house, part of the panel is taken down.

For long periods she has not been able to live in the house due to moisture and damage.

As a property owner, have you really done everything you need to do for your home?

- I have had Anticimex here which says that I have done everything I can.

I have had representatives of Växjö municipality here, who say that I have done everything I can do.

It is the water that must be removed, says Charlotte Åkerlind.

Investigation shows shortcomings

The problems with moisture and water have not yet been solved for Charlotte Åkerlind.

Earlier this year, Kalmar municipality decided to let Växjö municipality investigate where the error is and what measures must be taken.

That investigation shows that there are shortcomings in Kalmar municipality's water supply network and that the responsibility for rectifying the shortcomings lies with the municipality.

Kalmar municipality has now decided to restore the land area to a maintained condition, and make a stormwater investigation for parts of the Old Town in Kalmar.

When do you think she will be able to live in her house again?

- I will not comment on that, because I am not an expert on such things.

But the measures we take, we do them quickly, says Johan Persson (S) municipal councilor in Kalmar.