Angry residents say they are "embarrassed to live" in their properties – branding their homes as being "like prison".

Those living in shared ownership flats in Hubert Walter Drive, Maidstone, have hit out at their housing association over continual issues including rats, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

Owner MHS Homes is aware of the complaints and is working to resolve them.

Tenants have raised multiple issues, including rats running around outside their balconies due to rubbish being dumped.

They have also had dirty nappies left in their parking spaces, bike sheds broken into and believe building checks have not been completed with vegetation left to grow out of control.

Many are paying for services such as window cleaning and general cleaning of the block which have been lacking.

A 30-year-old, who did not wish to be identified, has been fighting to get his worries resolved since January and claims only the rat problem has been solved.

He said: "We have to live like this. I have been trying to get them to do something and am so stressed but I am not going to give up.

"We are stuck here and trapped with no help. We have nothing and cannot sell it due to the issues. This is now the only option we have got. People just want to get out of here."

Another resident who moved in six years ago had been attempting to get small issues fixed but stopped after he claims he waited for four years to get anything done.

The 56-year-old added: "I have given up. We are not living here, we are existing. This place makes me embarrassed to live here.

"When we first moved in it was lovely, it was ideal but as the years have gone by it has become un-liveable. I just want to live my life here without any of this bother.

"Since this block was built, we have been left to fend for ourselves. MHS Homes has forgotten about us."

His wife added: "I like our flat. I should not have to feel like I need to move. If MHS Homes did what they said I would not mind. It is hell."

Their 65-year-old neighbour said she felt like she was "in prison".

Dan Bennson, who also lives in the block, agreed saying he does not feel his home lives up to the expectation of what he has been sold.

He said: "It is ridiculous. The problem is when we first moved in it was nice. We are now stuck. I was one of the first to move in but it is disgusting how we have now been treated.

"We have had to stick together a lot more now because of the issues we are facing. It is a cowboy firm, this is not a real housing association. This is not what we were promised."

Many of the residents in the flat block said they are thinking of moving due to the issues if they continue to be ignored.

In emails seen by KentOnline, MHS Homes officers have said residents will be refunded for the past two years of window cleaning services, contractors have been out to look at the building issues raised and the teams have been bought in to solve the rat issue.

They have also addressed and explained the steps they are taking to resolve the other issues raised including lighting, codes for bin stores and parking.

Simon Hague, interim housing director at MHS Homes, commented: "Where we do not get [things] right, we aim to resolve issues as soon as possible. Our customers have made us aware of several issues, which we are addressing.

"We want customers to be proud of where they live and would like to apologise if they have not felt this way.

"We want to reassure our customers that their issues are a priority and being taken seriously.

"We will continue to take action, communicate with our customers, and work with them to put things right as quickly as we can so they can be proud of where they live."