My parents, both pensioners, have been tenants of Oxford City Council for nearly 44 years and not once have they been late with or not paid their rent.

The council fitted venetian blinds to their property. On more than one occasion the stick which opens and closes the blinds has broken. My father has telephoned the council before to request a repair and a workman has come out and fixed it.

Last week my father reported the stick had broken to be told “it’s now the tenant’s responsibility to replace various items in the home.”

I then called the council on my parents’ behalf, explaining that they were both pensioners and could not afford to repair the blinds, to be told that it is up to them to replace light bulbs, bath panels, venetian blinds, etc.

I asked if this information had been made public as my parents were unaware of this new system.

I kept being told was that it was my parents responsibility. No help was forthcoming in advising me of a company that could be contacted to do this repair and when my father enquired with a local firm he was told the call-out would be £65, without the labour and cost of the parts.

I do think that the advisors on the phone could be more helpful.

Jane Lewsey, The Homestead, Kidlington