Run-down council flats could be shut down and sold off over fears tenants’ health is being put at risk.

Canterbury City Council says it is looking at selling off the Grade II listed building in Old Dover Road as there has been too little modernisation since the 1960s.

The council discussed in private the proposals to sell the site, called The Hoystings, on Wednesday.

The sale will prompt plenty of questions as to just why the building has not been maintained during such a period of housing and accommodation demand.

It is understood rather than fix the building, purchased by the council in the 1940s, it will be sold off.

Tenants, of which there are thought to be four, are, as yet, unaware of the plans. All would be required to move out.

A report drafted for the council cites a number of key issues.

It points to energy efficiency being poor and below the acceptable standard. Outdated electric heating and inadequate single glazed windows have resulted in the homes being left cold and expensive to heat, and there is no lift.

The report states: “It is difficult for tenants on a limited income to stay warm, which could adversely affect their health and lead them into fuel poverty.

“Levels of investment in repairs and maintenance have not kept pace with wear and tear, and higher repair expenditure is now required as a consequence. It has suffered from years of underinvestment and use of inappropriate materials and techniques to repair it.”

The report says the council’s housing arm, East Kent Housing, and its standard repairs contractors do not possess the skills and knowledge to properly care for the building - resulting in a recommendation the property should “no longer be used as council housing”. It also stresses the repair bill for a much-needed refurbishment of the flats will be hefty.

The report continues: “The council has been aware for some time that the condition of the property is not satisfactory for a responsible social landlord.

“An old building of this nature does not fit comfortably within the council’s social housing portfolio, which consists primarily of post-war houses and flats.”

Meanwhile, seemingly at odds with plans to sell off council flats, the authority is seeking to increase its temporary accommodation.

Figures show the council is spending five times more now than in 2013 to house people temporarily because it does not have enough permanent stock.

It is currently forking out £407,000 due to longer stays, compared to just £79,000 five years ago.

In order to reduce the escalating cost, the council is striving to introduce more temporary accommodation.

Existing hostels, including those in Old Dover Road - which left residents Amy Pay and Frankie Collins, pictured, in conditions described as being “worse than prison cells”, have been deemed no longer fit for purpose in providing family living - leading to a council pledge to renovate the properties.

A new law set to come into force next month has also triggered the authority to rethink its programme for helping the homeless.

The Homelessness Reduction Act will extend the council’s responsibilities meaning more temporary accommodation is needed to meet the new obligations - a further strain which will increase financial pressure on the authority.

Because of the act’s incoming introduction, it is predicted there will be an overall shortfall of 149 temporary accommodation spaces per year, meaning more spaces are needed.