A FORMER rough sleeper claims he lived off takeaways after moving into a property without a cooker last year.

Mathew Hatch-Diespecker, aged 29, said Fortis Living failed to refit his kitchen.

He claims that left him with a shoddy kitchen with a layout that doesn't allow him to install both a cooker and a washing machine.

He says he ate fast-food for five months until he managed to install a cooker, and is still living without a washing machine.

However, the housing association said the property will soon be renovated, adding that the resident is responsible for his own home appliances.

Mr Hatch-Diespecker, of Rodborough Drive, Worcester, said: "It's making me feel down about everything.

"The kitchen is meant to be the heart of the home and if the heart is not working properly how's the rest of the body meant to work properly.

"When I moved in a year ago I was told I was due to have a few things updated in my house. None of it has been done to date.

"They said the kitchen was meant to be fitted up-to-date within two months of me moving in.

"I am frustrated that they have failed to provide the correct layout as it means I am unable to have both a cooker and a washing machine."

He cannot fit a washing machine in his kitchen because the plumbing means it would be opposite the cooker.

He said there would only be around 20 centimetres of space between the two devices, which would prevent him from opening the doors.

He added: "Before I got the cooker in I had to get food every day, it was costing me money and it was an inconvenience. I had to pretty much live off takeaways."

Luckily, Mr Hatch-Diespecker was able to get a cooker from his father, who lives in Thailand, in October.

However he still has no washing machine. He said: "My grandmother's currently helping me do washing. She collects it from me.

"If I can't get in touch with her I have to go to the laundrettes in town and it costs me about £2.50 per load. It's too expensive."

He said he tries to avoid bothering his grandmother and does not have the best relationship with his mother.

Mr Hatch-Diespecker, who suffers from epilepsy and fibromyalgia, was made homeless in 2013, after suffering a mental breakdown and falling behind on rent.

He said his current situation is playing on his mental health.

Fortis Living said it is not responsible for providing a cooker or a washing machine for Mr Hatch-Diespecker and added that it plans to refit his kitchen this year.

Mark Bell, the association's assets and compliance manager, said: "Fortis Living runs an ongoing programme of kitchen replacements for our properties.

"The majority of these are unfurnished lets which means it is the tenant’s responsibility to provide and fit white goods and cookers.

"This particular kitchen is on our programme for this year and we will be meeting with the tenant shortly to discuss design options."

Fortis Living said its refit programme, which includes new kitchen units, worktops, tiling, painting, sinks, flooring and lights, is running on schedule.