Tenant claims mould is runing health

[Guest guest]

Tenant claims mould is runing health

Wigan Observer - Wigan,England,UK*

http://www.wigantoday.net/wigan-news?articleid=3076570

A council tenant claims that excessive mould in her home is ruining

her health.

Barbara Webster, of Blackthorn Avenue, Beech Hill, says she has been

back and forth to the doctors countless times since she moved into

the two-bedroomed property five years ago, and is now calling on

housing bosses to eradicate the problem for good.

Black patches of mould are visible on the ceiling in an upstairs

bedroom as well as on the landing where strips of wallpaper are

hanging off.

Mrs Webster claims she has contacted Wigan and Leigh Housing NINE

times but nothing has been done to help her. However housing staff

dispute that.

She said: " It is disgusting. The walls are wet through and our

clothes smell of mould. How would they like to live in a house full

of mould and damp?

" I have been under the doctor because of all this. I've been really

ill, my nose has been like a waterfall and my son is just coughing

all the time. He has been very unwell too.

" I have had to change the duvets so many times because they have

become mouldy. It's awful having to sleep in these conditions.

People from Wigan and Leigh Housing have been out to see me and they

say they are going to do something but then nothing ever happens. "

Mrs Webster, 50, says the trouble started as soon as she moved into

the property in 2002 along with her 26-year-old son .

She said: " I called them out as soon as I knew something was wrong

but it has been going on far too long now.

" I have even sent photographs of the mould and damp to the office so

they know what it looks like but they just never turn up when they

say they will. "

Wigan and Leigh Housing staff say they are aware of the problem but

believe it is largely due to condensation caused by windows not

being opened.

A spokesman said: " We have ordered some work to try to alleviate the

situation and fitted an airbrick back in April.

" However workmen have called on several occasions and been unable to

gain access.

" Despite them leaving cards, Mrs Webster has not got back with a

suitable time for us to do the work.

" We do want to help wherever possible, but we also need tenants to

help us. "