A woman fleeing domestic violence says she was devastated when her fresh start in a new home turned into a mould-filled nightmare.
Jayne Atkin, whose name we have changed to protect her identity, moved into the flat in Ryton, Gateshead, in 2021, after fleeing her previous home when her ex-partner found out where she was living, and looked forward to a second chance near to her brother and grown-up daughter and putting her past behind her.
But she says within months of moving in, black mould started to develop in her bedroom, and she soon found that she struggled to keep on top of it, spending half her income on cleaning products and heating in an attempt to keep it at bay. The mould covers the ceiling and walls in her bedroom and is now starting to develop in the sitting room. Gateshead Council fitted new loft insulation in August 2022, but Ms Atkin said this has made little or no difference.
Read more: Your rights if you are a tenant and your home develops mould
However when The Chronicle alerted Gateshead Council to Ms Atkin's predicament, they were swift to take action, moving her into a hotel with all expenses paid until her property was assessed.
"The mould is appalling," she said. "I used to be a cleaner but I just can't do anything about it. I scrub it endlessly but it just comes back time and time again. I have my heating on and I ventilate my home. The extractor fan does not work, which won't help, but I am at my wits' end about it.
"When I spoke to the council recently I told them I was having to drag my bed into the sitting room every night as I can't sleep in the bedroom, and my next move would be sleeping on the kitchen floor if the sitting room got much worse. I am in debt to my energy supplier just trying to keep on top of the mould but even then, it's not doing any good.
My experience with my ex-partner was horrific and has left me with mental health problems. I even find talking on the phone difficult and I can't invite my brother or daughter here for support because of the state of the place. I am the only woman in a block of six flats, which, given my history, is really stressful for me. I just want to move now."
A spokesman from Gateshead Council thanked The Chronicle for bringing Ms Atkin's predicament to the council's attention and said that although there was no record of any contact after the insulation was fitted, they took the matter very seriously and sent out an inspector the same day, who authorised Ms Atkin be moved into a hotel until a full investigation was carried out.
The council spokesperson said: "I can confirm a neighbourhood housing officer attended the tenant’s property in February 2022 following a report of condensation. A second visit occurred in June 2022, before the loft insulation was replaced entirely in August 2022 to improve heat retention.
"Gateshead Council has not received any further reports from the tenant regarding instances of condensation or mould, but we do take the issue seriously, and since you have brought this to our attention, we are contacting the tenant today offering to carry out a further inspection of her property to assess its condition and any required remedial works.
"I can also confirm that no application for rehousing has been received, nor any record of the tenant’s dissatisfaction with their current living situation. The tenant has been successfully contacted today, and has been immediately moved into alternative accommodation (hotel, with meal costs covered) while we assess the property."
Ms Atkin said: "I honestly can't thank the Chronicle enough for helping me. I felt I was getting nowhere and not it looks as if things may be happening. I have the Chronicle to thank for that."
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