A family of seven spend as much time as possible away from their mould infested council house as their health fears grow.
Six years ago Rebecca Bowden moved into a three bedroom house in Exeter, Devon with her husband and five children.
Mould was an issue from the start of their time in the council house and it has only got worse in the years since.
It is now such a problem that the Bowden family avoids staying at home where possible as Rebecca's mental health continues to deteriorate.
The 35-year-old said: "My house is riddled with mould.
"It’s always been there and was manageable before because we just had black spots and could wash it away, but it would come back and within the last six months it has been getting worse.
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“I complained to the council last October and they did nothing for two months.
"Then they came out and at the end of February the house had anti-mould treatment, but it’s coming back.
"I was told it was back because of the amount of people living in the house.
“Two weeks someone came out to check the walls and air within the house, and last week we had another vent put in the loft."
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The mould problem has spread to Rebecca's 15-year-old son's room, meaning he has been forced to move in with his 10 and 11-year-old sisters.
She said: “I have my windows open every day as that’s what I’m told to do and we have no furniture touching the walls or ceiling.
“I’ve asked to be rehoused but the council have said I have to bid like everyone else. Our house does not have adequate living space for our family.
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"It’s a tiny house and they think it’s acceptable for my husband and I to be sleeping in the front room.
“I’m taking anti-depressants because it’s causing me depression and anxiety.
"I don’t want to be in the house because of the mould so I get up early so we can leave and I stay out all day.
"It’s impacting massively on our family and my marriage.
“The council don’t understand how it impacts on your life and mental state. I’m just told there are people in worse situations than me.”
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A spokesperson for Exeter City Council said it was working with a contractor to resolve the issue.
They added: “When the tenancy was allocated in 2012, the property was of an adequate size to meet the families need.
"We are aware this is no longer the situation and that the tenant is on the Devon Home Choice waiting list and is actively bidding for properties as they become available.
"Unfortunately the demand for social housing - in particular, larger family homes - is such that a property has not become available in the timescales Mrs Bowden had hoped for.”
