Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Chiara Pollock

Seriously ill Glasgow pensioner in city centre protest over damp and mould at Castlemilk flat

A seriously ill Glasgow pensioner fears for his health living in a mouldy and damp flat.

Martin Barrett suffers from emphysema and COPD and believes the difficult conditions in his Castlemilk home are making him sicker.

The 65-year-old took part in a protest at the headquarters of his landlord Wheatley Homes Glasgow today.

He was supported by tenants' rights campaign group Living Rent, who claim the social housing group "should be ashamed" at the state of Martin's home.

READ MORE: Leigh Griffiths rejoins Mandurah City as ex-Celtic star brings an end to long period without a club

He claims damp and black mould has spread through his flat to his kitchen and hall because only a partial repair was carried out when a ceiling collapsed in his bathroom.

Martin, who has lived in the flat for six years, said: "I've suffered with broken seals on my window panes that needed replacing for over six years. Then my bathroom ceiling collapsed and the hole was shored up by plywood.

"My flat is in such a state and it is down to the inaction of Wheatley Homes.

"Even my health is deteriorating."

Martin says damp in his home is damaging his health (Martin Barrett)
Martin and Living Rent group protest outside of Wheatley Homes Glasgow (Glasgow Live)

However, Wheatley insist they have tried and failed multiple times to get access to the property to carry out work.

A spokesman said: ""Some important facts need to be highlighted:

“The fact is we’ve been trying repeatedly since last April to carry out the outstanding work in the tenant’s flat. Unfortunately, on no less than 13 occasions, the tenant either wasn’t at home or wouldn’t allow us in.

"Also, all repairs to the ceiling were carried out a year ago.

“Only in the last week did the tenant give us access to his home.

"The plasterwork in the kitchen will be carried out shortly and the small patch of mould in the hallway will be fixed tomorrow morning."

Living Rent say they wrote to Wheatley's local housing director Eilidh Devenney November 2021 asking for a schedule of works for Martin's home, but it went unanswered.

Living Rent Secretary Samar said: "Wheatley Group, should be ashamed at their failure to bring Martin’s home to a tolerable stand and the direct impact this failure has had on his health and wellbeing."

READ NEXT:

Glasgow bar worker sacked after finding money being taken from wages sues boss

Tributes to 'smashing' Airdrie grandad Martin Simpson after body found in police search

Heavy snow in Glasgow to cause two days of disruption across the city

Lanarkshire neighbours 'over the moon' after scooping £300k in Postcode Lottery win

Glasgow pensioner's stolen £20k handed over to drug dealer by thieving carer to pay off son's debt

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.